Met Gala Pulls Fashion Designer John Galliano’s Solo Exhibition Over 15-Year-Old Drunken Rant
The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced Monday that it is scrapping plans for a John Galliano exhibit following backlash over antisemitic remarks the fashion icon made 15 years ago.
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The exhibit was planned in honor of the fashion icon for the May 2027 spring Costume Institute show launching the annual Met Gala.
The organization faced backlash related to Galliano’s arrest and subsequent 2011 conviction for making racist and antisemitic comments during a drunken rant at a Paris bar.
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Max Hollein, director and CEO of the museum, said that “following thoughtful discussions with John Galliano, we have together decided not to proceed with the exhibition.”
Galliano issued a statement Aug. 31 on Instagram, saying, “After much reflection and discussion with all those involved, I have decided, with great sadness, that it is best for the exhibition not to take place at this time.”
He continued, “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.”
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Galliano noted 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.”
Taking a step back to allow for the gala to move forward without criticism, the designer said,
“I do not want the debate surrounding me to place the Met in a difficult position or to distract from the remarkable work of the Costume Institute.”
“I also recognise and respect that an exhibition honouring my work would be painful for some.”
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The Associated Press reported that the exhibit will be replaced by another show to be announced at a later date.
Galliano is a veteran in the fashion industry and has long been considered one of the industry’s leading designers and biggest talents. (RELATED: Hundreds Of Allegedly Urine-Themed Bottles Appear At Met Gala As Protesters Target Jeff Bezos)
He spent years at the helm of Christian Dior in the position of the brand’s creative director and was fired from his prestigious position when his racist comments surfaced.
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