John Galliano
Jacques Brinon (AP)
John Galliano
The Metropolitan Museum of Art will no longer move forward with its planned 2027 Costume Institute exhibition centered on designer John Galliano. The decision was reached after discussions between Galliano and museum leadership amid concerns surrounding his past conduct and the impact an exhibition honoring his career could have on affected communities. Galliano expressed appreciation for The Met while acknowledging his past actions and saying that accountability requires an ongoing commitment rather than institutional recognition. Museum leaders, including Max Hollein and Andrew Bolton, supported the decision, while trustee Anna Wintour described the move as the right course. The Met is expected to announce a replacement spring exhibition and new plans for the 2027 Met Gala at a later date.
Announcement on The Met’s Spring 2027 Costume Institute Exhibition
The Metropolitan Museum of Art and John Galliano together announced today that the exhibition John Galliano: Horizons, previously scheduled to open in May 2027, will not proceed as planned. Information on a new spring Costume Institute exhibition and the 2027 Met Gala will be announced at a later date.
Statement from Max Hollein, Director and CEO of The Metropolitan Museum of Art: “Following thoughtful discussions with John Galliano, we have together decided not to proceed with the exhibition."
John Galliano stated: "I am profoundly grateful to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and particularly to Max Hollein, Andrew Bolton and Anna Wintour, for the extraordinary honor of proposing an exhibition devoted to my work. To have my creative journey considered by an institution that I have admired throughout my life moved me more deeply than I can express. I will remain forever grateful for the confidence, care and scholarship that Max, Andrew, Anna and the entire Met team brought to this project.
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. 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. I understand that meaningful atonement is not achieved through an exhibition, institutional recognition or a single public gesture. It is a continuing responsibility, demonstrated through listening, learning and one’s conduct over time.
I do not want the debate surrounding me to place The Met in a difficult position or to distract from the remarkable work of the Costume Institute. I also recognise and respect that an exhibition honouring my work would be painful for some. I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to all those who have guided, supported and accompanied me throughout these fifteen years of sobriety and recovery from alcoholism and addiction. Your wisdom, patience and humanity have helped me more than I can ever adequately express. I remain profoundly indebted to you for giving me, as you promised, a life better than I could ever have dreamt of. My gratitude to The Met, Max, Andrew and Anna remains profound and enduring. Their generosity, humanity and belief in the importance of fashion as art, culture and history, as well as their understanding of human fragility and the possibility of growth, will remain with me always.”
Statement from Andrew Bolton, Curator in Charge of The Met's Costume Institute: “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. I remain deeply grateful to my colleagues and to the advisors, lenders, collaborators, and community leaders who contributed their knowledge, trust, and perspectives to the project.”
Statement from Met Trustee Anna Wintour: "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."
Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
