Every year, the Met Gala occurs on the first Monday of May to raise funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, celebrating fashion centered around a yearly theme based on the Costume Institute’s exhibition. Though the 2027 Met Gala’s theme and exhibition were meant to honor fashion designer John Galliano, the theme is no longer moving forward after facing backlash.
John Galliano’s Announcement
On Monday, Galliano took to Instagram to announce his decision to no longer have the theme be based on his work, saying “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.”
The original theme, titled “John Galliano: Horizons,” was meant to incorporate garments, accessories, sketches, toiles, research books, and archival materials throughout Galliano’s career, from his 1984 graduation show at Central Saint Martins in London to his collections for Givenchy, Christian Dior, and Maison Margiela.
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Galliano also stated that “I remain fully accountable for the pain caused by my words in the past, particularly the hurt I caused to the Jewish and Asian communities, and I remain deeply sorry.” Here he refers to numerous incidents that occurred throughout 2011, including hateful remarks about Jews and Asians on two separate occasions at a bar in Paris, according to The New York Times. He was later fired from Dior and convicted by a French court for hate crimes, which the planned exhibition was expected to address.
The Controversy
The New York Times reported on a more recent allegation involving Galliano in 2019, when he made antisemitic remarks to Sabine Cimber Goldberg. Fashion publicist Lauren London described the incident in which Galliano harassed Goldberg for speaking in Hebrew at a spa in Italy. However, a spokesperson for Galliano has denied the encounter ever occurred.
The Met Gala, already a controversial event due to its exclusivity and association with certain individuals, has prompted widespread discussion. Many are outraged by the plan to honor Galliano, including Jewish leaders, with some donors going as far as threatening to revoke gifts, especially with the Met Gala falling on Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day next year, as The New York Times outlined.
The New York Times mentioned that Julie Menin, speaker of the New York City Council, even wrote a letter to Max Hollein (Museum Director), Andrew Bolton (Curator of the Costume Institute), and Anna Wintour (Met Trustee), calling the theme “a serious mistake.”
The Met Museum’s Announcement
The Met Museum on Monday shared an announcement as well with Hollein stating that “Following thoughtful discussions with John Galliano, we have together decided not to proceed with the exhibition.” Bolton added, “I believe deeply in the responsibility of museums to examine difficult histories with rigor, candor, and care. I also recognize the pain and concern this exhibition has caused.”
Wintour ended by noting that “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. I believe this is the right decision, and both he and the Museum have my full support.”
A new theme for the 2027 Met Gala has yet to be announced.
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