John Galliano withdraws from exhibition planned by New York’s Met

John Galliano withdrew from the exhibition the Metropolitan Museum of Art had planned for the 2027 Met Gala, saying he did not want debate over his past to place the museum in a difficult position.

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After much reflection and conversations with the Met and everyone involved, I have decided, with great sadness, that it is best for the exhibition not to take place at this time

Galliano said he made the decision after reflection and discussions with the Met and others involved. He acknowledged the harm caused by his past words and said he recognized that an exhibition honoring his work would be painful for some people.

The museum confirmed that the exhibition had been canceled and said it would announce details of a new exhibition for the next Met Gala later. The decision followed criticism from New York’s Jewish community and opposition from museum supporters.

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I recognize and respect that an exhibition honoring my work is painful for some

Gallery owner Arne Glimcher threatened to remove the Met from his will, while Elisha Wiesel, president of the Elie Wiesel Foundation, also criticized the plan. Julie Menin, president of the New York City Council and the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, described the exhibition as “a punch in the gut” for the city’s Jewish community and said museums such as the Met should maintain a high standard of inclusion and tolerance.

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a punch in the gut

A French court convicted Galliano in 2011 over antisemitic remarks and insults against Jewish and Asian people during two incidents at a Paris bar. The controversy led Dior to dismiss him after 15 years as its creative director. Galliano later underwent rehabilitation for addiction problems and returned to haute couture in 2014 as creative director of Maison Margiela, a role he held for a decade.

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a high standard of inclusion and tolerance