The most awaited fashion event is back with celebrities showing up in the most extravagant looks for the 2023 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The star-studded guest list – from veterans like Kim Kardashian, Rihanna and Jared Leto to newbies including Indian actor Alia Bhatt – arrived at the fashion’s “biggest night of the year” and served the red carpet with statement attires on the theme of 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty'.
The Met said that the theme is meant to honour the “diverse and prolific body of work unparalleled in the history of fashion” of the iconic fashion designer who was Chanel’s creative director for more than three decades, although some have been critically vocal for choosing a designer who has been known to make insensitive comments.
This year, some of the most eye-catching looks included actor and musician Jared Leto, who arrived embodied as Karl Lagerfeld's pet cat Choupette; rapper Lil Nas X covered in silver body paint, embezzled in pearls and jewels, and wearing a Venetian-style Choupette-esque mask. Jeremy Pope walked in a custom Balmain look that had a 32-foot cape emblazoned with the visage of Lagerfeld, while Rihanna showed up like Cinderella, past 10 pm, in a dramatic Valentino ensemble in white, accompanied by partner A$AP Rocky in a kilt-type layer over jeans.
On the other hand, Olivier Rousteing, who is currently the creative director of Balmain, carried a bag that read “Karl Who?”, in a subtle dig at the legendary designer who worked with Pierre Balmain, the founder of the fashion house, in his early days.
While the guests this year fill up our social media feeds with glittery glamour, here are some of the most prominent looks that have made political statements in the past:
1. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
At the 2021 Met Gala, US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stirred a controversy with her white gown that had the words "tax the rich" emblazoned across the back. It received criticism from the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), a nonpartisan watchdog, which said that the Democratic politician “accepted impermissible gifts" for the event.
2. Lena Waithe
In 2018, actor Lena Waithe defied convention for the Met Ball’s theme of “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” when she arrived in a Carolina Herrera cape in the rainbow colours of the Pride flag.
3. Rihanna
In 2018 Met Gala, Rihanna's John Galliano for Maison Margiela “pope” outfit raised eyebrows for being too controversial, disrespectful to religious traditions and insensitive to the theme of the event.
4. Katy Perry
In 2019, American singer-songwriter Katy Perry arrived at the Met Gala as a walking-talking “Chandelier” in a custom Moschino dress.
5. Billy Porter
On the theme of “camp”, in 2019, Billy Porter made the biggest entrance ever at the Met Gala, as he arrived on a litter, carried by 6 shirtless men. He wore a custom “Sun God” ensemble, by The Blonds – a bejewelled catsuit with 10-foot wings, with a 24-karat gold headpiece.
6. Eric Adams
At last year’s Met Gala, Mayor Eric Adams of New York City wore a custom tuxedo by Nigerian designer Laolu Senbanjo emblazoned with the words "End gun violence" to address a spike in mass shootings in 2020 and 2021.
7. Lena Waithe and Kerby Jean-Raymond
In 2019, Lena Waithe picked up the mantle again with the theme of “camp”, this time with Kerby Jean-Raymond of fashion label Pyer Moss, sporting matching pinstripe suits embroidered with powerful slogans. Jean Raymond protested gentrification by encouraging Black communities to “pool money” and “buy back the block”, Waithe’s suit reminded us that “Black drag queens invented camp”.
8. Dan Levy
In 2021, the creator and star of Schitts Creek, Dan Levy, in a custom JW Anderson ensemble, paid tribute to queer love, referencing an artwork by AIDS activist David Wojnarowicz.
9. Cara Delevingne
That night, actor and model Cara Delevingne wore a statement piece on the theme “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion”, in a custom Maria Grazia for Dior look, designed to provoke, with the words 'Peg the Patriarchy' written on it.
10. Carolyn B. Maloney
The same year, US Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney arrived at the Met in a dress made of "equal rights for women" pennants. She also carried a purse with the words "Era Yes" emblazoned on it.
11. Riz Ahmed
In 2022, on the theme of “Gilded Glamour”, Pakistani-born British actor Riz Ahmed wore a 4SDesigns look and paid homage to the immigrant workers.
12. Hillary Clinton
The same year, former US State Secretary Hillary Clinton made a statement as she arrived at the Gala in a Joseph Altuzarra gown which was embroidered with names of 60 women who inspire her. The list included Rosa Parks and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
