RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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John Galliano has cancelled an upcoming major exhibition celebrating his work as a fashion designer after it prompted criticism due to his previous conviction for making antisemitic remarks.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York had announced an exhibition titled John Galliano: Horizons that was due to open in May 2027.
But Galliano said on Monday: "After much reflection and discussion with the Met and all those involved, I have decided, with great sadness, that it is best for the exhibition not to take place at this time."
The British designer was sacked as creative director of Dior in 2011 and found guilty of abusing a Jewish curator in a restaurant in Paris.
A court also heard that he hurled racist insults at her friend, who is of South Asian origin, and in a separate incident declared a love for Hitler.
At the time, he apologised for his behaviour and his lawyer blamed it on "work-related stress and multiple addictions".
Galliano said in his statement on Monday: "I remain 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.
"I understand that meaningful atonement is not achieved through an exhibition, institutional recognition or a single public gesture.
"It is a continuing responsibility, demonstrated through listening, learning and one's conduct over time."
Galliano added that he did not want "to distract from the remarkable work" of the Met's Costume Institute and said he recognised and respected that "an exhibition honouring my work would be painful for some".
Galliano's new statement noted his "15 years of sobriety and recovery from alcoholism and addiction".
As well as being the focus of the exhibition, Galliano and his work in fashion would have provided the theme for the next Met Gala.
The star-studded event is due to take place on 3 May, coinciding with Yom HaShoah (Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day).
Vogue global editorial director Anna Wintour, a trustee of the Met and co-chair of the Met Gala, gave her support to Galliano on Monday.
"John's decision that the exhibition devoted to his work should not take place at this time is very courageous and a measure of the man he is," she said.
"I believe this is the right decision, and both he and the Museum have my full support."
Others had previously voiced their opposition to the Met's plan to commemorate Galliano.
Julie Menin, speaker of New York City Council, said , external : "After my numerous and lengthy meetings and conversations with the Met, I am pleased that they have agreed to not honour John Galliano.
"From the beginning, I have told them that I strongly disagreed with this decision, and at this rising time of antisemitism, it had served as a gut punch to the Jewish community.
"This is the correct decision, as the harm and pain this was causing was simply unacceptable."
Meanwhile, Jonathan Greenblatt, chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League, which aims to counter antisemitism, said that with antisemitism at "crisis levels", honouring Galliano would be "misguided".
"Even Galliano ultimately recognised what the Met should have done from the start," he added. "This was the wrong move at the wrong moment. Timing matters."
Galliano is regarded by some as one of the greatest fashion designers and returned to the fashion industry following his conviction, serving as creative director of Margiela for a decade until 2024.
Designer John Galliano leaves Maison Margiela after 10 years
John Galliano: Rise and fall of a tormented celebrity
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