The Metropolitan Museum of Art cancels a planned 2027 Costume Institute exhibition honoring fashion designer John Galliano after a sustained backlash over his past antisemitic and racist remarks. The museum and Galliano jointly announce the cancellation in late August, about a month after the exhibition was made public, and Galliano also withdraws from involvement in the planned Met Gala theme for May 3, 2027.

The exhibition, titled “John Galliano: Horizons,” was expected to run for roughly nine months and examine the designer’s career. Multiple outlets say the controversy centers on Galliano’s 2011 conviction in France over antisemitic and racist comments, along with other documented remarks from that period. Outlets also report that the museum faced pressure from political leaders and donors, including criticism of the decision to showcase the work.

Some reporting highlights additional concern about the timing: May 3, 2027 coincides with Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. While outlets broadly agree on the reason for cancellation, they differ in emphasis—some focus more on Galliano’s public withdrawal and accountability statement, while others focus on donor and political pressure and the museum’s internal review.