The 2027 Met Gala in New York could be moved from its planned date after criticism of the decision to centre the event on British fashion designer John Galliano, whose career was derailed by an antisemitic outburst.
Organisers are considering changing the planned date of May 3, 2027 because it coincides with Yom HaShoah, the Jewish Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day, according to reports cited by The Times of Israel. Jewish opposition to the decision has also intensified, with some donors reportedly threatening to take action if Galliano is celebrated at the event. ([timesofisrael.com](https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/met-gala-may-move-date-from-yom-hashoah-as-it-honors-galliano-who-once-praised-hitler/?utm_source=openai))
No change has been formally announced and May 3 remains the scheduled date for the annual fundraiser, which traditionally takes place on the first Monday in May.
The controversy follows the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s announcement that its Costume Institute’s spring 2027 exhibition will be John Galliano: Horizons. The exhibition is due to open at the Met Fifth Avenue on May 9, 2027, and run until January 9, 2028. ([metmuseum.org](https://www.metmuseum.org/it/press-releases/john-galliano-horizons?utm_source=openai))
Galliano was dismissed by Christian Dior in 2011 after making antisemitic and racist remarks in Paris. He was later convicted by a French court of public insults based on race, religion, ethnicity or origin.
The Met says the exhibition will address the conduct that changed the designer’s career and public reputation, alongside his creative achievements. It will include material from his work at his own label, Givenchy, Dior and Maison Margiela. ([metmuseum.org](https://www.metmuseum.org/de/exhibitions/john-galliano-horizons))
Preparations for the exhibition have included meetings between Galliano, Vogue’s Anna Wintour, Costume Institute curator Andrew Bolton and Jewish leaders in New York, the Associated Press reported.
Jonathan Greenblatt, chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League, said Galliano had “genuinely worked through the issues” behind his antisemitic outburst and that his efforts to repair the damage should be applauded. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/e1dea7639ea16e580251f19822d10db9))
But Julie Menin, the Jewish speaker of New York City Council, said cultural institutions had a responsibility to show that hatred and bigotry carried consequences, adding: “Words matter, and whom we choose to elevate is a direct statement of our values and what we are willing to tolerate.” ([timesofisrael.com](https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/met-gala-may-move-date-from-yom-hashoah-as-it-honors-galliano-who-once-praised-hitler/?utm_source=openai))
