MET GALA 2023 LOOKS WE LOVED

Words by Jamal Grootboom | Images: Getty Images

This year’s Met Gala paid tribute to former Balmain, Patou, Chloé and ultimately Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld to honour the designer's work throughout his decades-long career. Thus, the theme was ‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty’.

The annual fundraiser for The Costume Institute which funds the exhibitions at The Metropolitan Museum of Art featured A-listers from music, sport, television and movies in attendance.

Known as the biggest night in fashion, the Met Gala is the Super Bowl for all fashion lovers, with adherence and interpretation of the theme being the main aspect to assess who slayed or failed. This year saw many attendees adhere to the theme, stepping out in archival pieces, newer Chanel pieces, and looks inspired by the haute couture fashion house during Karl’s tenure or the man himself.

While the majority hit the nail on the head when it comes to theme appropriateness, there was still a clear divide between those that had us gagging at their eleganza and those who should have rather stayed at home.

In a surprise turn of events, the men showed up and showed out. For many years the general complaint has been that men attending the event have a habit of doing the bare minimum, usually opting for a basic tuxedo. However, this year those who did show up in regular tuxedos were in the minority while the rest came in serving lewks.

Bad Bunny looked demure in what initially looked like a basic all-white Jacquemus suit with a floral boa going into a train. However, when he turned around we saw a sultry exposed back with a J chain.

Jeremy Pope was another showstopper. Flaunting a head-to-toe custom Balmain ensemble, he stunned in black flared pants and a train from his white top that featured Karl’s face on it. Conan Gray was another Balmain boy that came in hot, with a deconstructed blazer top that had pearl detailing all along the edges.

Brian Tyree Henry paid homage to the late designer with his ensemble put together from archive pieces from Karl’s own label. Other standouts were Taika Waititi in Prabal Gurung, Diddy in Sean John Couture and Dwyane Wade in Prada.

While many Met heavy hitters such as Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker, Blake Lively, Beyoncé and Zendaya were marked absent, The ones that did grace us with their attendance didn’t disappoint. Making her debut at the Met Gala, Doja Cat arrived in an Oscar de la Renta hooded gown evoking Karl’s beloved cat, Choupette, along with a facial prosthetic that gave her a feline nose. Very few commit to a complete look as she does, and the look perfectly combined her quirky sensibility with the theme while still giving fashion.

Cardi B is the fashion girl she thinks she is. She came to the event in not one, not two, but three looks with each one hitting the mark perfectly. The main look she wore on the red carpet referenced the iconic Chanel Camellia flower from the waist down and Karl from the waist up in a full ballgown by Chenpeng Studio.

'Wednesday' star Jenna Ortega interpreted the modern Karl woman in a Thom Browne high-low corset gown paired with a bolero jacket and whimsical heels. The Thom Browne crew collectively stole the night, with Janelle Monáe even giving us a reveal in their wrap-around tweed jacket over a hoop skirt.

Co-chairperson for the evening, Dua Lipa had one of the best archive pulls with a vintage Chanel AW/1992 wedding dress, an ingenious move as Karl was known for his stunning wedding gowns.

After many hours of waiting, queen of the Met Gala Rihanna Robyn Fenty closed out the red carpet in an elaborate Valentino gown and coat embellished with Chanel-inspired Camellias that each took 30 hours to make. Accessorising them with white sunglasses that had false lashes glued on them. Other standouts include Anne Hathaway in custom Versace, Michaela Coel in Schiaparelli, Ashley Graham in Harris Reed and Tems in custom Rober Wun.