John Galliano has withdrawn from a planned tribute at the Met Gala following widespread criticism and pressure from community leaders, donors, and public officials. The 65-year-old fashion designer, once celebrated as a prodigy at Dior, announced his decision on Monday, citing careful consideration and discussion with involved parties.

The move comes after months of opposition to honoring Galliano, who has a history of publicly expressed antisemitic views. City Council Speaker Julie Menin, whose family includes Holocaust survivors, played a prominent role in rallying opposition. Menin described the decision to celebrate Galliano as “very straightforward” and urged Met Gala organizers to reconsider, emphasizing the difference between exhibiting controversial art and endorsing an individual’s legacy.

Met Gala donor Alice Tisch also expressed disappointment with the initial decision to honor Galliano. She criticized Anna Wintour, the event’s chief organizer and a key supporter of the designer, suggesting that Wintour had misplaced loyalty or judgment in backing Galliano. Tisch said Wintour appeared “out of touch” with concerns surrounding Galliano’s past conduct, which included a highly publicized 2011 incident involving antisemitic remarks that led to Galliano’s dismissal from Dior and subsequent rehabilitation efforts.

Despite the backlash, Wintour, who is also chief content officer at Condé Nast and a longtime Vogue editor, initially defended the tribute. Following Galliano’s withdrawal, she praised his decision as “very courageous,” a stance that drew criticism from within her own organization. Some insiders described Wintour’s support as “tone-deaf” and questioned her judgment amid the controversy.

Had he remained part of the event, Galliano would have been only the third living fashion designer ever to receive such an honor at the Met Gala, with attendees expected to wear his creations. However, additional allegations have surfaced regarding Galliano’s behavior years after his earlier scandal. In mid-2019, reports emerged from fashion publicist Lauren London alleging that Galliano exhibited hostile conduct toward Hebrew speakers during a stay at a spa in Italy. Galliano’s representatives have denied these claims.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art and gala organizers have not commented extensively on the matter. Galliano’s decision to step aside effectively defused a contentious debate over the appropriateness of celebrating a figure with a deeply problematic history, reflecting ongoing tensions about accountability and legacy within the fashion industry.