Best Dressed at the Met Gala 2023

It’s that time of the year again... the first Monday in May marks the Met Gala, the iconic annual moment in fashion that takes place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York (one I had the pleasure of visiting just a few days ago.)

While surely, the exclusive list for this charity event curated by Vogue’s Editor in Chief, Anna Wintour encompassed from your favorite names in Hollywood, artists and actors alike, is one that has people talking for days… it isn’t the iconic location, date or even people, that draws the attention of most - it’s the fashion.

The event, considered a fundraiser for the museum, marks the opening of its annual fashion exhibit. This year’s theme, “Karl Lagerfield, a line of beauty”, (dressing theme: “in honour of Karl.”) payed tribute to the iconic fashion legend, one who worked with Chloe, Fendi, Balmain and Valentino just to name a few. Most popularly known for being the creative director of Chanel for over 30 years, Karl Lagerfield also founded his own namesake brand, and left a mark in the fashion world, pioneering every major fashion trend from the early 70s to his death, in 2019. Recently, however, gaining popularity for his personal and controversial statements, it was a controversial and polarising theme amongst many.

After last year’s theme, “Guilded Glamour”, unfortunately, let down both the fashion world and the general public alike, this year, many hoped for a strong revival, with this iconic theme. Hoping to see vintage archives brought out, six-thirty pm on a Monday evening, suddenly turned into a mega-important one.

And, it most definitely did. The carpet was adorned with white, black and pink looks, flowers, sequins, tweed, broaches, and even tributes to Largerfield’s infamous cat, Choupette, everything that he did right during his time in fashion

Amongst the first on the carpet, Dua Lipa decked in Chanel Fall 1992 couture, pulled out a look from the archives and delivered a simple, elegant and clean look. While the Met Gala is known to be grand, and there was more than could be done with the look, it was an example of elegance done right. (styled by Lorenzo Posocco)

Dua Lipa in Chanel (image via @gettyimages)

An undoubtedly stunning look was Anok Yai wearing Prabal Gurung. If vintage and modern collided, it was this look, which was everything and more. The birdcage moment was everything, and Prabal Gurung delivered with this 1993 Claudia Schiffer in Chanel, inspired look, per usual. (styled by Carlos Nazario)

Our princess of Genovia, Anne Hathaway dressed in Versace was the perfect tribute to Karl’s time at Chanel with elements of Versace shining through. The tweed dress, with rosettes and broach pins to connect pieces, a 90’s inspired choker, and a vintage hair piece definitely took 90s seriously. @gowneyedgirl on Instagram even said the look was very “Andy cutting up her Chanel dress to piss Miranda Priestley off” (ifykyk) and I couldn’t agree more.

Much like Anok Yai’s look, “inspired with a modern twist”, Amanda Seyfried was decked in a perfect Oscar De La Renta mini dress that we all want for the most extravagant night out. (styled by Elizabeth Stewart)

Cardi B pulled out not one, but two incredible looks this evening, with a stunning Miss Sohee pink gown completed with pearls, satin, feathers and a black tuxedo Chen Peng studio ballgown, with neck collar details to die for, and a poofy black rosette skirt. (styled by Colin Carter)

Doja Cat always makes heads turn with her unique looks, and her Met Gala was no different. Unlike most, inspired by Karl’s fashion style, Doja Cat arrived dressed in Oscar De La Renta dressed as Karl’s cat Choupette, which was a site to see. (styled by Brett Lannelson)

A fan favourite of the evening, Ashley Graham wearing Harris Reed was decked in a black and pink gown with an incredible silhouette. (styled by Emily Evans)

Kim Kardashian known for her Met Gala looks always having people talking, whether for the right reasons or not (no publicity is bad publicity right?), came decked in a Schiaparelli look that paid homage to both Chanel and her iconic 2007 Playboy shoot. While I must admit, I expected something slightly more controversial or grand from Kim, it was indeed a beautiful look. (styled by Dani Levi, photograph by Greg Swales)

Rihanna, infamously known as the queen of the Met Gala, delivering looks year after year came dressed in custom Maison Valentino, a white rosette moment with a 5-feet-train to remember. (styled by Jahleel Weaver)

The “Chanel bride” vibes were seen on the night of the Gala, with Penélope Cruze in a Chanel gown, with a veil like hood and silver embroidery capturing the understated classic look.

Madelyn Cline while in a simple look by Stella Mccartney, took us back to the runaways of the end of the 20th century, with a stunning wearable black gown with silver dangling details. (styled by Mimi Cuttel)

The highlight of the evening for me was not the stunning looks listed above, but the men’s looks. In fashion and at the Met Gala, year after year, we see the same, repetitive and boring looks, but this year that changed.

Bad Bunny in Jacquemes in a custom-made white suit, with a trail of white rosettes... Conan Gray in Balmain with pearl details, a b&w look and fingerless gloves.... or NBA star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Thom Browne all left their mark on the carpet. Sean 'Diddy' Combs wearing Sean John, and Manu Rios in Karl Lagerfield were also seen.

Some other favourite looks included, Naomi Campbell decked in Chanel couture Spring 2010 - a beautiful pink satin and sequin look (that I need in my closet, STAT), Nicole Kidman in her Chanel No5 campaign dress and Jenna Ortega in Thom Browne (styled by Mrenrique Melendez). Vanessa Lurby in 1983 Chloe, and Irina Shayk in archive Yohji Yamamoto and Ana Khouri, Lea Michele in Michael Kors, Halle Bailey in Gucci, Sydney Sweeney in Miu Miu, Kate Moss in Fendi, and Anitta in Marc Jacobs were also moments to remember.

A met to remember, for years to come.

*All images are from getty images unless stated otherwise

*All information is solely the opinions of the author