The exhibition was supposed to present the most important stages of the innovative creator’s career, but its plans faced criticism due to J. Galliano’s past antisemitic and racist comments, after which the designer was forced to withdraw from the fashion world.
Read more In a dramatic downpour of goals – the end of „Gintros“ journey in Europe
On Monday, the museum announced that the exhibition “John Galliano: Horizons” will be replaced by another, as yet unnamed, exhibition.
“After thorough discussions with John Galliano, we jointly decided not to hold the exhibition,” said the museum’s director and head Max Hollein.
J. Galliano also posted this statement on his Instagram account.
“After long reflection and discussions with The Met and all involved parties, I have decided, with great sadness, that it is best not to hold the exhibition at this time,” the designer wrote.
He also once again took responsibility for the words he spoke in the past.
“I still take full responsibility for the pain my words caused in the past, especially for the harm I caused to the Jewish and Asian communities, and I sincerely regret it,” said J. Galliano.
Fame replaced by public scandal
J. Galliano’s career initially rose rapidly, but its fall was no less dramatic. In the 1990s, he was one of the most prominent figures in the fashion world. Due to his innovative and bold creations, the designer became the chief designer of the French luxury fashion house Givenchy.
After two years, he was appointed to lead Dior and soon further solidified his position in the luxury fashion and pop culture world.
However, on the eve of the 2011 Paris Fashion Week, his career changed dramatically. A video was released showing J. Galliano uttering a series of racist and antisemitic insults to a couple in a Paris café. At one point, he was recorded saying, “I love Hitler.”
After this scandal, the designer was fired from Dior. Later, a French court found him guilty of public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race, or ethnicity. The state prosecutor called his statements “regrettable and terrible.”
Galliano was fined 6,000 euros. The court rejected his argument that he was in a highly vulnerable emotional state at the time due to the death of a close friend.
Read more Marytė retail to open some stores in place of Mere: ministry is interested in its connections
However, by 2013, the designer’s image began to change. Then Vogue editor Anna Wintour helped him secure a temporary position at designer Oscar de la Renta’s studio before the 2013 New York Fashion Week autumn season.
This collaboration received favorable reviews – critics highlighted J. Galliano’s characteristic theatricality in de la Renta’s presented ready-to-wear collection.
The 65-year-old J. Galliano has apologized multiple times for his behavior and has stated that at the time he was suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction. His apology has been accepted as sincere by some leaders of the Jewish community.
The museum itself also faced criticism
Nevertheless, the decision to hold an exhibition dedicated to J. Galliano’s career faced criticism.
Representatives of the US Yad Vashem Foundation, supporting the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, said the museum should not be praised for canceling the exhibition because it should never have been planned in the first place.
“The Met deserves no praise for refusing an exhibition that should never have been conceived. The museum still owes an apology to Holocaust survivors, the Jewish community, and society for planning to honor a person who said ‘I love Hitler’ and told people their families would be gassed on the evening when Yom HaShoah begins,” the foundation said in a statement.
The foundation also criticized the museum’s description of J. Galliano as “one of the most creative and influential designers of the past four decades,” while his antisemitic remarks are described only as “offensive behavior.”
“Responsibility cannot be replaced by a refusal of responsibility,” the organization said.
According to the foundation, during a period of rising antisemitism, culture should promote awareness and build bridges, not use its prestige to rehabilitate a person who praised Hitler.
“The exhibition is no longer, but The Met’s moral failure remains,” the statement said.
Read more Putin admitted: Ukraine damaged 100 Russian ships in 40 days
