Amid backlash, museum cancels planned Met Gala exhibit on fashion designer John Galliano
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has canceled a planned exhibition honoring fashion designer John Galliano following public backlash. The decision stems from the designer's history of antisemitic and racist remarks made in 2010 and 2011.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing tension between artistic recognition and the accountability of public figures for past hate speech in cultural institutions.
Facebook Twitter Bluesky Threads Flipboard LinkedIn Email Jacques Brinon / AP FILE - Fashion designer John Galliano poses at the end of the presentation of the Dior Haute Couture spring/summer 2010 fashion collection on Jan. 25, 2010, in Paris. NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Museum of Art is canceling its planned exhibit honoring British designer John Galliano — plans that had led to bitter backlash from the Jewish community and beyond because of the designer's past antisemitic and racist statements.
"John Galliano: Horizons," the high-profile spring Costume Institute exhibit that was to be launched by the annual Met Gala next May, will be replaced by another exhibit, the museum said Monday.
"Following thoughtful discussions with John Galliano, we have together decided not to proceed with the exhibition," Max Hollein, director and CEO of the museum, announced in a statement.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in