Met Gala may move date from Yom HaShoah as it honors Galliano, who once praised Hitler

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has canceled its planned exhibit honoring British fashion designer John Galliano. This decision came after a backlash from the Jewish community and beyond due to the designer's past antisemitic and racist statements. The exhibit, titled "John Galliano: Horizons," was scheduled to coincide with the annual Met Gala, which is set to take place the following May.

Max Hollein, the museum's director and CEO, announced the cancellation in a statement, saying that after "thoughtful discussions with John Galliano, we have together decided not to proceed with the exhibition." Galliano, who joined the museum in expressing his decision, stated that he "remains fully accountable for the pain caused by my words in the past, particularly the hurt I caused to the Jewish and Asian communities, and I remain deeply sorry for it."

Galliano, a celebrated fashion designer and creative director of Christian Dior for many years, faced a trial for antisemitism in France in 2011. During the trial, he made numerous racist and antisemitic comments, including the infamous "I love Hitler" remark. He was convicted for his offenses.

John Galliano's exclusion from the planned exhibit has been met with support from influential figures in the fashion industry. Anna Wintour, Vogue's global editorial director and a longtime supporter of Galliano, called his decision "courageous." Costume Institute curator Andrew Bolton also agreed with the decision, citing "the pain and concern this exhibition has caused."

The museum had attempted to address the backlash by openly discussing Galliano's past mistakes and consulting with Jewish community leaders before announcing the exhibit. However, critics like New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, a Holocaust survivor, expressed strong opposition, stating that the decision had caused "a gut punch" to the Jewish community. The gala, traditionally held on the first Monday of May, also coincides with Holocaust Remembrance Day, further complicating the museum's decision.