John Galliano's Met Exhibition Cancelled Following Public Backlash

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has cancelled its planned 2027 Costume Institute exhibition celebrating British designer John Galliano after widespread criticism surrounding his history of antisemitic and racist remarks.

Titled John Galliano: Horizons, the exhibition was expected to explore the designer’s four-decade career, including his influential work at Givenchy, Dior and Maison Margiela. It would have made Galliano only the third living designer to receive a solo Costume Institute exhibition.

Following mounting pressure-particularly from Jewish community leaders and public officials-Galliano and the Met announced that the exhibition would no longer proceed. Galliano said he accepted full responsibility for the harm caused by his past behaviour and believed withdrawing was the appropriate decision.

The controversy raises a familiar but difficult question for the fashion industry: Can creative genius ever be separated from the conduct of the person behind it-and who gets to decide when accountability has been fulfilled?

The Met is expected to announce a replacement theme for its 2027 Costume Institute exhibition. Importantly, the annual Met Gala itself has not been cancelled; it will simply no longer centre on Galliano’s work.