Met Gala 2026 theme, ‘Costume Art,’ explained
The 2026 Met Gala will officially return on Monday, May 4 with the theme “Costume Art.” Here’s what to know about this year’s dress code and exhibit.
The Met Gala’s exhibition dedicated to controversial designer John Galliano is no longer.
The Costume Institute’s 2027 spring exhibition and gala, previously announced as a tribute to the British designer, has been canceled, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Galliano announced Monday, Aug. 31.
“Following thoughtful discussions with John Galliano, we have together decided not to proceed with the exhibition,” Max Hollein, director and CEO of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, said in a statement.
In his own statement, Galliano said he was “profoundly grateful” for the honor, but after “much reflection” he has decided he does 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.”
Galliano – who recently began a two-year creative partnership with Zara – has been known as one of the greatest fashion visionaries, with legendary creative director roles at Dior and Givenchy and designs beloved by stars like Nicole Kidman, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Charlize Theron and even Princess Diana. But the designer suffered a fall from grace in 2011 after he was arrested for antisemitic and racist incidents, the catalyst for the backlash to his selection as the subject of the Met’s exhibit and its accompanying gala.
In addition to Galliano, both Andrew Bolton, Curator in Charge of The Met’s Costume Institute, and Anna Wintour addressed the decision to cancel the controversial exhibition.
In his statement, Bolton said he believed “deeply in the responsibility of museums to examine difficult histories with rigor, candor, and care.”
He continued: “I also recognize the pain and concern this exhibition has caused. After extensive discussion, I support the decision not to proceed. I remain deeply grateful to my colleagues and to the advisors, lenders, collaborators, and community leaders who contributed their knowledge, trust, and perspectives to the project.”
Wintor added: “John’s decision that the exhibition devoted to his work should not take place at this time is very courageous and a measure of the man he is. I believe this is the right decision, and both he and the Museum have my full support.”
John Galliano statement: Designer is ‘fully accountable’ for controversial remarks
“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. 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.
“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. I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to all those who have guided, supported and accompanied me throughout these fifteen years of sobriety and recovery from alcoholism and addiction. Your wisdom, patience and humanity have helped me more than I can ever adequately express.
“I remain profoundly indebted to you for giving me, as you promised, a life better than I could ever have dreamt of. My gratitude to The Met, Max, Andrew and Anna remains profound and enduring. Their generosity, humanity and belief in the importance of fashion as art, culture and history, as well as their understanding of human fragility and the possibility of growth, will remain with me always.”
What is the controversy?
In 2011, the designer was arrested for antisemitic and racist incidents on two separate occasions. In one incident, which was captured on video, he professed his love for Hitler while drunk at a Paris bar. His actions led to his firing from Dior, and he was eventually convicted of committing two hate crimes, resulting in a fine from the Paris courts.
Following the conviction, Galliano entered rehabilitation and remained out of the fashion spotlight for a few years before taking on a new role as creative director of Maison Margiela in 2014.
The news of the 2027 Met exhibition elicited a range of reactions online. While some praised the theme, expressing excitement for the plethora of archival fashion possibilities for the upcoming Met Gala, others questioned why Galliano should receive this honor, upon the resurfacing of his past remarks and legal troubles.
“The Met Gala theme has just been released. And this year instead of just being out of touch and tone deaf, it’s also racist and antisemitic,” one user posted on Threads.
The backlash went beyond online and reached political figures like New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, who sent The Met committee a letter urging them to reconsider honoring Galliano. Following the Aug. 31 announcement, Menin issued a statement saying she was “pleased” that The Met has made the decision to cancel the Galliano exhibit.
“From the beginning, I have told them that I strongly disagreed with this decision, and at this rising time of antisemitism, it had served as a gut punch to the Jewish community. This is the correct decision, as the harm and pain this was causing was simply unacceptable,” she said. “Museums such as The Met must be held to a high standard of inclusiveness and tolerance, and I am pleased that they have listened to the concerns I have raised and reacted with the right decision.”
A new spring exhibition for the 2027 Met Gala will be announced at a later date, per the announcement.