Overview
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art and John Galliano announced Monday that they had jointly decided not to proceed with the planned “John Galliano: Horizons” exhibition that would have opened with the 2027 Met Gala.
- The decision followed growing opposition from Jewish leaders, politicians and major donors who warned they would withdraw support and raised particular concern about the gala date falling on Yom HaShoah.
- Galliano issued a statement saying he remains “fully accountable” for the pain his past remarks caused, that he is deeply sorry, and that he did not want the controversy to place the Met in a difficult position.
- Costume Institute curator Andrew Bolton and Met trustee Anna Wintour publicly backed the choice, and the museum said it will announce a replacement spring exhibition and 2027 gala details at a later date.
- The episode draws on Galliano’s 2011 French conviction for racist and antisemitic public insults, his subsequent rehabilitation and prior consultations with Jewish leaders, and highlights tensions between curatorial aims, donor influence and community sensitivity.