# Metropolitan Museum of Art cancels John Galliano exhibition > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/metropolitan-museum-of-art-john-galliano-controversy > Updated: 2026-09-03T23:20:40.000Z. Sources: 224. Developments: 4. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has canceled its planned 2027 retrospective, ‘John Galliano: Horizons,’ following intense backlash from the Jewish community, politicians, and major donors. The exhibition, intended to be a centerpiece for the 2027 Met Gala, faced significant criticism regarding Galliano’s history of antisemitic and racist remarks in 2011, for which he was convicted of a hate crime in France. Critics specifically highlighted the insensitivity of the exhibition’s scheduled May opening, which coincided with Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). This controversy led to threats from prominent donors to withhold or rescind future contributions. New York City Council President Julie Menin and donor Arne Glimcher were among the figures expressing that honoring the designer was inappropriate given his past convictions. In a joint statement, the Met and Galliano announced the cancellation. Galliano expressed deep regret, stating, ‘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.’ He added that he did not wish for the debate to place the museum in a difficult position or distract from the Costume Institute’s work, noting that ‘meaningful atonement is not achieved through an exhibition.’ Met Director Max Hollein, Costume Institute curator Andrew Bolton, and Anna Wintour supported the decision, describing it as a ‘courageous move’ or ‘very brave.’ While organizations such as the Yad Vashem USA Foundation criticized the museum for initially planning the exhibition, the institution has confirmed the project will not proceed. The controversy has also brought scrutiny to Anna Wintour, a Met trustee and chair of the Costume Institute Benefit, as insiders question her judgment in backing the exhibition despite Galliano’s history. The museum’s Costume Institute will now develop a new theme for the 2027 Met Gala. ## Claims - Galliano expressed accountability and regret for past antisemitic and racist remarks directed at Jewish and Asian communities. (corroborated by 14 sources) - A French court convicted Galliano in 2011 for making antisemitic and racist comments in a Paris bar. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The Metropolitan Museum of Art and designer John Galliano have jointly decided to cancel his planned 2027 exhibition. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The planned exhibition was scheduled to launch the spring 2027 Met Gala. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The decision to honor Galliano faced opposition from Jewish leaders, museum donors, and New York politicians. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Galliano would have been only the third living designer to receive a solo exhibition at the Met's Costume Institute. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The museum will replace the Galliano exhibition with a different show to be announced at a later date. (corroborated by 5 sources) - John Galliano decided that the retrospective exhibition should not take place at this time. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-03: Metropolitan Museum of Art cancels John Galliano exhibition The Metropolitan Museum of Art has canceled a 2027 John Galliano retrospective following backlash over his past antisemitic and racist remarks and threats from donors to withdraw funding. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/metropolitan-museum-of-art-cancels-john-galliano-retrospective-3 ### 2026-08-31: Metropolitan Museum of Art cancels John Galliano exhibition The Metropolitan Museum of Art has cancelled a 2027 John Galliano retrospective following backlash over his past antisemitic remarks and the exhibition's timing during Yom HaShoah. 52 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/metropolitan-museum-cancels-john-galliano-exhibition ### 2026-08-29: John Galliano and The Met cancel 2027 exhibition The Metropolitan Museum of Art and designer John Galliano have cancelled a planned 2027 exhibition following backlash over Galliano's past antisemitic and racist remarks. 165 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/metropolitan-museum-of-art-faces-backlash-over-john-galliano-exhibition ### 2026-08-08: Metropolitan Museum of Art announces John Galliano retrospective The Met's Costume Institute will host a 2027 retrospective for designer John Galliano, exploring his fashion legacy and his past antisemitic controversy. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/metropolitan-museum-of-art-announces-john-galliano-retrospective --- Cite as: Metropolitan Museum of Art cancels John Galliano exhibition. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/metropolitan-museum-of-art-john-galliano-controversy