The planned John Galliano 2027 Met Gala exhibition has been cancelled following growing public backlash.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced the decision on Monday. The museum had revealed the controversial designer as the subject of its 2027 Costume Institute exhibition only weeks earlier.
Galliano will now no longer be honoured through the exhibition. His planned showcase, titled John Galliano: Horizons, was expected to explore the link between artistic success and ethical accountability.
Why Was the Exhibition Cancelled?
The decision follows renewed criticism of Galliano’s past. The British designer was fired by Dior in 2011 after videos showed him making antisemitic remarks in a Paris café.
He was later found guilty of making “public insults” based on origin, religion, race or ethnicity. His comments included the widely condemned statement,
“I love Hitler.”
The controversy became even more sensitive because the 2027 Met Gala falls on Yom HaShoah. The day is observed as a remembrance of the Holocaust.
Galliano Responds to the Backlash
Galliano said he had decided to withdraw the exhibition after serious reflection.
“After much reflection and discussion with all those involved, I have decided, with great sadness, that it is best for the exhibition not to take place at this time,” he said.
He also accepted responsibility for his past actions. Galliano said he remained “deeply sorry” for the pain caused to Jewish and Asian communities.
Meanwhile, Andrew Bolton, the Costume Institute curator, backed the decision. He acknowledged “the pain and concern this exhibition has caused.”
Anna Wintour Supports the Decision
Vogue’s Anna Wintour also welcomed the cancellation. She called Galliano’s decision “very courageous and a measure of the man he is.”
“I believe this is the right decision,” Wintour added.
The controversy has now ended plans for one of fashion’s most talked-about exhibitions. However, Galliano’s creative legacy and past actions will likely continue to spark debate.
For now, the Met has chosen accountability over a celebration that had already attracted intense criticism.
