The John Galliano retrospective that was to be The Met’s next spring exhibition at the Costume Institute is not going ahead.
“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 designer said in a post on his Instagram account, referring to the discussion around his controversial past since the show was announced in late July. “I do not want the debate surrounding me to place the Met in a difficult position or to distract from the remarkable work of the Costume Institute.
“I also recognize and respect that an exhibition honoring my work would be painful for some,” he continued. “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.”
Only two living fashion designers have been given solo monographic retrospectives at the Costume Institute: Yves Saint Laurent in 1983 and Rei Kawakubo in 2017.
