Fashion designer John Galliano has withdrawn from a planned Met Gala celebration in his honor following widespread public outcry over his past antisemitic and racist statements. The decision, announced Monday, also casts a shadow over Anna Wintour, the powerful benefactor and former Vogue editor-in-chief who supported the planned tribute.
"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," Galliano said in a statement. The planned retrospective of his work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Anna Wintour Costume Center was scheduled to open on May 3, 2027, coinciding with Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Mounting Opposition
The planned honor for Galliano, a celebrated designer known for his work with Dior, faced significant opposition from various groups. New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, whose grandparents were Holocaust survivors, publicly campaigned against the event, arguing that celebrating Galliano's legacy was inappropriate. Wealthy donors to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and leaders from the Jewish community also voiced their concerns, with some threatening to withhold financial support.
"Met honchos should have never made the decision in the first place," Menin stated, emphasizing the distinction between displaying the work of controversial artists and actively honoring an individual's legacy. Prominent Met donor Alice Tisch expressed similar sentiments, suggesting that Wintour's judgment was compromised by her strong support for Galliano.
Galliano's Past Remarks
Galliano's withdrawal comes after years of controversy stemming from remarks made around 2011. Videos surfaced showing the designer making anti-Jewish and anti-Asian slurs, including telling a woman she had an "ugly Jewish face" and threatening an Asian man, stating, "F--king Asian bastard, I will kill you." He was also recorded telling a Jewish woman, "I love Hitler" and that her family should have been "gassed."
These statements led to Galliano's dismissal from Dior and a conviction in France for "public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity," for which he received a fine. He subsequently entered rehab, claiming mental instability, and has since re-entered the fashion industry with support from figures like Wintour.
Impact on Anna Wintour
Anna Wintour, chief content officer of Condé Nast and a top Met Trustee, initially remained a staunch supporter of the planned tribute. Her statement calling Galliano's decision "very courageous" drew criticism from insiders who deemed it "tone-deaf" and questioned her judgment. Sources within Condé Nast suggested that a culture of deference prevented colleagues from challenging Wintour directly on her support for the event.
Galliano would have been only the third living fashion designer to be honored at the Met Gala in its 78-year history. The controversy has led to significant discussions within the Met regarding its decision-making processes and potential "judgment problems," as one Jewish Community Relations Council executive described it.