John Galliano cancels Met exhibition amid backlash

Designer John Galliano has pulled his planned exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art after backlash over his past antisemitic remarks.

The exhibition, titled "John Galliano: Horizons," was slated to open in May 2027 and would have celebrated the British designer’s work. Galliano announced that after reflection and discussion with the Met and others, it was best not to hold the show.

Galliano’s controversies began in 2011 when he was dismissed as Dior’s creative director following a public exchange with a Jewish curator and statements praising Hitler. He has issued apologies and has spoken of sobriety and recovery.

Metro officials, including Tina (Anna) Wintour, a trustee of the Met and co‑chair of the Met Gala, praised the decision, saying it was courageous. Judge Menin, a NYC council speaker, also expressed support for canceling the exhibition.

The cancelled show will no longer serve as the theme for this year’s Met Gala scheduled for 3 May, overlapping with Yom HaShoah. The decision reflects growing concern over antisemitism, which many leaders say is at crisis levels.

Galliano will remain in the public eye, having returned to fashion as creative director of Maison Margiela until 2024. The Met will continue to celebrate other designers and maintain its Costume Institute programmes.