The biggest – and most stylish – stars descended the iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum in New York City on Monday, May 1 for the 2023 Met Gala.
The dress code for the 2023 fashion extravaganza is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, a tribute to the controversial fashion designer.
Kim Kardashian arrived beaded and looked absolutely gorgeous — as she seemingly casually revisited her 2007 Playboy look.
Kim, 42, wears bespoke schiaparelli covered in 50,000 beads that have been hand-strung and draped over her body.
The mother-of-four revealed she wanted pearls because “which is more Karl” than “iconic Chanel pearls,” she said during her interview on Vogue.com’s livestream.
Gisele and pregnant Rihanna honored Karl in their striking dresses as they brought their A-game to fashion’s biggest night!
Unique: Kim, 42, dripped into real pearls for her Met Gala look; she wears Schiaparelli
Details: The dress featured multiple tiers of beads draped along a nude bodysuit and white draped coat
Pearls: The mother-of-four revealed she wanted pearls because “which is more Karl” than “iconic Chanel pearls,” she said during her interview on Vogue.com’s livestream
Throwback: Kim wore layers of pearls for her 2007 Playboy shoot, seen here
Supermodel: Gisele stuns in her white dress and matching feathered cape
Make the Met carpet her catwalk! The 2023 Met Gala was her first since splitting from ex-husband Tom Brady
What an arrival! Pregnant Rihanna looked incredible in a white dress with a floral veil as she posed on the carpet with partner A$AP Rocky
A closer look: The gorgeous singer covered up her baby bump in the three-dimensional floral accents on the dress
That it factor! Rihanna, who announced her second pregnancy during her Super Bowl halftime performance in February, added red lipstick and sunglasses
Power couple: Rihanna and A$AP caused quite a stir at the foot of the Met Museum steps
What an arrival: The artist was walking up the stairs as she set up a storm
Looks fantastic! She pulled down the coat to reveal the dress underneath, which highlighted her baby bump
Radiant: The star’s dress featured a rose detail down the center that coordinated with her coat; She added a large diamond necklace and matching earrings
The Met Gala will have Penelope Cruz, Michaela Coel, Roger Federer and Dua Lipa as co-chairs along with Anna Wintour.
Vogue magazine announced the news in January via its social media and website, writing on Instagram: “This year’s #MetGala – benefiting the @metcostumeinstitute of the @metmuseum – takes place on May 1st and will be one of the biggest Honoring fashion talent: Karl Lagerfeld.’
The outlet added that the 2023 theme will be “in honor of Karl.”
Karl died on February 19, 2019 at the age of 85 from complications of pancreatic cancer.
The fashion designer acted as a creative designer for Chanel, Fendi as well as his own label.
He also collaborated with Chloe, Patou and Balmain during his fashion career.
La La Anthony opened the Met Gala in style, rocking a white gown accented with gold accents that was attached to a diamond bracelet.
Chloe Fineman looked spring-ready in a sparkling pink, black and purple dress and added a cat-shaped handbag in honor of Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved cat, Choupette.
sisters, sisters! Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner arrived in very different looks
legs for days! Kendall wore a shimmering bodysuit with a black and white train, spiked heels and her hair pulled back in a ponytail
Cheeky! Kendall’s perky butt was on display in the fast-paced number
Ready for her closeup! Kendall’s sequin number featured a silver collar that matched her floral earrings perfectly
red hot! Kylie Jenner wore a crimson and blue dress that showed off her toned legs
heads turn! Jennifer Lopez donned a Ralph Lauren dress and chose to flaunt her flat waist
One Look: Jennifer wore a statement hat and nude clutch bag
Dramatic train: Jennifer’s train drove several meters behind her
Dazzling: Cardi B pays homage to Karl Lagerfeld with her silver locks as she rocks a stunningly structured dress
Quite an entrance! Janelle Monae donned a leotard with a sheer hoop dress over it and added statement shoes
Gorgeous: Margot Robbie wore Chanel in a look worn by Cindy Crawford in 1993, designed by Karl
Edgy: Gig Hadid wore a sheer black bodice and skirt, complete with a coordinating train
Iconic: Rita Ora stuns in a black sheer dress with a dramatic train
Husband and wife: Rita arrived at the Met Gala with her husband, director Taika Waititi
Transformation! Jessica Chastain dyed her red hair platinum blonde and revealed her new hair color at Monday’s Met Gala
Gorgeous: Jessica donned a Gucci dress that featured a sweetheart neckline and matching gloves
Insight! Jessica is known for her fiery red locks
Surprise! Karlie Kloss announced she’s expecting her second child during Monday’s Met Gala, revealing her baby bump
Duo: Karlie and her husband Joshua Kushner are already parents to son Levi, whom they welcomed in 2021
Clearly! Florence Pugh shaved her hair — and dyed it black — for the Met Gala
Karl inspires! Cara Delevingne donned a plunging white dress with a long train and black leg warmers, adding stiletto heels
Iconic: Anne Hathaway wore a Versace dress that was safety pinned throughout; During her interview on Vogue.com’s livestream, she said the look is a marriage between Chanel and Versace
Stunning: Gisele arrived in a striking vintage Chanel look, which she wore for the brand in an editorial with him
Smoldering: Dua Lipa wore a cream textured dress with a bodice and a long, floor-length skirt
Bridal white: Penelope wore a dress with silver accents and a veil detail that showed off her luscious cleavage
On its website, Vogue offered some styling tips to the lucky few invited to attend the Met Gala this year, and shared a list of “approaches” they can take when it comes to paying homage to Karl.
“The first, most authentic approach would be to wear an archive look from one of the labels Lagerfeld runs,” it suggested.
“The second would be to wear the modern Chanel or Fendi, two houses on which Lagerfeld left an indelible mark.”
The final recommendation was for guests to find their own version of Karl’s beloved cat, Choupette, and “dress a la Lagerfeld.”
“Lagerfeld, we suspect, would have hated a half-hearted tribute, and with such an immense oeuvre, guests should have no trouble finding a unique piece,” it continued.
Born in Hamburg, Karl moved to Paris in 1953.
He won an International Wool Secretariat competition in the coats category for his designer, along with Yves Saint Laurent, who won in the dresses category.
Soon after, he was hired as an assistant and later an apprentice to Pierre Balmain; He worked with Pierre for three years.
In 1958, Karl was hired as artistic director of Jean Patou and worked with the brand on ten haute couture collections, according to Business of Fashion.
In 1964, Karl began freelancing for Chloe; Three years later he started working with Fendi.
What a tribute! Jared Leto dresses up as Choupette, Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved cat
Shock! Jared as Choupette hugs Lizzo on the red carpet
Stunning: Nicole Kidman wore the same dress from her Chanel No. 5 commercial from 2004
Couple: Nicole arrived with her husband Keith Urban
Angelic: Irina Shayk donned a silky white dress with floral accents and added slippers
In love: Suki Waterhouse and partner Robert Pattinson couldn’t keep their eyes off each other
Edgy: Phoebe Bridgers chose a black and sheer mesh dress with beaded detailing along the sleeves and dress
Elegant: Eaddy Kiernan Bunzel donned a black and white dress with a statement accent at the centre
Co-Chairs: Anna Wintour arrived in a patterned dress with a white petticoat; seen with actor Bill Nighy
Luminous: Alexandra Michler Kopelman, who is married to Drew Barrymore’s ex-husband Will Kopelman, showcased her baby bump in a black-and-white feathered number
In 1983 he began collaborating with Chanel, reviving the fashion house with the now iconic interlocking CC logo, resizing the bags and jewelry and updating the silhouette of the clothing for the brand.
In 1984 Karl founded his own brand Karl Lagerfeld.
The Met Gala was founded in 1948 by Eleanor Lambert, a fashion publicist; She founded it as a fundraiser for the Costume Institute ahead of its first annual exhibition.
The gala was attended by members of high society and the fashion industry.
From 1948 to 1972, the gala was held in Central Park, the Waldorf Astoria, and the Rainbow Room.
In 1972, Diana Vreeland became an advisor to the Costume Institute; The participants were more prominently oriented.
Elizabeth Taylor, Cher, Madonna and more have been on the guest lists at previous galas.
Anna, the editor-in-chief of Vogue, took over the chair position for the gala in 1995 and has held it ever since.
Every year Anna leads the event together with top-class participants; last year its co-chairs were Blake Lively, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Regina King.
Icon: Karl died of complications from pancreatic cancer on February 19, 2019 at the age of 85; seen on October 1, 2013
Penelope, 48, co-chair of 2023, has been a Hollywood mainstay since 1992; Co-Chair Dua Lipa, 27, began her singing career in 2015 and has dominated the music scene ever since.
Co-Chair Michaela, a 35-year-old actress and screenwriter, is known for her roles in I May Destroy You, Black Mirror, Black Earth Rising, Been So Long and Chewing Gum.
Co-Chair Roger, 41, is a former professional tennis player with over 20 Grand Slam titles and numerous Wimbledon and US Open titles.
Over the years, Karl has sparked controversy over a series of well-aimed comments aimed at celebrities and well-known figures over the years.
Karl blamed Kim Kardashian for her 2016 gunpoint robbery in Paris, claiming she sustained the horrific ordeal by flaunting her wealth.
He told the Telegraph: “I don’t understand why she was in a hotel without such security. When you’re famous enough to put all your jewelry online, you [should] Go to hotels where nobody can come close to the room. You can’t flaunt your wealth and then be surprised that some people want to share it with you.’
The late fashion designer also called Adele “too fat” in an interview: “The thing at the moment is Adele. She’s a bit fat, but she has a beautiful face and a divine voice.”
He later said his quotes were taken out of context and apologized; However, in his apology, he appeared to shadow Lana del Rey, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Karl said: “I would like to say to Adele that I am your biggest admirer. Sometimes when you take a sentence out of the article, the meaning of the thought changes. What I said was in reference to Lana del Rey, and the phrase has since been taken out of context as originally published. I actually prefer Adele. She is my favorite singer and I admire her a lot.”
“I lost over 30 pounds over 10 years ago and have kept it off. I know how it feels when the press is mean to you about your looks. Adele is a beautiful girl. She is the best. And I can’t wait for their next CD.”
He also said he believes Lana is full of “implants”; he described singer MIA as someone who “didn’t behave in the best way”.
News: The Met Gala dress code and co-chairs were announced in January. The dress code for the 2023 fashion extravaganza is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, a tribute to the late fashion designer
His Words: Over the years, Karl has stirred controversy over a series of well-aimed comments aimed at celebrities and well-known figures over the years; seen on January 21, 2014
Striking: The stairs were kept in white, red and blue
He made the comment about MIA after she gave cameras the middle finger while appearing at the Super Bowl halftime show with Madonna in 2012, according to Page Six.
“People are so quick to give the middle finger these days – that’s not the best behavior, everyone does that, what’s new about that? It’s just become a bad habit.”
“Women in magazines are 50% chicks and 50% pregnant women.”
Karl said of Heidi Klum: “I don’t know Heidi Klum. She was never known in France. Even Claudia Schiffer doesn’t know who she is.’
He also spoke of Heidi’s ex-husband Seal: “I’m not a dermatologist, but I wouldn’t want his skin. Mine looks better than his. His is cratered.’
He commented on what he called “small, unattractive people”: Life is not a beauty pageant, some [ugly people] are great. What I hate is ugly, ugly people… worst of all, ugly, little men. Women can be small, but it is impossible for men. It’s something they won’t forgive in life… they’re mean and they want to kill you.’
Karl also slammed the #MeToo movement, revealing that he was “fed up” with models and actresses speaking out about the sexual harassment they’ve been subjected to over the years.
He also opened up about his dislike of Pippa Middleton, saying: “Kate had a beautiful silhouette and she’s the right girl for this boy. I like this kind of woman, I like romantic beauties. On the other side her sister fights. I don’t like the sister’s face. She should just show her back.’
In his book The World After Karl, he criticized people who wore sweatpants: “Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life so you bought a pair of sweatpants.”