The organizers of the Met Gala have announced that fashion designer John Galliano will be the focus of next year’s Costume Institute exhibition.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Vogue announced Friday that the 2027 exhibition will be titled “John Galliano: Horizon.”
The announcement has sparked debate because of antisemitic comments Galliano made in 2011. At the time, he faced legal penalties, was fined and lost his job at the fashion house where he worked.
Galliano, now 65, later apologized for his remarks. He said he could not remember the incident because he was struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction. He stepped away from the fashion industry, entered rehab and returned in 2014 as the creative director of Maison Margiela.
Before announcing the exhibition, Vogue Global Editorial Director Anna Wintour met with Jewish leaders and rabbis in New York to discuss their concerns and seek their support for the decision.
Rabbi Joshua Davidson, leader of Temple Emanu-El, said Galliano appeared sincere during the meeting.
“He looked directly at us and spoke honestly, not like someone repeating prepared answers,” Davidson told The New York Times.
Davidson said there were concerns that the exhibition could face strong public backlash, not just criticism but also opposition from people who believed it was the wrong decision.
He said Galliano deserves a second chance but added that the exhibition should also acknowledge his past actions and educate visitors about the dangers of antisemitism.
Davidson said it would be meaningful if the exhibition used Galliano’s story as an opportunity to educate people about antisemitism and highlight the importance of standing against it.
He also said some members of the Jewish community would likely find the tribute upsetting and that he understood those feelings.
Jonathan Greenblatt, chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League, said the organization accepted Galliano’s apology years ago and believes he has taken responsibility for his actions. However, he said the timing of the exhibition is difficult because antisemitism has recently increased.
Greenblatt said the museum and its partners should take meaningful action against antisemitism rather than relying only on symbolic gestures related to the exhibition.
Curator Andrew Bolton, who has been considering honoring Galliano since 2010, said the organizers wanted to recognize Galliano’s artistic achievements while also holding him accountable for his past actions without allowing one to erase the other.
Wintour also defended the decision, saying Galliano’s career should not be defined by a single incident and that he deserves an exhibition of this scale.
The announcement also sparked mixed reactions on social media. Some users criticized the decision, while others supported it.
One user on X wrote that it was surprising to honor Galliano at a time when antisemitism is rising in New York. Another called him a controversial choice, while a third wrote, “No. Just no.”
Galliano will become only the third living fashion designer to receive a solo exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The exhibition is scheduled to open in May 2027.
