John Galliano’s Met Gala exhibition was cancelled, but his influence on fashion can’t be erased
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has cancelled a planned 2027 retrospective exhibition for fashion designer John Galliano following public backlash. The controversy stems from Galliano's history of antisemitic and racist remarks.
Why it matters
The cancellation reflects ongoing cultural debates about how to separate an artist's professional influence from their personal conduct and past offensive behavior.
Remy de la Mauviniere/AP John Galliano’s Met Gala exhibition was cancelled, but his influence on fashion can’t be erased Published: September 2, 2026 9:30pm EDT https://theconversation.com/john-gallianos-met-gala-exhibition-was-cancelled-but-his-influence-on-fashion-cant-be-erased-291028 https://theconversation.com/john-gallianos-met-gala-exhibition-was-cancelled-but-his-influence-on-fashion-cant-be-erased-291028 Link copied Share article Share article
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New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art’s planned 2027 Costume Institute exhibition , John Galliano: Horizons, has been cancelled, following Galliano’s statement that “it is best for the exhibition not to take place at this time”.
The exhibition was intended to provide a retrospective of the British designer’s highly influential , four-decade career.
But Galliano, and the museum, faced intense opposition centred on whether the Met should devote a retrospective to a designer whose legacy is closely linked to racist and antisemitic remarks.
Galliano has been an undeniably influential force in fashion. How should this influence be remembered?
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