Before unveiling John Galliano as the star of its upcoming Costume Institute exhibition, the Metropolitan Museum of Art held several meetings with Jewish leaders. The aim? To navigate the delicate balance between showcasing a controversial designer and maintaining ethical standards.

The decision to consult influential figures like Jonathan Greenblatt and Rabbi Rick Jacobs highlighted the museum's commitment to addressing Galliano’s notorious 2011 antisemitic outburst, which haunted his career for years. Despite his efforts at rehabilitation, Galliano remains a thorny choice for the exhibition.

During these discussions, Galliano and Met curator Andrew Bolton engaged in open dialogues. Rabbi Jacobs described Galliano as sincere and noted his willingness to confront difficult issues head-on. Meanwhile, Anna Wintour and Andrew Bolton underscored the urgency of confronting such ethical dilemmas without compromising artistic freedom.

The show will open with an “orientation gallery” addressing the complex issues surrounding Galliano while celebrating his talent. However, the Met's approach may face scrutiny from a wider audience as it grapples with balancing artistic merit and ethical responsibility in a world reeling from rising hate sentiments.