2023 Met Gala

On May 1st, the 2023 Met Gala took place. Expectations were low this year after the past Gala’s looks left viewers disappointed and wanting more. Although this year, it was a balance of being caught off guard and being pleasantly surprised.

The theme of this year was in honor of Karl Lagerfeld: a famous German fashion designer and creative director for Chanel. The designer passed away on February 19th, 2019, when he was 85 years old. He was the man behind Chanel’s cultural resurgence in the 90s.

However, that is not to say that Lagerfeld was without controversy. He has made many problematic comments that spread like wildfire in the fashion industry. So, when it was announced that Anna Wintour, a dear friend of Lagerfeld, made the Met Gala’s theme in honor of him, it left many people with a bad taste in their mouths.

There were hits and misses at the Met Gala, and this year was no different. Although viewers confidently say that celebrities this year stepped up their game. Fans agree that Anne Hathaway won the title of Best Dressed in her Versace tweed safety pin dress. It encapsulated everything that Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel represented.

American rapper Cardi B had three different outfits for the Gala. She was spotted outside her hotel in a flamboyant bubblegum pink gown, fooling the paparazzi into thinking that was her dress for the event. The next was paying homage to Karl Lagerfeld’s style. It was a black gown resembling a dress shirt and tie, with big camellia flowers on the skirt. Her third outfit was what she wore to the actual party. It was a tweed pink and black hounds tooth dress that was the least extravagant and probably the easiest to move around in.

Jared Leto had everyone laughing and in awe when he showed up in a full cat costume. The costume resembled Lagerfeld’s beloved cat, Choupette. Leto also confirmed fans’ theories that at least one person would show up as the fashionable feline.

“Honestly the outfits were so iconic, but there were a few debatable ones. I absolutely loved Halle Bailey’s dresses and her hair. Although, a few outfits like Doja Cat’s and Jared Leto’s were just too much. They literally turned themselves into cats. That’s crazy,” said Deerfield Beach High School freshman Raziya Nixon.

The Met Gala went live on Vogue’s YouTube channel, and everyone was giving their two cents on the looks that appeared on the toothpaste-colored carpet.

“Lil Nas X. Maybe I just don’t know anything about fashion, but his look was a bit confusing to me. He literally looks naked,” said DBHS junior Kishana Jean-Louis.

There were many shocking outfits at the Gala, but something more surprising was the now famous cockroach that stole the spotlight. This cockroach went viral after stunning all of the celebrities who were present. As it was just walking around, a paparazzi decided to give the fabulous roach a photoshoot of its own.

The themes for the Met Gala in the last few years have been iffy with fans and it didn’t help that this year’s was in honor of a very controversial man. But they made the most out of it with iconic outfits. This year, the Met Gala was well received by the public. With Anna Wintour becoming stricter with the guest list, perhaps better looks will appear in the future.

Written by Mackenzie Cobbler | Graphic Designed by Mackenzie Cobbler

Published May 29, 2023 | ePathfinder | Perspectives