The current parade of awards shows on red carpets may have you craving something more. More glamour, more extravagance, more celebrity. Well, lucky for you, the 2023 Met Gala is just around the corner and it’s likely to give you all that and then some. After last year, which brought two Galas in just nine months, waiting for the next full year might have seemed like an impossible task, but the first Monday in May arrives and new information about the event is revealed every day. Here, we break down everything we know about the Met Gala 2023, from the exhibition to coincide with it to the star-studded hosts.
What is the theme of Met Gala 2023?
In September, it was revealed that the 2023 Met Gala will pay tribute to the late Karl Lagerfeld with the theme “Karl Lagerfeld: The Line of Beauty.” Of course, there will also be an accompanying exhibition that will show the designer’s work during his 65-year career. Around 150 pieces from Lagerfeld’s time at Balmain, Patou, Chloé, Fendi, Chanel and his eponymous label will be on display, as well as accompanying sketches showing the designer’s “unique methodology”. The exhibition will open on May 5, the Friday after the Gala, and will last until mid-July.
What is the dress code for the Met Gala 2023?
Considering the theme of the event and the exhibition, it’s only fitting that the dress code for the Gala is “In honor of Karl.” This does not necessarily mean that every visitor will be wearing Lagerfeld’s pieces, although there are some a lots of to choose from, and it’s likely that a lot of guests will go this route, pulling from Chanel, Fendi, and maybe even the Patou and Chloé archives. However, those looking to work with current designers are likely to be inspired by both Lagerfeld’s expansive portfolio and his own idiosyncratic personal style. So expect to see plenty of black ties, starched collars and white ponytails, as well as a handful of fingerless gloves and maybe a Choupette reference or two on the red carpet this year.
When is the Met Gala 2023?
As usual, the Met Gala will be held on the first Monday in May, which this year falls on the first. What better way to start the month than fashion’s biggest night?
Who is hosting the Met Gala 2023?
This year, Michaela Coel, Penélope Cruz, Roger Federer and Dua Lipa, along with Anna Wintour, are the official co-chairs of the Gala. This array of stars actually covers all kinds of celebrities. Federer is one of tennis’ all-time greats, and although he announced his retirement last year, he remains an icon of the sport as well as a public figure thanks to his many endorsement deals, business partnerships and philanthropic efforts. Lipa, of course, is one of the world’s biggest pop stars and a three-time Grammy winner who recently wrapped up her Future Nostalgia tour. More recently, she has also become a bona fide fashion It-girl, often wearing looks just days after they walk the runway and cultivating relationships with the world’s most sought-after designers.
Then there are the Hollywood stars in Coel and Cruz. Coel represents a versatile talent on the rise, thanks to the success of her two shows, I can destroy you and Chewing gum. Last year she starred in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and she used the press tour for the film to prove her fashion skills. And, of course, there’s Cruz, a loyal A-Lister, but also Chanel’s girlfriend. She has been an ambassador for the fashion house since 2018 and helped close Chanel’s fall 2019 show, Lagerfeld’s last for the brand.
Like Vanessa Friedman highlighted, this is the first time in a while that the hosting team doesn’t include a designer or business insider of any kind. Tom Ford has held the role for the past two galas, with Alessandro Michele hosting in 2019. The inclusion of Virginia Viard, Chanel’s current creative director, might have been an obvious choice, but unfortunately no designers were included this year.
Who will attend the Met Gala 2023?
The Gala is still months away, so it’s hard to say who exactly will be walking that red carpet when the night finally comes. It is likely that many of the Chanel girls will be present, such as Margot Robbie, Lily-Rose Depp, Kristen Stewart and Margaret Qualley. Plus, you can probably expect major Gala stars like Blake Lively, Sarah Jessica Parker, and the usual model contingent that includes the Hadids, Paloma Elsesser, and Hailey Bieber. Last year, the Kardashians came out in full force, so it wouldn’t be surprising if it happened again. And then there’s Zendaya, who missed the last two Met Galas but will hopefully be back this year. Plus, there will be less fun but still important guests like donors (it’s easy to forget, but the Met Gala is a fundraiser). Usually the bigger fashion houses and brands like Instagram and YouTube buy the tables and fill them with their celebrities of choice, so expect some of the biggest stars of the year and maybe just a few free tickets.