
The Metropolitan Museum of Art and British fashion designer John Galliano announced on Monday that a planned 2027 retrospective of his work at the museum’s Costume Institute would not proceed. The exhibition, titled “John Galliano: Horizons,” was set to run from May 9, 2027, to Jan. 9, 2028, and would have been the centerpiece of the annual Met Gala.
In a joint statement, Max Hollein, the museum’s director and CEO, said, “Following thoughtful discussions with John Galliano, we have together decided not to proceed with the exhibition.” Galliano posted a message on Instagram stating, “After much reflection and discussion with The Met and all those involved, 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.”
The decision follows weeks of backlash over Galliano’s past antisemitic and racist remarks. In 2011, video footage surfaced showing Galliano making antisemitic comments, including “I love Hitler,” at a Paris café while intoxicated. He was subsequently fired by Dior and convicted in a French court of public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race, or ethnicity. The court fined him €6,000.
Criticism of the planned exhibition intensified after its announcement in late July. The New York Times reported that political leaders and Jewish donors, including New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, publicly opposed the show. Menin issued a statement on Monday praising the cancellation, saying, “After my numerous and lengthy meetings and conversations with The Met, I am pleased that they have agreed to not honor John Galliano.”
Galliano, 65, was born in Gibraltar and rose to prominence in the 1990s as a leading figure in fashion, serving as creative director of Givenchy and later Dior. After his 2011 fall from grace, he underwent rehabilitation and returned to the industry in 2014 as creative director of Maison Margiela, a role he held for a decade. In March 2026, Zara announced a collaboration with Galliano to rework past designs, with collections set to debut in September.
The Costume Institute has previously mounted solo exhibitions for only two living designers: Yves Saint Laurent in 1983 and Rei Kawakubo in 2017. The museum stated that a replacement exhibition for the 2027 spring show would be announced at a later date. The Met Gala, overseen by Vogue’s global editorial director Anna Wintour, traditionally opens the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition.
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