All the 2023 Met Gala details you need, including the theme and who’s going
Fashion's most exciting evening is upon us. Known the world over for its glamorous red carpet moments, the annual Met Gala is organized by Vogue as a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. It's also an opportunity for A-list celebs, models, and designers to show off their fashion bona fides.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the big night.
What is the theme?
Each Gala has a theme corresponding to the exhibition inside the Met, which celebs experience as they mingle and dine throughout the evening. This year's theme is "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty." It celebrates the late German designer's more than 60-year career in the fashion industry leading the creative direction of Chloé, Fendi, and, most notably, Chanel.
You May Also Like
The theme has been criticized by some for celebrating Lagerfeld, who made several fatphobic, racist, and misogynistic comments in the press before his death in 2019.
How to watch the red carpet
Vogue is streaming its coverage of the Met Gala live on YouTube at 6:30 PM EDT / 3:30 PM PDT. The stream will feature Emma Chamberlain, La La Anthony, Derek Blasberg, and Saturday Night Live's Chloe Fineman. You can access the stream at this link or simply click on the player embedded below at 6:30 PM EDT / 3:30 PM PDT:
What should we expect to see on the red carpet?
Lagerfeld was known for his distinct personal style, which he refined as he aged, and we should expect to see modern interpretations of it on the carpet. In his later years, Lagerfeld wore almost exclusively black and white, usually a blouse with trousers and a jacket. He used white powder on his hair, which was always swept back into a low ponytail, wore gloves, and was never seen without his black sunglasses. He was beloved within the industry for these and other eccentricities, especially his adoration of his cat, Choupette (who should make an appearance this evening).
Lagerfeld's more than a half-century of work in the industry is so extensive that it is difficult to summarize. His designs were known for their unfailing elegance, and he often played with hues of pink, white, and black. He rejuvenated the house of Chanel and reinvented its iconic suit, to which he added his own whimsical interpretations of proportion and the brand's signature tweed. Expect suits, blazers, tweed, pearls, and lace on the carpet, in delicate pastels, white, or black.
Who is attending?
As Vogue's editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour curates the Met Gala guest list of who's-who in pop culture and entertainment. Penélope Cruz, Michaela Coel, Roger Federer, and Dua Lipa are this year's co-chairs and should be in attendance. Florence Pugh, Paris Hilton, Priyanka Chopra, Kim Kardashian, and Elle Fanning have all confirmed they are attending, and it's all but certain a few of Lagerfeld's model muses — like Cara Delevingne, Naomi Campbell, Karlie Kloss, Devon Aoki, and Gigi Hadid — will grace the carpet.
The Cut notes that Chanel brand ambassadors like Margot Robbie, Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard, Margaret Qualley, and Jennie from BLACKPINK should make appearances. Last, but not least, Lagerfeld's favorite feline, Choupette, is the "only guest explicitly confirmed to have gotten an invite" says The Cut, which means the red carpet will be covered in fur by the end of the night.
Elizabeth is a digital culture reporter covering the internet's influence on self-expression, fashion, and fandom. Her work explores how technology shapes our identities, communities, and emotions. Before joining Mashable, Elizabeth spent six years in tech. Her reporting can be found in Rolling Stone, The Guardian, TIME, and Teen Vogue. Follow her on Instagram here.
