John Galliano exhibition at New York Met cancelled after backlash

ByIan Youngs Culture reporter.

Key points

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York had confirmed an exhibition titled John Galliano: Horizons that was due to open in May 2027.
• The British designer was sacked as creative director of Dior in 2011 and discovered guilty of abusing a Jewish curator in a restaurant in Paris.
• The star-studded event is due to take place on 3 May, coinciding with Yom HaShoah (Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day).
• Vogue global editorial director Anna Wintour, a trustee of the Met and co-chair of the Met Gala, offered her backing to Galliano on Monday.
• Jonathan Greenblatt, chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League.

John Galliano has cancelled an upcoming major exhibition celebrating his work as a fashion designer after it prompted criticism due to his previous conviction for making antisemitic remarks.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York had confirmed an exhibition titled John Galliano: Horizons that was due to open in May 2027.

But Galliano remarked on Monday: "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."

Notably, the British designer was sacked as creative director of Dior in 2011 and discovered guilty of abusing a Jewish curator in a restaurant in Paris.

Notably, a court additionally heard that he hurled racist insults at her friend. This person is of South Asian origin, and in a separate incident declared a love for Hitler. 'I remain deeply sorry'.

At the time, he apologised for his behaviour and his lawyer blamed it on "work-related stress and multiple addictions".

Galliano remarked in his statement on Monday: I remain fully accountable for the pain caused by my words previously, particularly the hurt I caused to the Jewish and Asian communities, and I remain deeply sorry for it.

I understand that meaningful atonement is not achieved through an exhibition, institutional recognition or a single public gesture.

"It is a continuing responsibility, demonstrated through listening, learning and one's conduct over time."

Galliano continued that he did not want "to distract from the remarkable work" of the Met's Costume Institute and stated he recognised and respected that "an exhibition honouring my work would be painful for some".

Galliano's new statement observed his "15 years of sobriety and recovery from alcoholism and addiction".

As well as being the focus of the exhibition, Galliano and his work in fashion would have provided the theme for the next Met Gala.

For context, the star-studded event is due to take place on 3 May, coinciding with Yom HaShoah (Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day).

"John's decision that the exhibition devoted to his work should not take place at this time is very courageous and a measure of the man he is, " she remarked.

"I believe this is the right decision, and both he and the Museum have my full support."

Others had previously voiced their opposition to the Met's plan to commemorate Galliano.

Julie Menin, speaker of New York City Council, remarked, external: After my numerous and lengthy meetings and conversations with the Met, I am pleased that they have agreed to not honour John Galliano.

From the beginning, I have informed them that I strongly disagreed with this decision, and at this rising time of antisemitism, it had served as a gut punch to the Jewish community.

"This is the correct decision, as the harm and pain this was causing was simply unacceptable."

Meanwhile, Jonathan Greenblatt, chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League. It intends to counter antisemitism, stated that with antisemitism at "crisis levels", honouring Galliano would be "misguided".

"Even Galliano ultimately recognised what the Met should have done from the start, " he continued. "This was the wrong move at the wrong moment. Timing matters."

Galliano is regarded by some as one of the greatest fashion designers and returned to the fashion industry after his conviction, serving as creative director of Margiela for a decade until 2024.

In short, john Galliano exhibition at New York Met cancelled after backlash is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.