Designer John Galliano Pulls Out of Met Gala 2027 Exhibit

British designer John Galliano announced Aug. 31 he had canceled a planned fashion exhibit for the 2027 Met Gala after receiving strong public backlash from the Jewish community over his past anti-Semitic statements.

Galliano would have become the third living designer to be featured in a solo show at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute’s glamorous spring event.

“After much reflection and discussion with all those involved, I have decided with great sadness, that it is best for the exhibition not to take place at this time,” Galliano posted in a statement on Instagram.

The designer also addressed his past statements that resulted in the French fashion house Christian Dior firing him at the pinnacle of his career as chief designer in 2011.

“I remain fully accountable for the pain caused by my words in the past, particularly the hurt I caused the Jewish and Asian communities, and I remain deeply sorry,” Galliano said. “I understand that meaningful atonement is not achieved through an exhibition, institutional recognition or a single public gesture. It is continuing responsibility, demonstrated through listening, learning and one’s conduct over time.”

A video surfaced in February 2011 that showed Galliano praising Adolph Hitler following accusations that he had accosted a couple at a Paris bar.

The cell phone video allegedly showed the designer ranting against two people at the Parisian bar La Perle, telling one of the women he loved Hitler and making other derogatory remarks.

A second incident at the same bar a year earlier also resulted in a complaint of anti-Semitism to be filed against him.

The incidents went viral and led to his conviction in an anti-Semitism trial in France. He was fined roughly $8,400 dollars.

Galliano has apologized for the incidents, which he said were fueled by alcohol and drug addiction. He described his behavior during the 2023 documentary “High & Low: John Galliano” as “a disgusting thing, foul thing that I did. … It was just horrific,” according to Vogue.

Jewish leaders and public officials condemned plans for Galliano’s exhibit at the 2027 Met Gala, including New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, who praised the decision to cancel it.

“After my numerous and lengthy meetings and conversations with The Met, I am pleased that they have agreed to not honor John Galliano,” Menin said in a statement. “From the beginning, I have told them that I strongly disagreed with this decision, and at this rising time of antisemitism, it had served as a gut punch to the Jewish community. This is the correct decision, as the harm and pain this was causing was simply unacceptable.”

Galliano said he didn’t want the debate about his past behavior to put the Met in a difficult position or distract from the event.

The designer was once known as one of the fashion world’s biggest talents for his flamboyant designs.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced the exhibit would be canceled in a separate statement. Information is expected at a later date about a new spring Costume Institute exhibit for the event, which started in 1948.

“Following thoughtful discussions with John Galliano, we have together decided not to proceed with the exhibition,” Max Hollein, director and CEO of The Met, said in the statement.

Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, a Met trustee, called the designer’s decision “courageous.”

“John’s decision that the exhibition devoted to his work should not take place at this time is very courageous and a measure of the man he is,” Wintour said. “I believe this is the right decision, and both he and the Museum have my full support.”

The Met Gala’s announcement comes months after the iconic spring fashion event suffered celebrity backlash over its decision to allow billionaire Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchez Bezos, to act as sponsors.

An activist group protested inside the museum and several celebrities canceled plans to attend, including socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.