He’s no longer in favor—and neither is she.
John Galliano, the designer known for his controversial admiration of Hitler, has stepped back from a planned celebration at the Met Gala, responding to significant backlash. This decision has certainly impacted Anna Wintour, a prominent supporter of the event.
“After reflecting and discussing with everyone involved, I’ve come to the sad conclusion that it’s best for the exhibition not to occur at this time,” Galliano stated.
Galliano, a 65-year-old fashion icon who once held a prestigious position at Dior, faced increasing pressure from New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, affluent donors of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and various Jewish community leaders.
For weeks, critics debated the appropriateness of honoring Galliano, questioning the museum’s decision as soon as it was announced.
The situation escalated with Menin’s vocal opposition, which prompted urgent conversations among gala planners and those funding the event, including donors who threatened to withdraw their financial support.
“They should have never made that decision in the first place,” Menin, whose family has Holocaust survivor roots, told The Post. She even attempted to persuade Wintour through a Zoom call that the gala honoring Galliano would be a misstep.
“Displaying the work of controversial figures is one thing, but honoring someone’s legacy crosses a line,” she articulated.
Prominent Met donor Alice Tisch expressed her concerns: “When I thought about it more, I felt increasingly uneasy. I started discussing it with a few friends who are Met trustees.”
Tisch criticized Wintour’s judgment, suggesting that her admiration for Galliano blinded her to the designer’s past actions. “It seems like she became so enamored with Galliano that she lost perspective,” she remarked.
Despite the backlash, Wintour stood firm and praised Galliano’s choice to withdraw as “very courageous,” which led to even more frustration among her colleagues at Condé Nast, who felt she was out of touch.
One insider described the situation as “a big tone-deaf moment,” while another expressed dismay at how poorly it was handled.
The Met Gala has honored only two living fashion designers in its 78-year history, and Galliano would have been among them, with attendees showcasing his designs or inspired outfits.
The retrospective of his work was scheduled to coincide with Holocaust Remembrance Day on May 3, 2027.
Galliano had previously made headlines in 2011 after videos surfaced showing him making abhorrent anti-Semitic and racist remarks. He was recorded verbally attacking individuals in a Paris café, leading to his swift fall from grace in the fashion world as he was dropped by Dior and faced legal consequences.
After a period of apparent rehabilitation, he re-entered the fashion scene, in part due to Wintour’s influence, who helped him secure new opportunities.
In her statement, Wintour reiterated her support for Galliano, emphasizing what she called the courage of his decision. However, many at Vogue believe that the fiasco was largely due to Wintour’s own misjudgment and the support from those who fail to challenge her views.
A source from Vogue noted, “It’s disheartening to see how this unfolded. Everyone is whispering behind her back, pointing out issues that no one had the guts to raise directly.” Concerns among staff members about the gala’s planning were muted, leading to what many now consider a serious blunder.
There have been discussions about the role of influential figures from the Jewish community, such as Jonathan Greenblatt, who had communicated with Met leadership months prior, urging them to reconsider the decision.
“It’s a mix of factors—concerns from donors, board members, and influential voices that couldn’t be ignored,” noted a source.
The incident has prompted broader reflections within the Met. One significant donor expressed concern about future repercussions, emphasizing that the situation should never have escalated to this level.
Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council, also highlighted the absurdity of honoring someone with Galliano’s past while scheduling an event on Holocaust Remembrance Day in New York City. “This isn’t just about logistics; it’s a serious question of judgment,” he stated.
