John Galliano Withdraws From Met Exhibition After Backlash Over Racist Comments
The British fashion designer was convicted of a hate crime in 2011 for anti-Asian and antisemitic remarks.
British fashion designer John Galliano has scrapped his upcoming exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, following a storm of backlash over his racist past comments. Galliano faced conviction in a French court for anti-Semitic and anti-Asian hate speech directed at a French couple in February 2011 and another barrage of anti-Semitic slurs against a woman in October of the same year.
He was fined €6,000 for his actions. The designer's anti-Semitic rant, "I love Hitler," was captured on video and widely distributed by the British tabloid, The Sun, leading to his dismissal from Dior's creative director position in March 2011. The announcement of Galliano's exhibition at the Met in July reignited the controversy, as prominent figures such as Alice Tisch, a substantial Met donor, and New York politician Brad Lander called for the museum to cancel the show.
In a statement on August 31, Galliano expressed his decision, stating that "after much reflection and discussion with all those involved, it is best for the exhibition not to take place at this time."
Written by urgent.news from Hyperallergic's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
