Wintour Faces Met Gala Turmoil as Galliano Withdraws

John Galliano has pulled out of the 2027 Met Gala after backlash, leaving Anna Wintour to reorganize the event. The designer's departure also raises questions about sponsorship, with Zara reportedly involved. Wintour had promised a scaled-down gala after last year's protests.

EXPANDED:

The 2027 Met Gala now faces an uncertain path after Galliano's withdrawal. Wintour had pledged a more restrained event following last May's protests against Amazon's involvement, which left sanitation workers cleaning up anti-Bezos posters across Manhattan. Galliano's exit complicates potential sponsorship from Zara, where he currently works on reauthoring signature looks. Zara chair Marta Ortega Pérez recently received a six-page profile in Vogue's September issue, suggesting close ties between Condé Nast and the fast-fashion retailer. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has offered no specifics, stating only that plans will be announced later.

Galliano's history remains central to the controversy. His 2011 dismissal from Dior followed a Paris café incident deemed a hate crime in France, involving antisemitic and racist remarks. His attempted rehabilitation through Zara now appears jeopardized. Wintour, at 76, faces mounting pressure from Jewish groups, Met donors, and New York