Each year, the world’s most distinguished celebrities gather at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) in New York City for the Met Gala. The annual affair, which happens every first Monday of May, is a charity event that raises money for the museum; each year the event has a theme based on a new exhibit that the museum is opening. 

This year’s theme was “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”, honoring the late fashion designer known for his work in fashion houses such as Chanel and Chloé, according to Vogue Magazine.

The event is co-chaired by Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour, who has co-chaired the event since 1995, and a group of celebrities that changes each year. This year, Penélope Cruz, Michaela Coel, Roger Federer, and Dua Lipa co-chaired the event alongside Wintour. The gala was not the only thing Wintour did this year in honor of Lagerfeld. The May issue of Vogue paid homage to the designer as well; the issue showcased many of Lagerfeld’s greatest works and included heartfelt work made by other designers in honor of him.

Beyond being a night for charity, it is a fashion spectacle. Hundreds of celebrities attend the event in extravagant clothing made to fit the theme. This year there was a sea of clothes paying homage to Lagerfeld. 

Dua Lipa

Co-chair Dua Lipa arrived at the event wearing a dress straight from the Chanel archives. She wore a classic Chanel bridal gown that was originally worn by Claudia Schiffer, who wore it while closing for the 1995-1995 Chanel runway show, People News reported. This dress was an excellent homage to Lagerfeld as the late designer would always end his shows walking a Chanel bride down the runway.

Naomi Campell

Many attending the event felt emotional while attending, as they were close to the late designer. Naomi Campell, supermodel and muse of Lagerfeld talked with Access News about Lagerfeld’s importance in her life. She explained that Lagerfeld tailored specifically to each model, which made working for Chanel very much for her. Campbell wore a long pink dress from the Chanel archives to the event, a look that the supermodel felt captured Lagerfeld’s ability to match his dresses perfectly to the model wearing them. 

Gisele Bündchen

Gisele Bünchden, one of the most recognizable supermodels in the world, showed up in a feathery jacket with an elegant white dress from the Chanel Spring 2006 show. The jacket moved beautifully on the red carpet with the kind of extravagance that Lagerfeld would channel in his designs. Additionally, upon entering the gala she wowed the crowd by showing off the jacket through lavish moves only a supermodel could channel. Additionally, she and Campbell walked down the carpet at the same time, these two legends on the same carpet at the same time are only something you can see at the Met Gala.

The Moss Girls

Channel darling Kate Moss and her daughter Lila Moss appeared in graceful pink gowns made by Fendi. Lila wore a coral dress full of feathers, a motif that Karl was known for incorporating into his designs and Kate Moss sported a sheer and silk ballet pink gown. The pair referenced the time Lagerfeld spent working for Fendi.

Ben Platt

Paying homage to the classic tweed suit, Ben Platt wore a masculine version of the classic Chanel look. He referenced the upgrades Lagerfeld made to the suit by including metallic embellishments in his outfit. He and his Broadway co-star Micaela Diamond wore Stars of David’s around their neck, which not only matched their outfits — especially the metallic touches in Platt’s tweed ensemble — but also featured his Jewish faith and heritage.

Jared Leto and Doja Cat

Some attendees went in a more unique direction for their fashions. Jared Leto and Doja Cat paid homage to the late designer’s beloved cat Choupette, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Doja Cat wore face prosthetics resembling a cat and paired the look with a one-piece that had a set of cat ears. Leto, on the other hand, dawned a fursuit that, eerily, further resembled the cat. The looks were the cat’s meow, to say the least.

Elle Fanning

Actress Elle Fanning wore a dress designed by Vivienne Westwood, full of nostalgia for the designer. The dress was inspired by an outfit Fanning wore in Lagerfeld’s book on the Little Black Jacket, a clothing item. She paired it with a necklace inspired by Grace Kelly made by Cartier, who Fanning attended the event on behalf of. The outfit was a nice mix of reference to Lagerfeld’s work while honoring the relationship he and Fanning had.

Lily Collins

Lily Collins wore a gown made by Vera Wang with “Karl” embroidered on the tail of the dress, Collins explained in an interview with E! News. Additionally, Collins wore a silver Cartier necklace and a red lip that captured the elegance of the Chanel brand. Wang sported a similar dress in that Lagerfeld’s name was also written on the bottom of the dress.

After reviewing

This year’s Gala was full of emotional moments and chic pieces. Many celebrities brought their A-game when honoring the late designer, resulting in a very successful gala, not only in raising money but commemorating all of the work that Lagerfeld did for the fashion industry. 

The Met Gala is an opportunity for people who love fashion to see into its extravagant world. While I may not be able to walk the illustrious steps of the Met in a designer gown for one of the most prestigious nights of the year, I was still able to experience the event’s splendor from the comfort of my own home.