British fashion designer John Galliano has cancelled his planned retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, stepping down as the focal subject of the 2027 Met Gala.
The decision comes just one month after the museum announced John Galliano: Horizons, a major spring exhibition organized by the Costume Institute to survey his four-decade career in fashion.
In a statement released on Monday, August 31, 2026, Galliano explained that after much reflection and discussions with everyone involved, he decided with great sadness that the exhibition should not proceed at this time. He added that he wished to take responsibility once again for the past statements that altered his career path and apologized for the harm he had caused.
Past Controversy and Museum Exhibition
The planned exhibition was set to open in May 2027 as a major retrospective of Galliano's career, showcasing work from his early days at Central Saint Martins through his tenures at French luxury houses Givenchy and Christian Dior, as well as Maison Margiela.
However, the announcement of a monographic exhibition celebrating his work reignited public debate surrounding the antisemitic and racist remarks that led to his dismissal from Dior in 2011.
Addressing the controversy in his statement, Galliano said he remains fully responsible for the pain his past words caused, particularly to the Jewish and Asian communities, and expressed deep remorse for his actions.
He noted that meaningful repair cannot be accomplished through a museum exhibition, institutional recognition, or a single public gesture. Instead, he stated that accountability is an ongoing duty demonstrated over time through listening, learning, and personal conduct.
Galliano added that he did not want public debate about his past to place the Metropolitan Museum of Art in a difficult position or distract from the work of the Costume Institute. He acknowledged that an exhibition honoring his career could cause pain to some individuals.
Recovery, Support, and Future Schedule
The designer also reflected on his personal journey, expressing gratitude to those who supported him during 15 years of sobriety and recovery from alcoholism and addiction following his professional collapse in 2011.
Galliano expressed appreciation to Metropolitan Museum of Art Director and Chief Executive Officer Max Hollein, Costume Institute curator in charge Andrew Bolton, and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour for offering him the exhibition. He said having his creative career considered by an institution he had admired all his life touched him more deeply than he could express.
Following the announcement, Anna Wintour publicly backed Galliano's decision, describing it as a brave choice that reflected his character. She stated that she believed it was the right decision and confirmed that both Galliano and the museum had her full support.
The cancellation comes alongside other recent developments in Galliano's career, including a new partnership with global fashion retailer Zara to produce collections featuring haute couture elements.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has not yet announced a replacement exhibition for the spring 2027 season. The museum confirmed that updated plans for the Costume Institute exhibition and the accompanying Met Gala will be communicated at a later date.
