The Metropolitan Museum of Art has selected designer John Galliano as the focus of its 2027 spring Costume Institute exhibition, making him only the third living designer to receive this honour. Vogue's chief content officer Anna Wintour emphasized Galliano's substantial body of work across multiple prestigious houses, describing his creative output as a fusion of intellectual rigour and emotional depth that spans historical and contemporary themes.

The announcement revived scrutiny of Galliano's past: approximately fifteen years prior, he faced criminal charges in France for hate speech and was dismissed from his position at Dior following the incident. Galliano subsequently issued a public apology, stating his commitment against all forms of prejudice and discrimination. The museum signalled its approach will be comprehensive, acknowledging that the exhibition intends to address the entirety of his career trajectory, including its darker chapters, rather than glossing over the controversy.