Update Consent

Celebrities Who Nailed the Met Gala 2023 Theme

14 Celebrities Who Aced the 2023 Met Gala Theme

May 3 2023

The Met Gala, aka the Oscars of fashion, was in full effect on Monday, 1 May. A-list attendees went all out for the high-profile event, turning the 2023 Met Gala red carpet into one of the world's most talked-about runways. The 2023 Met Gala theme is based on the Met's Costume Institute spring exhibit, titled, "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," a retrospective dedicated to the late designer and fashion visionary. The exhibit showcases more than 200 sketches and garments from Lagerfeld's six-decade-plus career at notable fashion houses including Chanel, Chloé, Fendi, Balmain, and his eponymous label. While many of Lagerfeld's personal views were controversial, it's impossible to deny his immense impact and legacy on the fashion industry.

Gala guests were encouraged to dress "in honour of Karl," and they did not disappoint. From elaborate, avant-garde interpretations of his signature aesthetic to direct usage of his favourite tweed fabrics, pearls, and floral motifs, plus a restrained black, white, and blush palette, his influence was undeniably everywhere. In fact, Lagerfeld's point of view is so recognisable, this was one of the rare Met Galas where the majority of the star-studded red carpet actually adhered to the dress code.

Supermodels, including Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bündchen, wore archival Chanel pieces. From Lagerfeld muses like Cara Delevingne and Kristen Stewart, there were clever references to his personal uniform of a crisp-collared shirt, tailored suit, and leather fingerless gloves. Others, like Janelle Monáe, channelled his love of performance and high-fashion drama with exaggerated silhouettes and proportions. There were also versions of the legendary couture Chanel bride like from Rihanna and playful nods to Lagerfeld's beloved cat, Choupette, from Jared Leto, Doja Cat, and Lil Nas X.

Keep reading for our top picks of celebrities who nailed the 2023 Met Gala theme honouring Lagerfeld.

Image Source: Getty / Mike Coppola

Rihanna in Valentino at the 2023 Met Gala

Would it be a Met Gala without a fashionably late, show-stopping entrance from Rihanna? On the arm of her partner, A$AP Rocky, the beauty mogul channelled the ultimate Chanel bride in an exquisite Valentino white gown. On top, she layered a voluminous floral cocoon cape detailed with 30 camellia flowers — a noted Chanel emblem — crafted from 500 petals. The look also featured a five-meter train as a nod to the late Vogue editor, André Leon Talley.

Image Source: Getty / Jeff Kravitz

Cardi B in Chenpeng Studio at the 2023 Met Gala

The entertainer and fashion enthusiast paid tribute to Lagerfeld's ever-present tux with an ornate black ball gown, created by up-and-coming Chinese designer Chenpeng Studio, that took over 300 atelier hours to complete. Cardi B accessorised accordingly with a '60s-inspired icy grey wig (a nod to Lagerfeld's hair), a chic tie, oversized pearl earrings, and velvety black gloves. Like Rihanna, she also incorporated the camellia flower theme on her voluminous skirt.

The rapper changed 3 times at the event, and each look paid homage to Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel.

Image Source: Getty / Taylor Hill

Anne Hathaway in Versace at the 2023 Met Gala

Anne Hathaway's striking Versace gown is the perfect mashup of Donatella Versace and Karl Lagerfeld's aesthetic. Between the tweed fabric, pearl detailing, and again, camellia flower bust detail, the nod to Chanel's house codes was apparent. But the safety pins lining her dress's cutouts and high-slits were all Versace.

Image Source: Getty / Jeff Kravitz

Bad Bunny in Jacquemus at the 2023 Met Gala

No stranger to pushing the sartorial envelope, Bad Bunny's backless, custom Jacquemus suit was right on trend. A play on the Chanel bride, the superstar offered the groom's look in a dramatic fashion that would've made Lagerfeld proud. His floor-sweeping, 26-foot-long cape also featured the house's signature camellia flower emblem, and definitely brought the wow-factor.

Image Source: Getty / Mike Coppola

Watch This!

Pop Quiz

Watch the Cast of Fear Street Play a Creepy Game of Horror Movie "Would You Rather"

Ashley Graham in Harris Reed at the 2023 Met Gala

In a sea of black and white, Ashley Graham's pink dress was a welcome pop of colour on the red carpet as Lagerfeld often designed pieces in the hue. Harris Reed created the look for Graham as a modern reinterpretation of one of Lagerfeld's most iconic designs from the 1987 Chanel couture collection.

Image Source: Getty / Dimitrios Kambouris

Doja Cat in Oscar de la Renta at the 2023 Met Gala

It's no surprise that Doja Cat lived up to her moniker in a Choupette-inspired glittery Oscar de la Renta hooded gown. She went all out for her Met Gala debut, adding embellished with cat ears and facial feline prosthetics to truly embody Lagerfeld's cherished pet.

Image Source: Getty / Jeff Kravitz

Teyana Taylor in Thom Browne at the 2023 Met Gala

Teyana Taylor is another celebrity whose look perfectly blended the brand ethos of two design houses. Known for impeccable tailoring, Thom Browne delivered a look that felt true to his aesthetic and incorporated a modern silhouette (see the hip cutouts) while honouring Chanel with the use of tweed fabric. Plus, Taylor's gloves, tie, sunglasses, and even low ponytail all felt like a nod to Karl Lagerfeld's personal style.

Image Source: Getty / Dimitrios Kambouris

Dua Lipa in Chanel at the 2023 Met Gala

As one of the gala's co-hosts, it's only right that Dua Lipa stunned in an archival tweed Chanel dress from Fall 1992 paired with an opulent 100-carat Tiffany & Co. necklace that has never been worn previously. The look was simple, striking, and perfect for the night's festivities.

Image Source: Getty / Dimitrios Kambouris

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in Sean John at the 2023 Met Gala

To celebrate Lagerfeld's legacy, the music mogul relaunched his Sean John label with a self-designed couture all-black tux adorned with camellia flowers and black pearls. He also sported a voluminous cape as an ode to the late André Leon Talley.

Image Source: Getty / Mike Coppola

Kim Kardashian in Schiaparelli at the 2023 Met Gala

Referencing Chanel's iconic pearl motif, Kardashian wore a custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture ensemble that included over 50,000 freshwater pearls and 16,000 crystals layered over a curve-hugging, moulded corset.

Image Source: Getty / Taylor Hill

Jeremy Pope in Balmain at the 2023 Met Gala

Styled by Ugo Mozie, Jeremy Pope wowed in a Balmain-designed look that was not merely an ode to Lagerfeld's beloved colour palette of white and black, but featured the designer's face on a 33-foot-long train. It took five attendants to assist the actor to simply walk up the museum's iconic steps.

Image Source: Getty / Sean Zanni

Janelle Monae in Thom Browne at the 2023 Met Gala

Janelle Monae left no stone unturned in her sartorial tribute to Karl Lagerfeld. Wearing his beloved black-and-white colour scheme, she walked the red carpet in a Thom Browne double-breasted blazer layered over a dress with an exaggerated silhouette.

A known lover of drama and theatrics, Lagerfeld would've been delighted by her outfit change; underneath the top layer, she revealed a sparkly bikini embellished with strands of pearls, both staples on past Chanel runways. And to finish the look, she carried a cat handbag as a nod to the designer's cat, Choupette.

Image Source: Getty / Mike Coppola

Lily Collins in Vera Wang at the 2023 Met Gala

Lily Collins did the 2023 Met Gala theme justice in a striking Vera Wang gown. An imaginative take on Karl Lagerfeld's signature tux, the dress featured a structured corset bodice and a flowing train with the designer's name spelled out in sequins.

Image Source: Getty / Cindy Ord/MG23

Cara Delevingne in Karl Lagerfeld at the 2023 Met Gala

As one of Karl Lagerfeld's beloved muses, Cara Delevingne made sure her 2023 Met Gala look paid homage to the designer. Wearing his eponymous line, she recreated Lagerfeld's personal uniform, from the crisp-collared white shirt to the fingerless gloves, rings, and Aviator sunglasses. And taking the tribute up a notch, she sported a shag-style wig in an off-white colour, as a nod to previous shoots they worked on together.

Image Source: Getty / Cindy Ord/MG23

Want More?

POPSUGAR Would Like To Send You Push Notifications.