This year, the Met Gala celebrated the opening of the Costume Institute’s new exhibition, Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. Paying homage to the esteemed designer and Chanel Creative Director, guests were asked to dress in his honour. While many opted for his Chanel archival looks, Lagerfeld’s career and influence was expansive, providing ample opportunities for creativity. Between Doja Cat’s feline prosthetics honouring Lagerfeld’s cat, A$AP Rocky’s look inspired by the designer himself, Rihanna’s 500 petals, and Florence Pugh’s debut buzzcut, the fashion event of the season did not disappoint. Head below to see our favourite looks from the 2023 Met Gala.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were fashionably late to the red carpet — emphasis on the fashionable. A$AP Rocky paid homage to Karl Lagerfeld in a Gucci ensemble reminiscent of one the designer wore himself. A black blazer, white button-down, black leather tie, and a kilt referenced Lagerfeld’s 2004 Chanel show in Tokyo — and stacked belts and diamond jeans added a bit of rock and roll. Rihanna dressed like a bride in a custom Valentino Haute Couture silk dress and cape adorned with 500 petals. A long, dramatic train trailed behind her as she walked up the steps, before she paused to reveal the dress’ drop waist silhouette — and her baby bump.

Cardi B was reminiscent of Karl himself in a suit-inspired dress by Chenpeng Studio. A white shirt collar and tie appeared tucked into a fitted bodice and structured long skirt. The full skirt served as a reference to Chanel’s Boy Bag — with quilted details and large rosettes. Paired with opera gloves, pearl earrings, a black headband, and silver hair, she put her own twist on Karl’s signature style.

Dua Lipa, one of the five co-chairs of this year’s Met Gala, kept things classic with a Chanel haute couture archive piece and 200-carat Tiffany & Co. diamond necklace. If the textured white gown with black and silver trim detailing looks familiar to you, that might be because of its original wearer. Claudia Schiffer first wore the look while closing the 1995/96 runway show.

Doja Cat honoured Karl’s cat, Choupette, with a feline hood and cat prosthetics. Designed by Oscar de la Renta, Doja’s sparkly silver gown appeared classic at first glance — with a backless silhouette and feathery train. Though the hood featured cat ears, the real transformation was in Doja’s prosthetics and makeup. A kitten nose, cat eye makeup, and curved claw-like nails gave a Cats-esque hyper realism to the look, as she channeled Choupette perfectly.

Florence Pugh wore custom Valentino Haute Couture and debuted a new hair style on the first Monday in May. Her buzzcut was highlighted with a massive feathered headpiece, and worn with a classic white gown. The strapless dress mirrored the headpiece with a black bow and created a dynamic silhouette. Topped off with shimmering jewellery, Pugh looked absolutely regal.

Gigi Hadid wore an edgy yet soft all-black custom Givenchy ensemble. Sheer black fabric with tiny appliqués wrapped around a black bustier to create a dynamic layered silhouette. With a floor-length skirt and an even longer train, the dress was daring and intricate. Pearl and diamond jewelry added some white hues to the black, a colour combination beloved by Lagerfeld.

Whitney Peak, a Chanel ambassador, wore an archive Chanel couture piece from the 2021/22 collection. The white organza gown references old Hollywood in a contemporary manner, something Karl did so well. With beading and appliqué details, the dress was as delicate as it was showstopping. Celebrity makeup artist Tyron Machhausen looked to the dress itself for inspiration, creating a pearlescent, dewy look. Topped with statement pearl earrings, Whitney looked elegant and dreamy.

Maya Hawke, styled by Harry Lambert, wore a Prada look inspired by Karl Lagerfeld’s infamous couture wedding gowns. With an emphasis on fine craftsmanship, Lambert worked with the design house to create a dramatic bridal-inspired ensemble. An oversized cape with a matching mini dress peaking out, the look is as classic as it modern. Delicate embroidery and hundreds of tiny flowers add beautiful detailing, and low leather heels add a bit of edge. To finish it off, Maya accessorised with a bag inspired by Uma Thurman’s Oscars 1995 Prada look — adding a sweet family heirloom, something old, to her wedding gown.

Bad Bunny dressed in a Jacquemus white monochrome suit and exaggerated rosette cape. Made in tweed — a nod to Chanel’s famed fabric — the classic tailoring featured a back cutout, adding some intrigue. Paired with platform leather derby shoes, slicked back hair, and pearl earrings, Bad Bunny put a contemporary spin on classic elegance.

Pedro Pascal played with suiting in his red-and-black Valentino ensemble. Black shorts covered by a red oversized wool overcoat, lace-up combat boots, a gold metal-accented tie, and chunky rings created a dynamic silhouette of layers and mixed-fabrics. Slicked-back hair further refined the look as Pascal effortlessly strut on the carpet.

Emma Chamberlain hosted the Met Gala red carpet for the third time this year, and looked beautiful in blue while doing so. Dressed in Miu Miu, she referenced Lagerfeld’s take on preppy glamour with a cropped blazer and matching skirt and headband. The cropped blazer revealed an unfinished hem and sparkly undershirt, which brought out her shining Cartier jewellery. At the top of the steps, Emma turned to presenter-mode, swapping this look for a custom black version.

Jennie Kim, a Chanel ambassador, wore a satin mini-dress recreated from the house’s 1990 collection. A scalloped seam leading into a pleated skirt mirrors the shape of the bodice, exemplifying a flower appliqué perched on top of a black ribbon. With black opera gloves and a choker that match, sheer tights, a braided headband, flower hair accessory, and singular earring, Jennie is a classic Lagerfeld muse.

The Kardashian-Jenner trio of Kim, Kendall, and Kylie referenced Karl Lagerfeld in their own ways. Draped in pearls, Kim wore a cream Schiaparelli ensemble consisting of a nude corset, a voluminous cape, and layers and layers of real pearls. This look came after Kim’s Instagram post teasing the Met Gala with a selfie featuring Choupette. Kendall also played with negative space with her Marc Jacobs look: a sequinned bodysuit with an equally shimmering collar. The bare-legs look still had drama down to the floor with oversized sleeves that trailed as the model walked. She paired it with accessories by Lorraine Schwartz Jewelry and platform combat boots. Elsewhere on the carpet, Kylie wore a red cutout gown by Jean Paul Gaultier. The silhouette featured a thigh-high slit and blue-lined versatile train.

Olivia Rodrigo channeled Chanel muse Audrey Hepburn with her black-and-white gown and new micro-bangs. Appliqués adorned the bodice of her Thom Browne dress, from which strings flowed to the floor in a highly detailed yet effortless look. The epitome of old Hollywood, Olivia paired the ensemble with simple makeup, a slicked bun, and her new bangs.

Other incredible looks included Anne Hathaway in a tweed Versace safety pin dress, Rita Ora in a sheer Prabal Gurung gown, and Kristen Stewart in an archival Chanel suit.
Naomi Campbell, Margot Robbie, and Lizzo all wore vintage Chanel-inspired pieces, and Nicole Kidman dressed in the pink silk tulle dress she wore in the Baz Luhrmann-directed ad for Chanel No 5. British-Jamaican designer Bianca Saunders dressed Usher in a classic tailored suit, unveiled as the designer-musician duo arrived in a matte black car.