The biggest – and most stylish – stars ascended up the famous steps at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City for the 223 Met Gala on Monday, May 1.
The 2023 fashion extravaganza dress code will be Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, paying tribute to the controversial fashion designer.
Kim Kardashian arrived dripping in pearls, looking absolutely heavenly – as she seemingly revisited her Playboy look from 2007 by accident.
Kim, 42, is wearing custom Schiaparelli, covered in 50,000 pearls that were hand-strung and draped onto her body.
The mother of four revealed that she wanted pearls because ‘what is more Karl’ than ‘iconic Chanel pearls,’ she said during her interview on Vogue.com’s livestream.
Gisele, Emily Ratajkowski and Penelope Cruz honored Karl in their statement gowns as they brought their A-game for fashion’s biggest night!
Unique: Kim, 42, was dripping in real pearls for her Met Gala look; she is wearing Schiaparelli
Details: The gown featured several layers of pearls draped along a nude bodysuit and white draped coat
Throwback: Kim wore layers of pearls for her 2007 Playboy shoot, seen here
What an arrival! Pregnant Rihanna looked incredible in a floral veiled white gown while posing on the carpet with partner A$AP Rocky
Closer look: The gorgeous singer covered up her baby bump in the three-dimensional floral accents on the frock
The Met Gala will have Penelope Cruz, Michaela Coel, Roger Federer and Dua Lipa as the co-chairs, along with Anna Wintour.
Vogue magazine announced the news in January via their social media and website, writing on Instagram: ‘This year, the #MetGala – which benefits the @metmuseum ‘s @metcostumeinstitute – falls on May 1 and will honor one of fashion’s greatest talents: Karl Lagerfeld.’
The outlet added that the 2023 theme will be ‘in honor of Karl.’
Karl died February 19, 2019 at the age of 85 following complications of pancreatic cancer.
The fashion designer served as the creative designer for Chanel, Fendi as well as his own label.
He also worked with Chloe, Patou and Balmain during his career in fashion.
La La Anthony kicked off the Met Gala in style, rocking a white gown with a gold accent attached to a diamond bracelet.
Chloe Fineman looked spring ready in a pink, black and purple sparkling gown, adding a cat shaped handbag in honor of Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved kitty 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, adding towering heels and her hair pulled back into a ponytail
Cheeky! Kendall’s perky backside was on display in the racy number
Ready for her close up! Kendall’s sequin number had a silver collar, which perfectly matching her floral shaped earrings
Red hot! Kylie Jenner wore a crimson and blue gown that highlighted her toned legs
Turning heads! Jennifer Lopez donned a Ralph Lauren dress, opting to showcase her flat midriff
A look: Jennifer wore a statement hat and a nude colored clutch
Dramatic train: Jennifer’s train went several feet behind her
Dazzling: Cardi B paid homage to Karl Lagerfeld with her silvery locks as she rocked a stunning structured gown
Quite an entrance! Janelle Monae donned a leotard with a sheer hoop gown over it, adding 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 stunned in a black sheer gown featuring a dramatic train
Husband and wife: Rita arrived with her husband director Taika Waititi for the Met Gala
Transformation! Jessica Chastain dyed her red hair to platinum blonde, revealing her new hair color at Monday’s Met Gala
Gorgeous: Jessica donned a Gucci gown that featured a sweetheart neckline and matching gloves
A look! Jessica is known for her fiery red locks
Surprise! Karlie Kloss revealed she is expecting her second child during Monday’s Met Gala, unveiling her baby bump
Duo: Karlie and her husband Joshua Kushner are already parents to son Levi, whom they welcomed in 2021
Bold! Florence Pugh shaved her hair for the Met Gala – and dyed it black
Iconic: Anne Hathaway donned a Versace dress that featured safety pins throughout; during her interview on Vogue.com ‘s livestream she said the look was a marriage between Chanel and Versace
Breathtaking: Gisele arrived in a striking vintage Chanel look she wore in an editorial with him for the brand
Smoldering: Dua Lipa wore an off-white textured gown that featured a bodice and long floor-length skirt
Bridal white: Penelope wore a silver accented gown with a veil detail, showcasing her ample cleavage
On its website, Vogue offered some styling advice to those lucky few who will be invited to attend the Met Gala this year, sharing a list of ‘approaches’ that they can take when it comes to paying homage to Karl.
‘The first, most authentic approach would be to wear an archival look from one of the labels Lagerfeld led,’ it suggested.
‘The second would be to sport modern-day Chanel or Fendi, two houses on which Lagerfeld left an indelible impression.’
The final recommendation was for guests to find their own version of Karl’s beloved cat, Choupette, and ‘dress a la Lagerfeld’.
‘Lagerfeld, we guess, would have hated a half-hearted homage, and with such an immense oeuvre, guests shouldn’t have any trouble unearthing a one-of-a-kind piece,’ it continued.
Karl, who was born in Hamburg, Germany, moved to Paris in 1953.
He won a contest held by the International Wool Secretariat in the coat category for his designer, alongside Yves Saint Laurent, who won in the dress category.
Soon after, he was hired as the assistant and later apprentice for Pierre Balmain; he worked with Pierre for three years.
In 1958, Karl was hired as Jean Patou’s artistic director and worked on ten haute couture collections with the brand, according to Business of Fashion.
In 1964, Karl began freelancing for Chloe; Three years later, he began working with Fendi.
Stunning: Nicole Kidman wore the same dress from her 2004 Chanel No. 5 commercial
Couple: Nicole arrived with her husband Keith Urban
Angelic: Irina Shayk donned a silky white gown with floral accents, adding 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 frock with beaded detailing along the sleeves and dress
Elegant: Eaddy Kiernan Bunzel donned a black and white gown with a statement accent in the center
Co-chair: Anna Wintour arrived in a patterned gown with a white underskirt; seen with actor Bill Nighy
Glowing: 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 started working with Chanel, bringing the fashion house back to life with the now iconic interlocked CC logo, changing the sizes of the bags and jewelry and updating the silhouette of clothing for the brand.
Karl began his own brand Karl Lagerfeld in 1984.
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 exhibit.
The gala was attended by members of high society and the fashion industry.
From 1948 to 1972 the gala took place at Central Park, the Waldorf Astoria and Rainbow Room.
In 1972, Diana Vreeland became the Costume Institute consultant; the attendees became more celebrity oriented.
Elizabeth Taylor, Cher, Madonna and more were on the guest list for previous Galas.
Anna, the Editor in Chief of Vogue, took over the chairperson position for the Gala in 1995 and has continued since.
Every year Anna co-chairs the event with high profile attendees; last year her co-chairs were Blake Lively, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Regina King.
Icon: Karl died February 19, 2019 at the age of 85 following complications of pancreatic cancer; seen October 1, 2013
2023 co-chair Penelope, 48, has been a mainstay in Hollywood since 1992; co-chair Dua Lipa, 27, began her singing career in 2015 and has dominated the music scene 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 number of pointed comments aimed at celebrities and well-known figures over the years.
Karl blamed Kim Kardashian for her 2016 robbery at gunpoint in Paris, claiming she brought the terrifying ordeal upon herself by flaunting her wealth.
He told the Telegraph: ‘I don’t understand why she was in a hotel with no security like this. If you are that famous and you put all your jewelry on the net, you [should] go to hotels where nobody can come near to the room. You cannot display 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 is a little too 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 it appeared he was shading Lana del Rey, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Karl said: ‘I’d like to say to Adele that I am your biggest admirer. Sometimes when you take a sentence out of the article, it changes the meaning of the thought. What I said was in relation to Lana del Rey and the sentence has since been taken out of context from how it was originally published. I actually prefer Adele. She is my favorite singer and I am a great admirer of her.’
‘I lost over 30 kilos over 10 years ago and have kept it off. I know how it feels when the press is mean to you in regard to your appearance. Adele is a beautiful girl. She is the best. And I can’t wait for her next CD.’
He also said he believed Lana to be full of ‘implants;’ he described singer M.I.A. as someone who displays ‘not the best behavior.’
News: The Met Gala dress code and co-chairs were announced in January. The 2023 fashion extravaganza dress code will be Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, paying tribute to the late fashion designer
His words: Over the years, Karl has sparked controversy over a number of pointed comments aimed at celebrities and well-known figures over the years; seen January 21, 2014
Eye catching: The stairs featured a white, red and blue
He said the comment about M.I.A. after she gave cameras the middle finger when appearing at the Super Bowl halftime show with Madonna in 2012, per Page Six.
‘Nowadays people give the middle finger quite quickly – it’s not the best behavior, Everybody does that, what’s new about that? It’s just become a bad habit.’
‘Women in magazines are 50% bimbo and 50% pregnant women.’
Karl said on Heidi Klum: ‘I don’t know Heidi Klum. She was never known in France. Claudia Schiffer also doesn’t know who she is.’
He also spoke of Heidi’s ex-husband Seal: ‘I am no dermatologist but I wouldn’t want his skin. Mine looks better than his. His is covered in craters.’
He commented on what he called ‘short, unattractive people’: Life is not a beauty contest, some [ugly people] are great. What I hate is nasty, ugly people… the worst is ugly, short men. Women can be short, but for men it is impossible. It is something that they will not forgive in life… they are mean and they want to kill you.’
Karl also slammed the #MeToo movement, revealing he was ‘fed up’ with models and actresses speaking up about the sexual harassment they face over the years.
He also spoke out about his dislike for Pippa Middleton, saying: ‘Kate had a nice silhouette and she is the right girl for that boy. I like that kind of woman, I like romantic beauties. On the other hand, her sister struggles. I don’t like the sister’s face. She should only show her back.’
In his book The World According To Karl, he criticized people who wore sweat pants: ‘Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants.’