John Galliano withdraws from Met Gala exhibition over past comments
Designer cites accountability for racist and antisemitic remarks in decision to postpone retrospective.
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British fashion designer John Galliano has withdrawn from a 2027 exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that was set to honour his career. The exhibition, planned to run from May 2027 to January 2028, would also have provided the theme for the 2027 Met Gala.
Galliano, 65, announced his decision via an Instagram statement, explaining that he had decided it was best for the exhibition not to proceed at this time. He stated, “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.”
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The designer added that he understood meaningful atonement is not achieved through institutional recognition or a single public gesture, but is a continuing responsibility demonstrated through conduct over time. He expressed a desire not to place the Met in a difficult position or distract from the work of the Costume Institute, acknowledging that an exhibition honouring his work would be painful for some.
Museum Confirms Postponement
The Metropolitan Museum of Art confirmed the decision to postpone the exhibition following discussions with Galliano. Max Hollein, the museum's director and chief executive, stated that the exhibition would not proceed. Vogue global editorial director Dame Anna Wintour described Galliano's decision to ask for the postponement as courageous.
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The free permanent collection holds Michelangelo’s Taddei Tondo and a 16th‑century copy of Leonardo’s Last Supper, while new shows include Richard Dadd, Painting the French Riviera and Peggy Guggenheim in London.
Dame Anna Wintour commented that she believed it was the right decision and that Galliano and the museum had her full support. She praised his imagination and craft, calling him a master of cut, fit, and colour, and noted his impact reverberates across generations.
Past Controversies
Galliano's withdrawal follows past controversies regarding racist and antisemitic remarks. In 2011, a French court convicted him of a hate crime for public antisemitic comments made at a cafe. Footage later emerged of a separate incident where he appeared to make abusive remarks in a bar, including the phrase “I love Hitler”.
These incidents led to his dismissal from Dior, where he had served as creative director. He was subsequently convicted of public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race, or ethnicity, receiving a suspended fine of 6,000 euros (£5,000).
Galliano was set to be only the third living designer to be honoured by the Met, following Yves Saint Laurent in 1983 and Rei Kawakubo in 2017. The exhibition was to be titled John Galliano: Horizons. The Met has not yet announced any plans to replace the exhibition, leaving the theme for the 2027 Met Gala currently undecided.
Questions this report answers
+Why has the John Galliano exhibition at the Met Gala been postponed?
John Galliano has withdrawn from the exhibition planned for 2027, citing his accountability for past racist and antisemitic remarks. He stated that he did not want the controversy surrounding him to place the museum in a difficult position or distract from the Costume Institute's work.
+What were John Galliano's past comments?
In 2011, John Galliano was convicted of a hate crime in France for public antisemitic comments. Footage also emerged of him making abusive remarks in a bar, including the phrase 'I love Hitler'. These comments caused significant hurt, particularly to Jewish and Asian communities.
+When was the exhibition planned to take place?
The exhibition honouring John Galliano's career was scheduled to run at the Metropolitan Museum of Art from May 2027 until January 2028. His work was also intended to be the theme for the 2027 Met Gala event.
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