Metropolitan Museum cancels John Galliano exhibition for 2027 Met Gala following donor and public backlash

Exhibition withdrawal and cancellation

The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced on 31 August 2026 that its planned spring 2027 Costume Institute exhibition, John Galliano: Horizons, will not proceed. The decision followed an announcement from John Galliano on Instagram stating that he was withdrawing from the honor. The exhibition, originally scheduled to run for nine months starting with the annual Met Gala in May 2027, was first announced on 31 July 2026. The museum indicated that a substitute exhibition and gala theme for spring 2027 will be announced at a later date. Galliano addressed his withdrawal in a public statement released on Monday morning.

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.

Political opposition and donor resistance

Opposition to the exhibition grew rapidly among public officials, Jewish community leaders, and museum patrons. New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin sent a formal letter to museum leadership opposing the tribute, describing the planned show as harmful to the city's Jewish community. Private art collector Arne Glimcher threatened to exclude the museum from his will, while other donors warned they would retract their financial gifts. Rabbi David Ingber pointed out that the scheduled gala date coincided with the Holocaust memorial day, Yom HaShoah. Jonathan Greenblatt, head of the Anti-Defamation League, stated that staging the tribute at this time was an error. Menin expressed satisfaction following the cancellation announcement.

From the beginning, I expressed my strong disagreement with this decision, which, at a time of rising antisemitism, represented a heavy blow to the Jewish community. This is the correct decision, because the damage and suffering it was causing were simply unacceptable.

Past convictions and career trajectory

The controversy stems from incidents in 2010 and 2011 when Galliano made antisemitic and racist statements at a Paris cafe, including remarks praising Adolf Hitler. Christian Dior dismissed him as creative director in 2011, and a French court convicted him of public insults based on race and religion later that year. Galliano returned to the fashion industry in 2014 as creative director of Maison Margiela, a role he held for a decade before entering a design partnership with Zara in March 2026. The planned show would have made Galliano only the third living fashion designer to receive a solo Costume Institute exhibition, following Yves Saint Laurent in 1983 and Rei Kawakubo in 2017. Galliano's departure arrived hours before the museum's board of trustees was scheduled to convene on the matter.

Museum leadership and next steps

Museum officials endorsed the withdrawal while acknowledging the controversy surrounding the initial selection. Costume Institute head curator Andrew Bolton and museum trustee Anna Wintour had consulted Jewish community leaders before the July announcement, but public friction intensified after the exhibition title became public. Met Museum director Max Hollein confirmed that the institution and the designer reached a joint decision to cancel the show. Bolton noted that museums carry a responsibility to address difficult histories while recognizing community pain. Wintour released a statement supporting the outcome and praising Galliano's design craft.

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