Karl Lagerfeld: A Beauty Line
This year’s exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the accompanying Met Gala pay homage to fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. The retrospective spans more than five decades of Lagerfeld’s creative journey, from the 1950s through his final runway collection in 2019, shown just two weeks after his passing.
For the prom, the dress code was crisp and direct: “In honor of Karl.”
Actress Penélope Cruz, singer Dua Lipa, screenwriter Michaela Coel, and tennis legend Roger Federer will co-chair the Met Gala 2023 alongside Vogue Global Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour.
bottle instead of flower
Continuing a trend from the Oscars, the Met Gala introduced a champagne-colored carpet instead of the traditional red for the first time in 62 years. Guests stepped onto a light-hued carpet accented with red and blue stripes, a design by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Social media users jokingly likened the runway to a toothpaste stripe, sparking a wave of playful memes.
Decor elements featured light installations crafted from recycled bottles, with chandeliers suspended from the ceiling made from the same material. Organizers pledged that all bottles used as decor would be recycled for reuse after the event.
Cockroach – the main star of the red carpet
A viral thread on social media centered around an unexpected cockroach that scurried up the Met’s stairs. Observers quipped about photographers’ boredom while waiting for big stars, speculating on who might have shown up, and joking about the insect’s invitation. Reports later noted the insect’s untimely demise, prompting tributes that mixed humor with a touch of pathos.
Karl Lagerfeld’s cats
Unlike an intruder, Lagerfeld’s beloved Burmese cat Choupette was invited in spirit to the Met Gala 2023 but did not attend in person. On prom day, Choupette’s official social media presence conveyed that she would stay at home. Yet the event still honored the feline muse in playful ways. Jared Leto appeared on the red carpet dressed as a cat before morphing into a Gucci-inspired look, Doja Cat wore an Oscar de la Renta ensemble with ears and claw-like manicure, and Lil Nas X chose a silver-body costume adorned with crystals. Makeup artist Pat McGrath dedicated hours to her look, while Edward Enninful kept his appearance understated with a cat-face motif on a tie.
Nostalgic
The Met Gala 2023 showcased a pronounced vintage influence. Nicole Kidman wore a dress from Chanel’s 2004 couture archive. Chanel’s heritage outfits were echoed by top models Naomi Campbell (2010 collection) and Gisele Bündchen (2007), alongside Penélope Cruz (1988), Margot Robbie (1993), Dua Lipa (1992), and Jenny of Blackpink (1990). These selections highlighted the enduring pull of archival fashion and timeless silhouettes.
Chanel’s legacy also colored the selections of other high-profile guests, reinforcing the gala’s respect for historic design while letting contemporary stars reinterpret it for the moment.
bridal gown
Whether celebrating Lagerfeld’s era at Chanel or the broader couture world, bridal aesthetics remained a focal point of the evening. Model Irina Shayk wore a Yohji Yamamoto piece from 1998, complemented by flat footwear. Elle Fanning nominated stylists who have defined modern bridal references, with Victoria’s Secret alumnae and other fashion icons cited in discussions around bridal imagination. A model named Alton Mason turned heads with a bridal-inspired persona, underscoring the gala’s openness to theatrical storytelling.
Pearls, camellias and tweed
Those who leaned away from Chanel often drew on other signature touches, such as camellias, pearls, and tweed. Rihanna wore a camellia-patterned cape by Valentino, while Kim Kardashian chose a Schiaparelli gown embellished with tens of thousands of pearls. Anne Hathaway reinforced the tweed motif with a Versace ensemble, weaving house codes into contemporary glamor.
“In honor of Karl”
Many attendees mirrored Lagerfeld’s iconic style. Kendall Jenner wore a black Marc Jacobs bodysuit paired with a white collar, while Cardi B and Jenna Ortega paid homage with Thom Browne dresses inspired by Lagerfeld’s wardrobe. Kristen Stewart embraced a tailored, artistically assembled look that referenced Lagerfeld’s own creative approach.
fans
Karl Lagerfeld’s influence resonated with fans who joined the spectacle. Notable attendees included Carla Bruni and James McAvoy. A playful moment featured Amber Valletta and Jordan Roth both wearing fan-shaped outfits, a nod to Lagerfeld’s affinity for dramatic theatrics.
best couple outs
Anna Wintour publicly acknowledged a friendship with actor Bill Nighy during the gala, marking a visible moment for their collaboration. Meanwhile, couples such as Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian, and Karlie Kloss with Joshua Kushner, announced family expansions in the wake of the event. Alongside these stories, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, Suki Waterhouse and Robert Pattinson, Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn Beckham, Nicole Kidman and Taika Waititi, Rita Ora and Taika Waititi, and Priyanka Chopra with Joe Jonas kept anticipation high for subsequent appearances at the Met.
The Met’s crowd looked forward to appearances by a broader roster of stars, considering anticipated guests and the ongoing conversation about style, celebrity, and fashion history that the gala continually sparks (Source: industry reports).