The 2023 Met Gala has rolled out the red carpet on the iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, New York, for one of the most anticipated star-studded spectacle on the celebrity calendar.
This year’s theme – Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty – is inspired by the legendary Chanel fashion designer, who died in 2019 aged 85.
So far, it’s meant a somewhat more reserved and tasteful Met Gala compared to recent years, where broad themes like “Camp” and “Heavenly Bodies” gave attendees full creative license to go large.
Check out the outfits, as the celebs arrive …
First, to one of the biggest surprises of the event: Yes, this is A-list actress Jessica Chastain. With her sunnies and newly-blonde ‘do, we didn’t recognise the 46-year-old Oscar winner at all. The look seems to be an homage to Lagerfeld’s own personal style – camp!
See Chastain and the man this night is in honour of, Karl Lagerfeld, side by side:
Also taking the theme to the extreme, Jared Leto – who arrived as Lagerfeld’s beloved cat, Choupette:
Another wild outfit – Lil Nas X, who’s arrived wearing nothing but a G-string, a mask and a whole lot of glittery body paint:
Kim Kardashian has brought daughter North West as her date, and it’s hard to imagine Karl would approve of North wearing baggy jeans to the Met Gala:
Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour walked the carpet arm-in-arm with her partner, actor Bill Nighy. The pair were first rumoured to be dating back in 2015 but have largely kept their relationship under wraps – making this a rare public showing for the couple:
Aussie A-listers Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. Nicole revealed on the carpet she’s wearing a Lagerfeld dress she originally wore for a 2004 Chanel ad:
Fellow Aussie power couple, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin:
And yet another Aussie power couple – it’s Hugh Jackman and wife Deborra-lee Furness:
Another A-list Aussie, Margot Robbie:
Is Emily in Paris star walking the carpet with a gown emblazoned with the name ‘KARL’ a bit literally? Yes. Is it still an impressive sight? Also yes.
Well this is awkward. Actor / director Olivia Wilde and filmmaker Margaret Zhang have turned up in the same outfit – albeit in different colours:
Dua Lipa:
Anne Hathaway:
Ridiculously attractive couple, Rita Ora and Taika Waititi:
Here’s another look at both those outfits:
Recent Aussie visitor, Sydney Sweeney:
Marvellous Mrs Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan went near-topless in this revealing sheer gown:
Salma Hayek, always a sight to behold:
Supermodel Emily Ratajkowski:
Model and singer Karen Elson:
Mother has arrived! It’s Naomi Campbell:
Fellow supermodel Gisele Bündchen:
Another legendary supermodel, Kate Moss, with daughter Lila:
Model Ashley Graham:
I May Destroy You star Michaela Coel:
Actress Gabrielle Union:
Euphoria star Maude Apatow:
The Crown star Vanessa Kirby:
The Little Mermaid herself, Halle Bailey:
Mamma Mia, it’s Amanda Seyfried!
Ariana DeBose, you are EVERYTHING:
Actress Kelsey Asbille Chow:
Penelope Cruz is angelic in all-white:
Singer Phoebe Bridgers:
Rapper Ice Spice:
Talking Heads music legend David Byrne brought his own bicycle – handy!
SNL star Chloe Fineman looks stunning:
TV personality La La Anthony:
Tennis champ Roger Federer and wife Mirka:
As for formalities inside the venue, Penélope Cruz, Michaela Coel, Roger Federer, Dua Lipa and Vogue’s Anna Wintour, are serving as hosts and the night’s official co-chairs.
While it’s all about the glitz and glamour today, the theme for this year’s Met was hit with backlash when it was announced last year.
UK actress Jameela Jamil led criticism for the decision to honour the divisive German designer, who had made a slew of controversial comments over the years, including a 2009 interview in which he told German magazine Focus that “no one wants to see curvy women.”
He also copped heat after making a derogatory statement about the #MeToo Movement.
“If you don’t want your pants pulled about, don’t become a model! Join a nunnery, there’ll always be a place for you in the convent,” Lagerfeld reportedly told Numero in 2018.
Sharing a black-and-white portrait of Lagerfeld in October on her Instagram page, Jamil claimed that Lagerfeld “used his platform in such a distinctly hateful way, mostly towards women.”
“Why is THIS who we celebrate when there are so many AMAZING designers out there who aren’t bigoted white men?” she asked.