Before his death in 2019, the designer was the creative director of luxury brand, Chanel. Even while managing his own eponymous fashion line, Karl also worked with several fashion houses such as Chloé, Balmain, and Fendi.
Themed “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”, the event featured several pieces from his collection as well as designs from other brands which referenced his style.
As expected, there were many memorable outfits at the event. However, some stood out in particular because of the drama they brought to the red carpet.
In no particular order, here are the top ten most dramatic outfits from the 2023 Met Gala
Tems
The Nigeria’s Afrobeats star, continues solidify her presence not just in music, but the entire Hollywood showbiz. Earlier in the year, the ‘Try Me’ crooner got the Internet buzzing with her extravagant white dress and view-obstructing headpiece at the 2023 Oscars. For the Met, Tems returned with another headpiece with feathered ends.
Her black and white Robert Wun dress also featured a corset top and a skirt with a large train.
Lil Nas X
While it is still debatable whether his look was a hit or miss, Lil definitely stole the show in his outfit for the night.
The Grammy-winning musician arrived decked out in silver.
He was dressed simply in silver heeled boots and a metallic Dior thong. The silver look was further enhanced by his bejewelled face mask and Swarovski crystals glued to his body.
Doja Cat
Despite the simplicity of her sequinned Oscar de la Renta gown, Doja definitely turned heads with her feline cat make up.
Asides the hood which featured cat ears, her face was also restructured to look like an actual cat. The look is a nod to her stage name as well as Lagerfield’s love for cats.
The rapper stayed in character, refusing to speak. She instead purred and meowed in response to questions from interviewers.
Jared Leto
The actor stormed the red carpet dressed as Lagerfield’s surviving pet, Choupette. The costume captured the Birman’s white fur and blue eyes.
He later transformed into a black outfit drawn from the late designer’s archives. Leto will be starring as Lagerfeld in a Chanel biopic which is currently in the works.
Photo credit: Hollywood Reporter
Jenelle Monaé
The singer walked the red carpet with a three-in-one outfit, beginning with a black and white Thom Browne tuxedo suit.
The top layer of her outfit was stripped off to reveal a cone-shaped sheer dress, encrusted with stones at the tiers. Monaé ended her red carpet walk in a black sequinned bikini.
Rihanna
The billionaire boss of the Fenty fashion empire was also present at the event. Rihanna showed up on the red carpet in a white Valentino ballgown with a large train that swept the Met’s long steps.
Her ensemble also included a large floral headpiece that alluded to the signature Chanel flower, the Camellia.
Diddy
Like several men at the event, Diddy also walked the red carpet dressed in a black suit. However, the rap mogul switched his look up a notch with a sweeping cape embellished with Chanel’s Camellia flowers. The hems of the suit were were lined with Swarovski crystals and black pearls.
Jeremy Pope
The actor turned heads at the red carpet with his black and white Balmain piece. The outfit’s main attraction was the long large white train, on which a massive photo of Lagerfeld was printed.
Cardi B
The “Bodak Yellow” rapper had become a regular attendee at the Met Gala and she pulls all stops to present memorable looks for each edition.
For the 2023 ball, Cardi left her hotel in a light pink gown with a plunging neckline and large feathery headpiece.
She however switched looks for the Met’s red carpet, stunning in a black and white ball gown with a tie.
She also switched her hair to a grey-coloured wig to pay homage to Karl’s salt and pepper hair. Her other looks included a pink and black dress and a newspaper print gown featuring articles written about the late designer.
Jordan Roth
Roth, President of Jujamcyn Theaters on Broadway is described by Vogue as “one of the annual event’s most exuberant and fabulous dressers”.
Roth ditched the traditional suit and tie, and walked the red carpet in a black evening gown with a blouse spread into a large fan.
The look was a nod to one of Largerfield’s iconic pictures where he is holding up a fan to cover bottom half of his face.
