Stylist John Galliano announced on his Instagram account on Monday that he was canceling an exhibition of his work planned for next year at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. At issue: criticism from donors and political leaders regarding his past anti-Semitic comments.

Published on: 01/09/2026 - 10:54

British designer John Galliano announced on Monday August 31 that he was canceling an exhibition dedicated to his work planned for next year at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York. An announcement made after criticism from donors and political leaders regarding his past anti-Semitic comments.

“After careful consideration and after discussing it with everyone involved, I have decided, with great sadness, that it is best that the exhibition does not take place at this time,” the 65-year-old designer wrote on his Instagram account. “I continue to take full responsibility for the pain caused by my words in the past, and in particular the harm I have done to the Jewish and Asian communities, and I deeply regret it,” he added.

“After long discussions, I support the decision not to pursue the project,” reacted Andrew Bolton, chief curator of the Costume Institute at the prestigious Met, saying he was aware of “the pain and concerns aroused by this exhibition.”

Anna Wintour, fashion figure and administrator of the Met – close to the stylist – praised a decision “very courageous, [which] testifies to the man that he is”.

Conviction by a French court

Artistic director of Christian Dior from 1996 to 2011, John Galliano, considered one of the most brilliant fashion designers of his generation, saw his career come to a sudden halt after uttering anti-Semitic insults against customers in a Parisian bar. He was convicted for these comments by a French court.

After a detoxification treatment and a long personal work carried out in particular with religious people and leaders of the Jewish community, he found refuge in the discreet but influential Maison Margiela, as artistic director, for ten years, until 2024.

In his statement on Instagram, he expresses his "deepest gratitude to all those who have guided, supported and accompanied him during these fifteen years of sobriety and recovery from alcoholism and addiction".

The exhibition dedicated to his work was to last nine months, starting in May 2027, at the Costume Institute, financed largely by the annual Met Gala, a meeting place for the elite of international fashion in New York.

Many Jewish community leaders, politicians and museum administrators considered the retrospective highly inappropriate. “At a time when anti-Semitism is raging in our city, I think that honoring John Galliano is a serious mistake,” said the president of the New York City Council, Democrat Julie Menin.

With AFP

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