NEW YORK (VINnews) — Metropolitan Museum of Art executives are set to hold an emergency meeting Sunday over growing backlash to the museum’s decision to honor fashion designer John Galliano at next year’s Met Gala, the New York Post reported.

The meeting comes after New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin called the decision a “serious mistake” and urged the museum to reconsider. Menin, the first Jewish speaker of the City Council and the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, said she was particularly troubled by Galliano’s history of antisemitic remarks.

Galliano was convicted of a hate crime in 2011 after an antisemitic outburst in which he said he loved Hitler. He later apologized, saying he did not remember the incidents and had struggled with alcohol and drug addiction.

My letter to The Met urging them to reconsider honoring John Galliano at the next Met Gala: pic.twitter.com/ZRxhzg4MeY

— Speaker Julie Menin (@SpeakerMenin) August 29, 2026

Menin also raised concerns about a reported 2019 incident involving Galliano that she said was never investigated. A spokesperson for Galliano denied those allegations.

The Met has said it has no tolerance for antisemitism, racism or prejudice and is consulting Jewish leaders and other stakeholders about the concerns. The museum said the planned exhibition will address Galliano’s antisemitic, racist and anti-Asian conduct in 2010 and 2011.

The Met has not responded to the New York Post’s request for comment, according to the newspaper.