The 2027 Met Gala Will Honor John Galliano—Everything to Know So Far
While the Met Gala is no stranger to controversy, next year’s theme has courted more contention than usual. Titled “John Galliano: Horizons,” the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2027 Costume Institute exhibition will honor one of the most influential but infamous designers in recent fashion history. Here’s what you need to know.
What is the theme of the 2027 Met Gala?
John Galliano: Horizons will examine the 65-year-old designer’s larger-than-life legacy, from his 1984 graduation show at Central Saint Martins in London to his collections while helming Givenchy, Christian Dior, his eponymous brand, as well as his eventual tenure at Maison Margiela. It will culminate in his viral spring 2024 couture Artisanal show for the later brand, where models donned porcelain-glass makeup and severely cinched silhouettes. “Every Galliano collection begins as a journey among things separated by time, place, or medium: portrait and posture, silhouette and story, memory and material,” said Andrew Bolton, curator in charge of the Costume Institute, in a statement. To better analyze his work, the exhibition will be broken up into three “movements”: “Bearings,” which connects his career to broader cultural events; “Horizons,” which looks at his inspirations; and “Atlas of Transformation,” which delves into his creative process.
The 2027 theme marks only the third time that the Met Gala has honored a living designer. The first was Yves Saint Laurent in 1983, and the second was Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons in 2017. For his part, Galliano’s Margiela has already provided iconic moments on the Met Gala steps. Rihanna famously wore an ensemble inspired by the Pope (and one of Galliano’s previous Dior collection) for the “Heavenly Bodies” theme in 2018, while Kim Kardashian and Zendaya donned theatrical Galliano looks for 2024’s “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” theme.
Why is the 2027 Met Gala theme controversial?
In 2011, Galliano was infamously ousted from Dior (and his eponymous label) when a video surfaced of him on an antisemitic tirade at a bar in Paris. At the time, he was at the height of his career—hailed as the genius who had helped reinvent Dior and Givenchy. The scandal resulted in his conviction in a French court and his unceremonious exile from the industry. That is, until 2014, when he was appointed creative director at Maison Margiela. Throughout his tenure, he worked to slowly rehabilitate his public image and successfully build on his artistic legacy. Since stepping down from the role in late 2024, Galliano has been mostly quiet—save for a surprising Zara partnership—but now, he is more visible than ever.
The exhibition will address this complicated legacy head-on. It will examine how his behaviour—and his subsequent treatment for substance abuse—have shaped the world’s perception of his work. “[Galliano] is a great designer and his career isn’t defined by a moment—something that he will live with for the rest of his life,” Anna Wintour said in a statement, per Vogue. “The exhibition won’t shy away from any of the darkness in John’s past. It’s part of what has shaped him. The show will take in the full arc of his career and grapple with all of it.”
What is the Met Gala 2027 dress code?
The exact dress code has not yet been revealed, but as is customary at the Met Gala, the sartorial prompt will be inspired by the exhibition’s theme. In 2023, when the theme was “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” the dress code was simply: “In honor of Karl.” As a result, attendees paid homage not only to the late designer’s work, but also to his signature personal style. (Cara Delevingne and Kendall Jenner emulated his black-tie uniform; Doja Cat and Jared Leto cosplayed as his cat.) For Galliano’s exhibition, we can expect severe hourglass shapes, bias-cut silhouettes, and a flair for theatricality.
Who are the co-chairs of the 2027 Met Gala?
The museum has not yet announced next year’s co-chairs. Each year, high-profile hosts are selected by Anna Wintour in conversation with the Met’s Costume Institute and revealed a few months ahead of the event.
When and where is the 2027 Met Gala?
The Met Gala takes place on the first Monday in May at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This means that in 2027, the gala will fall on May 3. The exhibition, however, will run from May 9, 2027 to January 9, 2028.
