Back in July 2026, the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced that their Spring 2027 Costume Institute exhibition will honour the legacy of John Galliano. Titled John Galliano: Horizons, the exhibition was set to open in May 2027 following the museum’s annual MET Gala. Now, in an announcement made by Galliano and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the exhibition will no longer take place.
According to both statements, the decisions come largely from Galliano himself. “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,” Galliano noted in his statement. “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. 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.”
In late 2010, Galliano was caught hurling antisemitic and racist remarks at multiple people of Jewish and South Asian origin. He was dismissed as Creative Director at Dior in 2011 and was subsequently found guilty of antisemitic abuse in a court trial.
He has since apologised and continues to do so. But for the communities affected, the news of the exhibition was received with significant backlash. According to Galliano’s statement, he said that an exhibition honouring his life and work can be a source of discomfort for the communities that he harmed and distract from the work of the Costume Institute.
Andrew Bolton, Curator in Charge of the MET’s Costume Institute, said, “I believe deeply in the responsibility of museums to examine difficult histories with rigor, candor, and care. I also recognize the pain and concern this exhibition has caused. After extensive discussion, I support the decision not to proceed.”
MET Trustee and longtime friend of Galliano, Anna Wintour, also announced her support for Galliano’s decision.
“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. I believe this is the right decision, and both he and the Museum have my full support.”
The exhibition was set to take a look at his full breadth of creative output, from sketches and archival materials to his famed and cult-favoured designs. It would also mean that the upcoming MET Gala would highlight the designer and his work. But with the new announcements, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is set to announce a new Spring 2027 exhibition and theme at a later date.
