The Metropolitan Museum of Art has decided to cancel its upcoming exhibition that was set to honor British designer John Galliano. The museum made this decision following significant backlash from the Jewish community and beyond due to Galliano’s history of making antisemitic and racist remarks.

The exhibit, originally scheduled for the May 2027 spring Costume Institute show launching the annual Met Gala, will now be replaced by a different show, with details to be revealed at a later date. Max Hollein, the museum’s director and CEO, stated that after discussions with John Galliano, they mutually agreed not to proceed with the exhibition.

In a joint statement, Galliano expressed regret, acknowledging the pain caused by his past words, particularly to the Jewish and Asian communities. Galliano, known for his bold designs, faced repercussions in the fashion industry after racist and antisemitic comments from 2010 and 2011 emerged, leading to his dismissal from Christian Dior and a conviction in France.

Despite his fall from grace, Galliano worked towards redemption and eventually made a comeback in 2014 at Maison Margiela. The planned exhibition would have made him only the third living designer to have a solo show at the Met’s Costume Institute.

The Met Gala, overseen by influential fashion figure Anna Wintour, marks the start of the spring season and is a prominent event in the fashion world. Wintour, a longtime supporter of Galliano, has been involved in the gala for years.

Before announcing the exhibition, the museum engaged in discussions with leaders from the Jewish community to address potential backlash. However, the decision faced continued criticism, with New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin among the vocal opponents. Menin welcomed the cancellation, emphasizing that honoring Galliano during a time of rising antisemitism was inappropriate and hurtful.