Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Anna Wintour Backs Galliano’s Withdrawal From 2027 Met Exhibition
John Galliano was supposed to have an exhibition about his fashion work at the Met in 2027.
He decided that the exhibition should not happen right now.
Anna Wintour, a major fashion editor, said his choice was brave and supported it.
Galliano apologized again for hurtful racist words he used in 2011.
Those words especially hurt Jewish and Asian communities.
The old incident had already caused him to lose his job at Dior.
Some people thought the exhibition would be painful or inappropriate because of that history.
The Anti-Defamation League said Galliano had made a genuine effort to face his past, but said the timing was important.
Galliano said real accountability requires continued learning and responsible behavior, not just one exhibition.
John Galliano withdrew his planned 2027 Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibition after discussions with the museum and organizers.
Anna Wintour called the decision “very courageous” and said she and the museum fully supported it.
Galliano said he remained accountable and sorry for racist remarks that caused pain to Jewish and Asian communities.
The exhibition had faced renewed criticism because of Galliano’s 2011 antisemitic and racist outburst in Paris.
Anti-Defamation League chief Jonathan Greenblatt said Galliano had genuinely reckoned with his past but that the timing required meaningful action against antisemitism.
- Who
- John Galliano, Anna Wintour, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and critics including the Anti-Defamation League.
- What
- Galliano withdrew from a planned 2027 exhibition devoted to his work, and Wintour publicly supported the decision.
- When
- Galliano and Wintour announced their positions on Monday; the proposed gala and exhibition were planned for May 2027.
- Where
- The exhibition was planned at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York; Galliano’s 2011 incident occurred in Paris.
- Why
- Galliano said the exhibition could cause pain and distract from the Costume Institute, while renewed criticism focused on his past antisemitic and racist remarks.
Support for Galliano’s Withdrawal
Concerns About the Original Honor
Whether the exhibition should proceed
Support for Galliano’s Withdrawal
Galliano, Wintour, and the museum supported stopping the exhibition for now, with Galliano saying it could cause pain and distract from the Costume Institute.
Concerns About the Original Honor
Critics questioned whether Galliano should be honored because of his 2011 antisemitic and racist outburst and the renewed backlash surrounding it.
Galliano’s accountability
Support for Galliano’s Withdrawal
Galliano said he remained fully accountable, deeply sorry, and committed to ongoing listening, learning, and responsible conduct.
Concerns About the Original Honor
The Anti-Defamation League said he had genuinely reckoned with his past but argued that the current rise in antisemitism made timing and concrete action especially important.
Wintour’s role
Support for Galliano’s Withdrawal
Wintour said Galliano’s career was not defined by a single moment and later called his withdrawal the right decision.
Concerns About the Original Honor
An unnamed Conde Nast insider said staff members had concerns about honoring Galliano but were afraid to challenge Wintour, describing the handling of the decision as distressing.
- Designer
- John Galliano
- Planned event
- A 2027 Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibition devoted to Galliano’s work
- Announcement
- Galliano said the exhibition should not take place “at this time”
- Wintour’s response
- She called the decision “very courageous” and said she and the museum fully supported it
- Past controversy
- A 2011 Paris video showed Galliano making drunken racist remarks, including antisemitic comments
- Former employer affected
- Galliano was fired from Dior after the controversy
- ADL position
- Jonathan Greenblatt said the Anti-Defamation League accepted Galliano’s apology and believed he had genuinely reckoned with his past