The Met Cancels John Galliano Exhibition

Summary

• The Met canceled its Spring 2026 John Galliano exhibition due to backlash over his 2011 racist remarks.

• Galliano, Anna Wintour, and Andrew Bolton issued a joint statement supporting the decision, with Galliano apologizing.

Following the July announcement of The Met Costume Institute’s Spring 2026 show, “John Galliano: Horizons,” the museum faced widespread backlash over Galliano’s past racist remarks. No more than a month later, the New York City museum released a joint statement with Galliano, Anna Wintour, and curator Andrew Bolton saying, “Following thoughtful discussions with John Galliano, we have together decided not to proceed with the exhibition.”

John Galliano wrote an extended remark, leading with his thanks to The Met, followed by acknowledgement of the decision. “After much reflection and discussion with The Met and all those involved, I have decided, with great sadness, that it is best for the exhibition not to take place at this time,” he said. “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 for it.”

The words Galliano is referring to date back to 2011, when a video surfaced of the designer spewing racist remarks at a Paris cafe. The incident ultimately led to his firing from the Creative Director role at Dior, his ousting from his eponymous label, and legal fines amounting to 6,000 euros. The designer returned to the industry in 2014 as the Creative Director of Maison Margiela and most recently inked a deal with Zara in 2026 for a collaborative collection.

The Met Costume Institute’s curator in charge, Andrew Bolton, contributed to the statement, saying, “I believe deeply in the responsibility of museums to examine difficult histories with rigor, candor, and care. I also recognize the pain and concern this exhibition has caused.” “After extensive discussion, I support the decision not to proceed,” he added.

As chairperson of the highly anticipated Met Gala, a response from Anna Wintour was also included: “John’s decision that the exhibition devoted to his work should not take place at this time is very courageous and a measure of the man he is. I believe this is the right decision, and both he and the Museum have my full support.”

As of the time of writing, the museum has not shared official details of what the Spring 2026 exhibition will focus on instead.