A much-anticipated charity event, the Met Gala, is back for the 2023 edition and millions of viewers are looking forward to the glitz and glamour.
Billed as fashion’s biggest night, the show takes place every first Monday in May and features some of Hollywood’s biggest names.
The show’s organizers, Vogue, previously revealed that the dress code for the year was “in honor of Karl”. This was to pay tribute to legendary and controversial fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.
On Monday night, a Costume Institute exhibit titled “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” will also open at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, honoring the fashion icon.
Below are the highlights you can expect from the event:
Karl Lagerfeld
As one of the biggest names in fashion, Lagerfeld has a career spanning several decades. In addition to his eponymous luxury brand, Karl also worked with major fashion houses such as Fendi, Patou, Balmain, Chloé and Chanel. More than 150 pieces made by Lagerfeld and his sketches will be on display at the event.
However, the talented designer has a history of controversial comments that have caused backlash over the years. In a 2009 interview with German magazine Focus, she was accused of fat-shaming after she said, “No one wants to see a curvy woman.” Her most controversial comments came at the height of the #MeToo movement, when she lambasted victims who chose to speak out against sexual predators in the entertainment industry.
“If you don’t want to drop your pants, don’t become a model! Join a nun, you will always have a place in the convent. They are hiring even more,” he said in an interview with Numero magazine in 2018.
Kim Kardashian
After last year’s Met in a Marilyn Monroe dress, fans and critics alike are looking forward to the reality TV star’s surprise this year. The mother-of-four confirmed her departure in April with a post shared via her Instagram page, where she posed with Lagerfield’s pet cat, who was still alive.
“I had a date with @choupetteofficiel in Paris. Afterwards we spent some time in @karllagerfeld’s office to get a little inspiration for the Met,” she wrote in the caption.
Hosts
Vogue announced in January that this year’s event will be hosted by actresses Penélope Cruz and Michaela Coel; tennis player Roger Federer and singer Dua Lipa,
Guest list
The Met Gala guest list is a closely guarded secret and viewers can only confirm which stars will be in attendance on D-Day. However, some stars usually let the cat out of the bag before the event. Apart from Kim Kardashian, another star confirmed to attend is pop singer Rita Ora. Supermodel Gisele Bundchen will also be on the show and will be going solo after her divorce from husband Tom Brady.
Unfortunately, the queen of the Met red carpet, Blake Lively, revealed that she would not be attending. The actress, who stunned in a dramatic dress at last year’s event, welcomed her fourth child in February.
Nigerian Stars
Although no artists have confirmed their attendance, Afrobeats stars Burna Boy and Tems are said to be on the guest list. In videos doing the rounds on the internet on Monday, Burna was seen arriving in New York for the event.
Grammy Award-winner Tems, who made a statement at the 2023 Oscars with her eye-catching gown, is also expected to attend.
