Sure, at its heart the annual Met Gala is a fundraiser. But as we the people see it, it's just as much for us as it is a night for the designer-clad bigwigs ascending the stairs of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We treat the spectacle like a sport: who made the cut? What players are on form? And what designer do they have in their corner?
Last year it felt like we hit peak Met Gala, what with the intense speculation, TikTok forecasts and explainers. It was a frenzy that almost surpassed the event itself. And now, it looks like we're about to repeat the experience. Now that the first Monday of May is right around the corner, we need to discuss the 2023 theme.
What is the 2023 Met Gala theme?
Initially, rumours pointed to the possibility of the 2023 Met Gala being space-themed. However, given the source was DeuxMoi, the rumours have remained just that: unconfirmed bits of gossip. Instead, the Costume Institute has announced that the 2023 Met Gala will pay homage to the late designer Karl Lagerfeld with the theme being Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.
Before the pandemic, word on the street was that the Costume Institute was gearing up for a Karl Lagerfeld exhibition, with the retrospective scheduled for 2022. Of course, that didn't happen. Quite possibly because Andrew Bolton, the Wendy Yu Curator in Charge, hoped to save the mammoth task for a time not plagued by sudden closures and cancellations.
According to WWD, Anna Wintour and Andrew Bolton met with officials from the Met Museum in Paris on September 30 to discuss the upcoming gala. After which, it was decided to go ahead with the Karl Lagerfeld homage.
As we know, the exhibition at the Costume Institute dictates the direction of the Met Gala theme. As was the case in 2021, with the focus on In America - A Lexicon of Fashion.
What is the 2023 Met Gala dress code?
Recent years have given birth to stricter dress codes for Met Gala attendees, which we saw in 2022 with the instruction of white tie and Gilded Glamour. This time around, the dress code leaves a little more room to experiment with the simple directive to dress "in honour of Karl".
Considering the designer had such a long and prolific career, attendees have plenty of inspiration to draw from, be it his time at Balmain, Patou, Chloé, Fendi, Chanel, or even his own eponymous label.
If we were to take a stab at what looks will climb the stairs of the Met, there's a great influx of archival fashion on the runway of late, which stems from the need to embrace vintage and sustainable fashion. As such this provides a clear avenue for guests. We could also see attendees partner with each of the houses Lagerfeld helmed and wear their modern offerings. Otherwise, they could lean into the gimmick of it all and directly reference Lagerfeld's signature uniform – or his beloved tortie Birman cat Choupette.
Either way, the assignment is as clear as it's ever been. We will simply no longer accept those who actively choose to flout it.
Who are the 2023 Met Gala co-chairs?
The 2023 Met Gala has named of its co-chairs, this time around the role has been filled by Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel, Penelope Cruz and Roger Federer. Simply gorgeous.
Who else is attending this year's Met Gala?
Guest lists for each Met Gala are kept tightly under wraps until the night before the event, but there's been a very special guest's name on everyone's lips this year, and there's been much speculation about whether they might be in attendance. Lagerfeld's beloved feline companion Choupette has been formally invited to attend, and all signs point to the blue-cream tortie Birman making an appearance. Choupette was a central part of the iconic designer's legacy, Lagerfeld even rumoured to have named the sweet kitten as an heir to his estate. While we're unsure whether Choupette will be strutting up the red carpeted steps of the Met, we're hoping she'll at least be enjoying some fancy kibble alongside the evening's other dinner guests.
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