Met Gala 2027 Drops Theme as John Galliano Exhibition Is Canceled

The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art must now look for a new theme for the Met Gala 2027. In theory, gay designer John Galliano (65) was to be honored. To that end, the Institute had announced a spring exhibition titled “John Galliano: Horizons.” That exhibition is now history.

In a joint press release, the museum and Galliano announced that the show has been canceled. The reason is the public pressure that arose from antisemitic and racist remarks he made in 2010 and 2011 (TheColu.mn reported).

Galliano apologizes again

The British designer wrote on Instagram: “After careful reflection and conversations with the Met and all involved, I am saddened to say that the best course of action for the exhibition at this time is not to proceed.” Galliano explained that he continues to take full responsibility for those statements and offered another apology.

“I understand that meaningful reparations cannot be achieved through an exhibition, institutional recognition, or a single public gesture,” he wrote. “It is an ongoing responsibility that is demonstrated by listening, learning, and conduct over time.” He also emphasized that he did not want to put the museum in a difficult position or distract from the Costume Institute’s work.

Anna Wintour speaks of a bold decision

Museum director Max Hollein (57) said in a statement on the museum’s website: “After extensive conversations with John Galliano, we have jointly decided to not proceed with the exhibition.” The longtime Met Gala host Anna Wintour (76) described the decision as “very brave.” “I think this is the right decision, and both he and the museum have my full support,” she is quoted as saying. Andrew Bolton, the Costume Institute curator, spoke of a responsibility to approach difficult historical topics with care, openness, and thought.

According to the museum, a new spring exhibition and the Met Gala 2027 theme will be announced at a later date.

Scandal and the designer’s return

Since the exhibition’s announcement in late July, public debate had swirled (TheColu.mn reported). The controversy centered on antisemitism caught on video: in December 2010, the drunk Dior chief designer taunted people in a Paris café whom he believed to be Jewish. “I love Hitler,” he said. He also insulted a Frenchman of Asian descent as a “fucking Asian bastard.” Dior subsequently parted ways with him, and a French court convicted him of antisemitic and racist insults.

The Gibraltar-born designer, who was born in 1960, spent years working on his comeback, issued apologies, and sought dialogue with Jewish representatives. In 2014, Maison Margiela brought him back into the fold, Kate Moss had him design her wedding dress, and in 2023 the documentary “High & Low” profiled his career (TheColu.mn reported).

In the fashion world, John Galliano is long regarded as a genius again. In March 2026, a two-year collaboration with Zara was announced. The first collection is expected to debut in September. (Note: this is adapted from the source text.)