This Monday, the 2023 Met Gala took center stage at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, with celebrities, designers, influencers, and fashion insiders gathering to honor the late, great Karl Lagerfeld. The theme of this year’s event, “In Honor of Karl,” celebrated the iconic designer’s legacy, with the red carpet showcasing numerous Lagerfeld-inspired looks and tributes by the top designers in the industry, vintage collection items from the Lagerfeld past and key fashion trends as only Karl presented them!
Anitta in Marc Jacobs (@harpersbazaarus on IG)
One of the most prominent trends of the evening was the classic Chanel palette, with black, white, blush, pearls, tweed and velvet bows reigning supreme. Karl Lagerfeld designed many pieces in this black/white color palette while at Chanel. Plenty of stars wore pieces that Lagerfeld himself designed during his time at one of the many famous fashion houses. Margot Robbie donned a 1993 dress once worn by Cindy Crawford, while Nicole Kidman arrived in the iconic feathered gown from her 2004 Chanel No. 5 commercial, directed by Baz Luhrmann.
In an interview with Vogue, Kidman said, “There’s whimsy to it and it’s light as a feather. It’s couture and that’s what it should be.”
Pedro Pascal in Valentino (@harpersbazaarus on IG)
We also saw a couple of stars donning our favorite color, RED, on the White Carpet. Pedro Pascal appeared in a full Valentino Black Tie Look, featuring a red double wool oversized coat. Salma Hayek walked the carpet in her custom red Gucci gown, and Kylie Jenner stopped the show in her custom Jean-Paul Gaultier (more on her look later).
Subtle tributes to Lagerfeld were also a significant part of the night’s fashion. Co-chair and retired tennis star Roger Federer wore a suit designed by Fendi’s creative director, Kim Jones. The suit’s lining featured hand-drawn sketches inspired by Lagerfeld. Federer told CNN, “These were the most extensive preparations I’ve ever made getting dressed for an event. It was good fun.”
Anna Wintour & Bill Nighy (@fashionbombdaily on IG)
Anna Wintour, a close personal friend of the Chanel designer as well as a famous colleague and collaborator has worn Lagerfeld to many Met Galas. This year, her glamorous textured coat was a clear tribute to the many exquisite textiles that Karl selected over the years for many of his garments. Following closely behind Anna on the carpeted stairway to the Museum’s exhibit was Wintour’s stunning daughter Bee Carrozzini and hubby, Francesco Carrozzini, also of storied Vogue lineage, the son of the late Franca Sozanni former Editor-in-Chief of Italian Vogue and longtime fashion colleague and close friend of Anna’s.
Jared Leto (@harpersbazaares on IG)
In a playful nod to Lagerfeld’s beloved cat Choupette, Doja Cat, Jared Leto, and Lil Nas X arrived in full feline attire. Doja Cat’s stunning Oscar de la Renta hooded gown, paired with feline prosthetics, captivated the crowd. Kim Kardashian, known for her memorable Met Gala looks, opted for a glamorous Schiaparelli outfit, stating that she “wanted to feel glamorous” and “be dripping in pearls.” The other Kardashian looks were equally exquisite with sisters Kendall in black sequined Marc Jacobs and Kylie in show-stopping Red Jean-Paul Gaultier gown, credited by many onlookers as shutting down the red carpet on a night-of-nights for Red Carpet looks!
Some other highlights of the night: Olivia Wilde’s white and gold Chloé gown is based on a Lagerfeld design from 40 years ago. Carla Bruni, former supermodel and First Lady of France, wore Lagerfeld look that hit the runway in 2001. Take a look at some of our other favorite looks of the night below…
Donatella Versace in Versace (@donatella_versace)
Closing the night, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky made a fitting entrance in “worth the wait” Met Gala style. Rihanna’s floral Valentino gown and hooded coat evoked memories of Lagerfeld’s Chanel brides, worn by muses such as Claudia Schiffer and Cara Delevingne.
The 2023 Met Gala was a night of captivating fashion and heartfelt tributes to Karl Lagerfeld. As attendees honored the legendary designer, his timeless aesthetic themes and indelible impact on the world of fashion were on full display.
