Divisive looks emerged as guests paid homage to the late Karl Lagerfeld’s iconic designs at the 2023 Met Gala. As A-listers Anna Wintour through to Taika Waititi floated in, monochromatic gowns, hyper-feminine detailing, and plenty of blushing hues were left in their wake. Fitting, considering this year’s theme was Karl Largerfeld: A Line of Beauty which refers to the late Lagerfeld’s belief that beauty is found in simplicity, and that the essence of beauty can be captured in a single line.
For the most part, celebrities kept their hair and make-up pared back and subdued; there were subtle blow outs, low sweeping buns, hooded eyeliner, minimal satin lip tints and a wash of iridescent colour on the lids – techniques we can apply to our own Rolodex of formal beauty looks. This theme generated more wearable styles than previous years with possibly the least diversion from the theme – ever. Some may argue the celebrities were too restrained, others it was the epitome of modern elegance.
From Daisy Edgar Jones is a custom Gucci embroidered gown and Anne Hathaway’s Atelier Versace to Jared Leto’s literal interpretation of Lagerfeld beloved cat Choupette, decide which looks from our list skyrocket to the top of yours:
Anne Hathaway in Atelier Versace
The figure-hugging and slashed gown references Versace silhouettes of the 1990s Supermodel era. The design took the Atelier over 450 hours of handcraft and 15 meters of fabric to complete. The gown was worn with matching tweed motorcycle jacket and long gloves.
Daisy Edgar Jones in Gucci
“It’s a black two-piece set, which features white piping and bow details, as well as a camellia flower at the front,” she says of her look. “Its classic aesthetic, along with the colour palette, nods to Karl’s time at Chanel, but it’s also got its Gucci twists. It’s the most beautiful outfit I’ve ever worn. I feel very elegant but also comfortable in it.”
Giselle Bündchen in Chanel
Gisele Bündchen wears a white silk tulle gown embroidered with sequins, feathers and camellias from Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2007.
Margot Robbie in Vintage Chanel
Margot Robbie Pays Homage to Karl Lagerfeld and Cindy Crawford in Vintage Chanel. The dress, designed by Lagerfeld during his long tenure with the iconic French fashion house, was originally worn by supermodel Cindy Crawford in 1993.
Billie Eilish in Simone Rocha
Simone Rocha created a custom look in celebration of her talent & powerful femininity. Reflecting emotion, fragility, strength and femininity, the design evolved into a layered piece, revealing what lies beneath. Featuring hand-appliqued found lace, tinsel cotton tweed , patchworked into a tapestry of memories, tied with black ribbons, and hand-embellished jet drips suspended from the body.
Jenna Ortega in Thom Browne
Jenna Ortega wears a custom cropped jacket and reconstructed coat draped skirt by Thom Browne in black chiffon tweed with lacing detail and 1,000 appliquéd black crystals over a black, gold, and pearl embroidered pannier over a black peau de soie corset dress with lacing detail and gold chains throughout, and a black silk organza shirt with a black silk faille tie.
Mindy Kaling in Jonathan Simkhai
Mindy Kaling’s structured silhouette is fringed by tassels and a Swarovski embellished straight cut, adding to the dreamy structure. Taking a cue from the pearl concept that pays an ode to Karl Lagerfeld’s design legacy, Mindy Kaling’s corset type dress featured floral motifs that has a 3D effect to it.
Quinta Brunson in Atelier Prabal Gurung
Quinta Brunson wears an Atelier Prabal Gurung dusty pink duchess satin column gown hand-embroidered with bursts of multiple crystals and an overlay of black silk tulle with camilia flower and hand draped duchess satin and a silk tulle train.
Sydney Sweeney in custom Miu Miu
Sydney Sweeney wears a custom Miu Miu nude chiffon gown with floral crystal embroidery, finished with a black chiffon bow detail.
Imaan Hammam
Maya Hawke in custom Prada
Dua Lipa in Vintage Chanel Bridal
Dua Lipa honoured the late German fashion designer by wearing one of his Chanel Haute Couture bridal gowns, which famously closed out every catwalk. Lipa’s knitted corset gown was originally modelled by Lagerfeld’s longtime muse, Claudia Schiffer, during the Chanel couture fall/winter 1992 show.
Kate Moss and Lila Moss wear Fendi
Taika Waititi wears Atelier Prabal Gurung
Taika Waititi wears an Atelier Prabal Gurung gunmetal floor-length structured wrap coat with black liquid silk satin lapel, white satin trousers, and hand-made silk flower and pearl chains.
Emily Ratajkowski wears Tory Burch
Emily Ratajkowski pays homage to Karl Lagerfeld’s signature style through the intricate bodice design inspired by the quilted pattern of a classic Chanel bag. And don’t get us started on the Audrey Hepburn bangs and dramatic smokey eye…
Jared Leto wears… Chanel?
Jared Leto arrived on the carpet wearing an incredibly intricate feline costume made in the likeness of Lagerfeld’s famed Birman, Choupette.
