The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has abandoned plans for a major retrospective of British fashion designer John Galliano, originally scheduled to coincide with the 2027 Met Gala. The decision, announced jointly with Galliano, follows a wave of criticism that erupted when the exhibition was first revealed last month.
In a statement, Max Hollein, the museum's director and CEO, said: "Following thoughtful discussions with John Galliano, we have together decided not to proceed with the exhibition." The show, titled 'John Galliano: Horizons', will be replaced by an as-yet-unnamed display.
Galliano, 65, also took to Instagram to express his regret. "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," he wrote. "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."
A fall from grace
Galliano's career was once the stuff of fashion legend. Born in Gibraltar and raised in London, he shot to prominence in the 1990s with theatrical, boundary-pushing designs. After a brief stint at Givenchy, he was promoted by LVMH to lead Christian Dior, where he became one of the most celebrated designers of his generation, dressing celebrities and reshaping luxury fashion.
But in 2011, weeks before Paris Fashion Week, a video emerged showing Galliano hurling racist and antisemitic abuse at a couple in a Paris café. In the footage, he can be heard saying "I love Hitler." The scandal led to his immediate dismissal from Dior and a criminal conviction in France for public insults based on origin, religion, race, or ethnicity. The court fined him €6,000, rejecting his defence that he was in a fragile emotional state after the death of a close friend.
Galliano has since apologised repeatedly, attributing his behaviour to alcoholism and drug addiction. Many Jewish leaders have accepted his contrition as genuine, and his rehabilitation in the industry has been gradual. In 2013, with help from Vogue editor Anna Wintour, he worked alongside Oscar de la Renta in New York, earning praise for his contribution to the collection.
The cancellation of the Met retrospective underscores the enduring sensitivity around Galliano's past. While some in the fashion world had hoped the exhibition would mark a full comeback, others argued that honouring him at such a prestigious venue would send the wrong message. The museum's decision reflects a broader reckoning with how institutions handle artists with problematic histories.
Galliano's statement suggests he understands the weight of the moment. "I have always believed that fashion is about creating beauty and bringing joy," he wrote, "but I also know that my past actions have caused real harm, and I must continue to earn the trust of those I have hurt."
The Met has not yet announced what will replace the Galliano show, but the decision closes a contentious chapter in the designer's long and complicated relationship with the fashion establishment. For now, Galliano remains a figure of both brilliance and controversy, his legacy forever marked by the words he uttered in a Paris café more than a decade ago.
