The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has canceled its planned retrospective of fashion designer John Galliano, following public outcry over his past antisemitic and anti-Asian remarks. The decision came after Galliano withdrew from the exhibition, which was slated to open in May with the Met Gala. Critics, including New York City Council member Julie Menin, denounced the tribute as inappropriate, especially given the timing on Holocaust Remembrance Day. The museum had attempted to mitigate backlash by arranging meetings with rabbis, but the controversy persisted.

Galliano, a celebrated designer for Givenchy, Dior, and Maison Margiela, has a history of verbal abuse and hateful outbursts. In 2011, he was convicted of hate crimes for antisemitic and anti-Asian tirades in a Paris bar, captured on video. Despite his apology, citing intoxication, the incidents have overshadowed his career. The Met's initial plan to include an "orientation gallery" providing context was seen by many as insufficient.

Elisha Wiesel, son of Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, criticized the museum's decision, comparing the hypothetical honoring of someone who used racial epithets against Black people. The cancellation marks a rare stance by a major cultural institution, but questions remain about whether the fashion industry has truly learned from this episode. The Met has not announced a replacement exhibition.