Anna Wintour, the influential editor of Vogue and chair of the Met Gala, is reportedly planning to honor designer John Galliano at the 2027 Met Gala. Sources tell Page Six that Wintour is "obsessed" with Galliano and has been working for years to bestow one of fashion's significant accolades upon him, even if the decision leads to some high-profile guests boycotting the event.
Wintour has long admired Galliano's work, with biographer Amy Odell noting that Wintour considers his Fall/Winter 1994 collection, known as "The Black Show," her favorite of all time. Odell stated Wintour believes Galliano is a "creative genius" and is "obsessed with him."
Before finalizing the decision to honor Galliano, Wintour and Met Gala curator Andrew Bolton met with Jewish leaders. However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from some. Philippe Virgitti, who was the target of Galliano's antisemitic slurs in 2011, described the designer as "garbage" who caused significant harm. "I am APPALLED," said "Odd Mom Out" star Jill Kargman, a Met Gala regular, expressing dismay that antisemitism might be accepted by a major art institution. Kargman has stated she will not attend the 2027 event.
Further allegations of antisemitic behavior have surfaced. PR professional Lauren London claimed she witnessed Galliano making antisemitic remarks in 2019 at a spa in Italy, stating he objected to someone speaking Hebrew and repeatedly shouted "Merry Christmas" in July. London also alleged Galliano, while sober, responded unapologetically when asked if he had a problem with Hebrew, and encouraged a friend to dispose of Galliano's clothing.
In response to the controversy, Wintour released a statement defending the decision. She stated that Galliano is "no one more deserving of an exhibition of this scale" and praised his body of work across various labels as a brilliant fusion of "erudition and creativity, darkness and light, the past, the present, the future."
Wintour added that the exhibition "won't shy away from any of the darkness in John's past. It's part of what has shaped him. The show will take in the full arc of his career and grapple with all of it."
Leaders from Jewish organizations, including Jonathan Greenblatt of the Anti-Defamation League, have indicated they are satisfied with Galliano's past apologies and expressed belief in his sincere remorse. Following his 2011 outburst, Galliano cited addiction to alcohol, sleeping tablets, and Valium. He was found guilty in Paris of public insults based on origin and fined. Virgitti, however, wrote in his book "Affaire Galliano" that he does not forgive Galliano, citing insincere apologies and a defamation complaint filed by the designer against him. Virgitti also noted receiving only a symbolic check for one Euro, signed by Galliano's lawyer.
Odell speculated that potential sponsors for the Met Gala could include Zara, which is currently collaborating with Galliano, or a large tech firm. She believes the event will proceed, noting Wintour's ability to "rehabilitate people, and to help people get jobs."