2023 MET GALA HIGHLIGHTS 

“KARL LAGERFELD: A LINE OF BEAUTY” 

Every year on the first Monday in May, the world turns its gaze to the iconic steps of New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, where its annual Met Gala unfolds. Synonymous with “fashion’s biggest night,” the star-studded event marks the official opening of The MET Costume Institute’s annual exhibition. 

A DEFINING TRIBUTE 

In 2023, The Met Gala marked a defining cultural moment for the KARL LAGERFELD brand, as the celebration was dedicated entirely to the creative legacy of its founder through “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.” 

 This was not only a moment of recognition, but a powerful reaffirmation of Karl’s enduring relevance in contemporary culture. The night was not defined by nostalgia, but by reinvention — proof that his legacy is not static, but constantly evolving through new voices and perspectives.   

THE RED CARPET AS A CANVAS 

On the MET’s steps, red carpet arrivals unfolded as a living showcase of his creative universe, including appearances by KARL LAGERFELD’s own community of VIPs: Academy Award-winning actors Michelle Yeoh and Jared Leto; model Cara Delevingne; model and KARL LAGERFELD Sustainability Ambassador Amber Valletta; model and actor Alton Mason; actor Brian Tyree Henry; popstar and actor Manu Rios; and singer Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. Each wore designs from KARL’s archives or bespoke haute couture pieces created by the Maison’s Creative Director, Hun Kim, for this once-in-a-lifetime occasion. A special highlight was Jared Leto’s larger-than-life feline costume — a playful nod to Karl’s beloved cat, Choupette — which brought a moment of humor and theatricality to the red carpet.  

A LIVING LEGACY 

Additional Met Gala guests — over 500 in total — reinterpreted Karl’s signature codes with imagination, precision and bold individuality. Together, these appearances underscored the depth and diversity of Karl’s creative language. Each look became a narrative in itself, illustrating how his design codes continue to inspire across generations and disciplines.  

BEYOND THE RED CARPET

Following the red carpet event, KARL LAGERFELD hosted a spectacular after-party at The Mark Hotel, where attendees — including Amber, Cara, Alton, Jared, Carla, Manu and Brian — were joined by guests like Jonathan Ke Quan, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Coco Rocha, Teyana Taylor, James Corden, Lukas Gage, Chris Appleton, Bella Ramsey, Caro Daur and Tina Leung. 

The Maison also took over the façade of the Helmsley building — a NYC landmark beside Grand Central Station — with a projection of Karl’s 3D cameo that was created exclusively for the Met Gala. The rotating image cast a striking presence across the skyline, accompanied by one of Karl’s most iconic quotes: “Embrace the present and invent the future.” 

INSIDE THE EXHIBITION 

Open for 10 weeks, the Costume Institute’s 2023 exhibition was curated by acclaimed art and culture expert Andrew Bolton, who revisited pieces from Karl’s six-decade-long career to explore his everlasting impact on fashion. 

ATELIER REVIVAL 

In the lead-up to the Met Gala, the House also reopened an atelier at its Rue St-Guillaume Maison in Paris, spearheaded by Hun Kim together with Anita Briey — former Première d’Atelier, who worked alongside Karl for over 50 years. 

A LASTING IMPRESSION 

The 2023 Met Gala stands as a landmark moment, reinforcing the brand’s position at the intersection of heritage and innovation, where past, present and future coexist in a continuous dialogue. The evening celebrated fashion at its most expressive: bold, emotional and deeply connected to the vision of a designer whose influence remains as powerful today as ever.