NYC official speaks out after John Galliano distances himself from 2027 Met Gala

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin is speaking out after fashion designer John Galliano was removed from the upcoming 2027 Met Gala and Met Costume Institute exhibition.

The decision came after backlash following the announcement that the exhibition would honour Galliano's work. The designer previously faced serious controversy back in 2011 after making antisemitic and racist remarks, which led to legal consequences in France at the time. Not only was he convicted of committing two hate crimes in Paris, he also faced a fine equivalent to $8,500.

Menin, who was among the first public officials to publicly call for Galliano's removal from the event, justified feeling strongly about speaking out, especially given that the city provides significant public funding to the museum each year. 

“I felt very strongly that this was the wrong move, that this was a grave mistake, and that I was 100% going to fight this and speak out against it,” she told People.

She said she engaged in direct conversations with Met officials, expressing concern that honouring Galliano would send the wrong message.

“I had productive conversations with Andrew Bolton and with Anna Wintour, and with Met officials and Met board members. And in all the conversations, I made this strong case that this was a mistake, that they should reverse course, that this had wide-ranging reverberations, because it’s basically condoning and elevating someone with a history of these remarks.”

She also criticised how the decision to feature Galliano was made, saying it should have gone through more thorough internal review before being announced publicly.

“A decision that was as controversial as John Galliano should have been thoroughly vetted and discussed by the full board, which it was not,” she raised.

“To honour and laud someone who has a longstanding history of deeply offensive, antisemitic and anti-Asian remarks is not acceptable,” she added. “And at a time when there is an enormous rise in antisemitism in New York City, across the country and across the world, to have an iconic institution like the Met laud, elevate and celebrate someone who’s made these remarks is unacceptable.”

While no new theme has been confirmed for the 2027 Met Gala, sources say museum officials have alternative plans already being considered, following pressure from donors who threatened to withdraw support if Galliano's exhibition moved forward.

Galliano has previously spoken about his past controversies, expressing remorse in a documentary interview from 2024, titled High & Low — John Galliano.  “I can say I’m not racist, but every day you actually learn that all of us are a bit. But we just need to unlearn it and like immigrants. I am one. I was one,” he said at the time.

In a recent statement, he explained that he decided to step back from the exhibition out of respect for the pain his past actions caused.

He also said, “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 recognise and respect that an exhibition honouring my work would be painful for some.”

He added that meaningful change comes through ongoing personal accountability rather than a single event.

Met Gala chair Anna Wintour also issued a statement, expressing support for Galliano's decision.

A new exhibition theme and Met Gala details are expected to be announced at a later date.