2023 Met Gala: Best Dressed List -

The 2023 Met Gala took place this past Monday and showcased Hollywood’s brightest stars while honoring the late Karl Lagerfeld.

Ode to Karl Lagerfeld

Prior to his passing in February 2019, Karl Lagerfeld was the creative director of Chanel for over 20 years. Lagerfeld personally approved of every collection, campaign, and catwalk associated with the luxury brand and revitalized its reputation, particularly throughout the 90s. Some of his most notable design staples are heavy use of tweed, chunky pearl accessories, and mini skirts. However, Lagerfeld had an impact even outside of his runway design. Some of his personal style staples include black sunglasses, a high-placed white collar, and fingerless gloves.

Monday’s extravagant event attracted stars of all types, from actors to influencers and everyone in between. The Met Gala is famous for being the biggest night in fashion, so how did today’s celebs stack up? The theme of “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” can be interpreted so many ways with the German designer’s lengthy career. Here are the front runners of this year’s festivities.

Anok Yai

Since being discovered in 2018, Anok Yai has shot straight up in the model tanks to become an overnight industry darling. The 25-year-old has walked for Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Saint Laurent, just to name a few. Most recently, she’s been making best-dressed lists across the internet for her stunning Prabal Gurung look. The structural piece glistens with gold and flares out dramatically at the hip before cascading in silver tassels. The look is paired with a brown mesh eye mask and matching gloves. The palette used here harkens back to Karl Lagerfeld’s use of monochrome and pairs beautifully with Yai’s glowy complexion.

Halle Bailey

Halle Bailey has been showing her face more than ever in preparation for the release of The Little Mermaid on May 26th. Her all-white Gucci ensemble heavily resembles sea foam or the long ruffles that hang from jellyfish. However you interpret the outfit, it’s undeniably pretty. The semi-transparent lace paired with the high neckline gives the look a bit of edge while still keeping it classy for this Disney princess.

Yung Miami & Diddy

Yung Miami and Diddy — Image source: MATT BARON, SHUTTERSTOCK.

A slightly unexpected pair was P Diddy and one-half of the City Girls, Yung Miami. The controversial “couple” dodged relationship questions per usual while rocking matching black outfits that instantly went viral with claims of best dressed. Miami’s gown, designed by Luca Lin of Act N°1, stood out with its unique silhouette that’s impossible to miss. The fluffy tulle bust transitions into a sheer material that fans back out at the bottom with the same billowing black tulle. Complimenting the dress are pearl accents around the hips.

Sean Combs, of course, is no stranger to the fashion world. The business mogul arrived at the Met entirely dressed in Sean John. His jet-black suit was embroidered with black pearls and smartly styled with a long dramatic cape adorned with flowers. Diddy and Yung Miami looked good apart but absolutely stunning together, representing Lagerfeld’s more gothic side with heavy use of black fabrics and pearl.

Cardi B

The award for best outfit changes of the night, hands down, goes to the Invasion of Privacy rapper. First on the list for Cardi was a bubblegum pink gown from Miss Sohee. The bedazzled decoy dress initially threw fans off, who noted Lagerfeld famously hated the color pink. Regardless many gushed over the use of excessive jewelry, a Chanel runway classic.

Cardis’s stunning second look was revealed on the steps of the Met. The ‘Up’ rapper arrived in a black Chenpeng Studio gown with a white collar, black tie, and bold silver hair, of course honoring Lagerfeld’s signature look.

The third and final look still incorporated some pink, but this time with a full tweed dress from Richard Quinn styled with a black headband. The preppy aesthetic is a clear reference to the Chanel 1992 ready-to-wear collection, which popularized tweed skirt sets.

Anne Hathaway

Perhaps the most well-constructed tweed moment of the night came from Anne Hathaway. Her Versace dress and matching arm sleeves showcase why Lagerfeld had such an affinity for the unique fabric over his long career. The cream-colored gown is embellished with gold safety pins, pearls, and camellia flowers. It’s a gorgeous marriage between the gaudiness of Versace and the old Hollywood class of Chanel. The high slit coming up the dress is a subtle reminder Hathaway doesn’t let the ageist culture of Hollywood stop her from pulling a solid look.

Doja Cat

One of Karl Lagerfeld’s most important lasting legacies is his cat Choupette. The 11-year-old Birman cat has been on magazine covers, did photoshoots, and served as the inspiration behind the Lagerfeld Cornflower Blue Spring 2012 Collection. According to a 2015 interview with The Cut, Lagerfeld claims his beloved Choupette earned over 3 million that year from modeling gigs.

Several guests at this year’s Met Gala dressed up as the famous feline, including Lil Nas X and Jared Leto. However, none stole the show like Doja Cat. Doja stunned fans at home with a sleek silver Oscar de La Renta hooded gown with matching cat ears. The true standout from her look was a prosthetic cat face, perfectly imitating Lagerfeld’s iconic pet.

Doja is known for stepping outside the box with her style and turning heads for better or worse. This year, the aptly named rapper hit the nail on the head.

Jeremy Pope

Jeremy Pope had the internet in a chokehold with his show-stopping cape. The 30-foot-long piece doubles as a mural of Karl Lagerfeld and was designed by Oliver Rousteing of Balmain. This year’s Met Gala featured so many methods of honoring one of the most influential designers of the last 50 years. From runway callbacks to Karl cosplay, even imitations of his cat. Nonetheless, popes simple approach knocked it out of the park and exemplified how fashion is a true art form.