The Metropolitan Museum of Art has canceled plans to feature British fashion designer John Galliano. The decision came after significant backlash from New York City officials and anti-hate organizations, who argued that honoring Galliano would be inappropriate given his 2011 conviction for making antisemitic remarks.
New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin stated that after extensive discussions with the museum, she was pleased they decided against commemorating Galliano. Menin expressed her initial strong disagreement with the plan, emphasizing that at a time of rising antisemitism, the exhibition would have been deeply hurtful to the Jewish community. She described the museum's decision to cancel as correct, given the unacceptable harm and pain such an event could cause.
Jonathan Greenblatt, chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League, an organization dedicated to combating antisemitism, echoed these concerns. He noted that with antisemitism at "crisis levels," the proposed honor for Galliano would have been misguided, and that "timing matters."
Galliano is widely recognized as a significant figure in fashion. He returned to the industry after his conviction, serving as creative director for Margiela for a decade until 2024. His work has been celebrated for its innovative designs and creative direction.