Metropolitan Museum of Art Cancels John Galliano Exhibit

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has cancelled its planned exhibit honoring British designer John Galliano. This decision was made following backlash from the Jewish community and others due to Galliano’s past antisemitic and racist remarks.

The spring Costume Institute exhibit, previously titled “John Galliano: Horizons,” was set to launch with the annual Met Gala next May. The museum announced Monday that a different exhibit will take its place. Max Hollein, the museum’s director and CEO, stated, “Following thoughtful discussions with John Galliano, we have together decided not to proceed with the exhibition.” Galliano expressed his agreement, saying, “I have decided, with great sadness, that it is best for the exhibition not to take place at this time. I remain fully accountable for the pain caused by my words in the past, particularly the hurt I caused to the Jewish and Asian communities, and I remain deeply sorry for it.”

Galliano’s Past Controversies

John Galliano, known for his creatively flamboyant designs, was once a leading figure in the fashion world as Christian Dior’s creative director. He was dismissed from Dior after a series of racist and antisemitic comments made during 2010 and 2011 came to light, leading to his conviction in an antisemitism trial in France. Some of his offensive statements included, “I love Hitler” and suggesting to Jewish patrons that their ancestors would have been “gassed.” He also made derogatory comments towards an Asian patron.

Following these incidents, Galliano dedicated several years to personal and public rehabilitation efforts. In 2014, he began working at Paris fashion house Maison Margiela, where he stayed for a decade. At the Costume Institute, he was poised to join only two other living designers with a solo show.

Responses to the Decision

Anna Wintour, Vogue’s global editorial director and a leading figure in fashion, supported Galliano’s decision to step aside from the exhibit. Wintour described the move as “very courageous” and appropriate, also extending her full support to both Galliano and the Museum. Andrew Bolton, the Costume Institute’s longtime curator, echoed this sentiment, agreeing with the decision due to the concern it had caused.

When initially announced, the Met had aimed for the exhibit to candidly examine Galliano’s past errors. They engaged in discussions with Jewish community leaders in an effort to prevent backlash, but these were ultimately ineffective.

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, a key critic, expressed relief at the cancellation. “From the beginning, I have told them that I strongly disagreed with this decision, and at this rising time of antisemitism, it had served as a gut punch to the Jewish community,” said Menin, a daughter of a Holocaust survivor. There was also a concern about the timing of the Met Gala, which in 2027 falls on Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Public Reactions

Jonathan Greenblatt, chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League, voiced his opposition to the planned exhibit, describing it as “the wrong move at the wrong moment.” He shared that he had met with Hollein and a Met board member to advocate for the cancellation. Greenblatt acknowledged Galliano’s attempts to make amends for his past remarks but noted the inappropriate timing for such recognition.

Rabbi David Ingber, senior director for Jewish life at the Bronfman Center at 92NY, also commended Galliano’s choice to withdraw from the honor, emphasizing the difference between personal redemption and receiving a major accolade. “It wasn’t that the Met was merely studying Galliano’s work,” said Ingber. “It was a solo exhibition that would be launched at the gala, and that would be an act of institutional celebration of his work. Galliano hasn’t been erased … the question was whether the Met should build its most glamorous annual gala celebration around him.”