Met Museum Cancels 2027 John Galliano Exhibition

The Metropolitan Museum of Art will no longer hold its planned 2027 exhibition on fashion designer John Galliano following growing criticism over his past racist and antisemitic remarks.

The exhibition, titled “John Galliano: Horizons,” was announced on July 31 and was scheduled to be the Costume Institute’s spring 2027 exhibition. Galliano would have been only the third living designer to receive a major Costume Institute exhibition, after Yves Saint Laurent in 1983 and Rei Kawakubo in 2017.

Galliano, 65, was one of fashion’s most influential designers in the 1990s and 2000s. He led Dior from 1997 to 2011 and later served as creative director of Maison Margiela from 2014 to 2024.

His career was severely damaged in 2011 after he was filmed making antisemitic comments and expressing admiration for Adolf Hitler at a Paris restaurant. He was later convicted in France of two hate-related offenses and fined.

In a statement, Galliano said he was grateful to the Met for the honor but had decided, after discussions with the museum, that the exhibition should not take place “at this time.” He acknowledged the pain caused by his past actions, particularly to Jewish and Asian communities, and said that atonement requires continued accountability and personal growth.

“I remain deeply sorry for it,” Galliano said.

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who supported the exhibition, said Galliano’s decision was “very courageous” and that she believed it was the right choice. She also praised his influence on modern fashion and his technical and creative achievements.

The decision came amid increasing pressure on the museum. The New York Times reported that some Met trustees and donors had raised concerns about the exhibition. Some donors reportedly threatened to withdraw financial support if the show went ahead.

The controversy was also linked to the fact that Yom HaShoah, Israel’s Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day, will fall on the traditional date of the 2027 Met Gala. The museum had reportedly considered moving the gala to the following week.

The Met has not yet announced a replacement exhibition or the date and theme of the 2027 Met Gala.