Met Gala 2023: Best dressed stars hit red carpet

Fashion’s biggest night is upon us once again as the most stylish stars climb the famous steps of New York City’s Metropolitan Museum for the 223 Met Gala on Monday, May 1.

Lala Anthony kicked off the Met Gala in style in a white dress with a gold accent on a diamond bracelet.

The dress code for extravagant fashion for 2023 is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, a tribute to the controversial fashion designer.

The Met Gala has Penelope Cruz, Michaela Coel, Roger Federer and Dua Lipa as co-chairs, along with Anna Wintour.

Vogue magazine announced the news in January via their social media and website, writing on Instagram: ‘This year’s #MetGala – which benefits @metcostumeinstitute from the @metmuseum – falls on May 1 and will feature one of the greatest talents of fashion: Karl Lagerfeld.’

The outlet added that the 2023 theme will be “in honor of Karl.”

Karl passed away on February 19, 2019 at the age of 85 after complications from pancreatic cancer.

The fashion designer was the creative designer for both Chanel, Fendi and his own label.

He also collaborated with Chloe, Patou and Balmain during his career in fashion.

Striking: the stairs were white, red and blue

On its website, Vogue gave some styling advice to the lucky few who will be invited to attend the Met Gala this year, sharing a list of “approaches” they can take when it comes to paying tribute to Karl.

“The first, most authentic approach would be to wear an archival look from one of the labels Lagerfeld ran,” it suggested.

“The second would be to wear modern 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 up a la Lagerfeld.”

“We suspect Lagerfeld would have hated a half-hearted homage, and with such an immense body of work, guests should have no trouble digging up a one-of-a-kind piece,” it continued.

Born in Hamburg, Germany, Karl moved to Paris in 1953.

He won a competition from the International Wool Secretariat in the coats category for his designer, along with Yves Saint Laurent, who won in the dresses category.

Shortly afterwards he was hired as an assistant and later apprentice to Pierre Balmain; he worked with Pierre for three years.

In 1958, Karl was hired as the artistic director of Jean Patou and worked on ten haute couture collections with the brand, according to Business of Fashion.

In 1964, Karl started freelancing for Chloe; Three years later he started working with Fendi.

In 1983, he began collaborating with Chanel, reviving the fashion house with the now-iconic CC logo, changing the sizes of the bags and jewelry, and updating the silhouette of the clothing for the brand.

Karl started 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 exhibition.

The gala was attended by members of high society and the fashion industry.

From 1948 to 1972, the gala took place in Central Park, the Waldorf Astoria and Rainbow Room.

In 1972 Diana Vreeland became the advisor to the Costume Institute; the attendees became more celebrity-oriented.

Elizabeth Taylor, Cher, Madonna and more have been on the guest list for previous Galas.

Anna, Vogue’s editor-in-chief, took over as president of the Gala in 1995 and has continued ever since.

Each year, Anna co-chairs the event with high-profile attendees; last year its co-chairs were Blake Lively, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Regina King.

2023 co-chair Penelope, 48, 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-Chairman 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-chairman Roger, 41, is a former professional tennis player with more than 20 Grand Slam singles titles and numerous Wimbledon and US Open titles.

Over the years, Karl has sparked controversy over a number of sharp 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 put herself through the terrifying ordeal by flaunting her wealth.

He told the Telegraph: ‘I don’t understand why she was in a hotel with no security like this. When you’re that famous and you put all your jewelry on the net, you [should] go to hotels where no one can go near the room. You can’t 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 right now is Adele. She’s a little overweight, 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 would like to say to Adele that I am your greatest admirer. Sometimes the meaning of the thought changes when you take a sentence from the article. What I said related to Lana del Rey and the sentence has since been taken out of context of how it was originally published. I actually prefer Adele. She’s my favorite singer and I’m a great admirer of hers.’

“I lost over 30 pounds over 10 years ago and kept it off. I know how it feels when the press is mean to you about 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 was full of “implants”; he described singer MIA as someone who is “not on the best of behavior.”

He said the comment about MIA after she gave cameras the middle finger when she appeared on the 2012 Super Bowl halftime show with Madonna, per Page six.

‘Nowadays people are pretty quick to give the middle finger – it’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% bimbo and 50% pregnant.”

Karl said of Heidi Klum, “I don’t know Heidi Klum. She was never known in France. Claudia Schiffer doesn’t know who she is either.’

He also spoke about Heidi’s ex-husband Seal: ‘I’m not a dermatologist, but I wouldn’t want his skin. Mine looks better than his. His is covered with craters.’

He commented on what he called “little, unattractive people”: Life is not a beauty pageant, some [ugly people] are good. What I hate are nasty, ugly people… the worst are ugly, short men. Women can be short, but for men it is impossible. It’s something they won’t forgive in life… they’re mean and they want to kill you.”

Karl also denounced the #MeToo movement, revealing that he was fed up with models and actresses speaking out about the sexual harassment they’ve faced over the years.

He also spoke out about his distaste for Pippa Middleton, saying, “Kate had a beautiful silhouette and she’s the right girl for that boy.” I like women like that, I like romantic beauties. On the other hand, her sister is struggling. 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 sweatpants: ‘Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life, so you bought sweatpants.’