2023 Met Gala’s Fashion Tribes Showcase Their Distinct Codes

By Chlarine Gianan May 04, 2023

MEGA rounds up the diverse creativity of the fashion houses to interpret the Met Gala theme, “In Honor of Karl”

Deemed as one of the biggest fashion events annually, the Met Gala is not just about the current theme of the year. It is, too, a place where different houses can exhibit their own takes on the themes and reinterpret them in their own ways. With this year honoring the late Karl Lagerfeld, each maison translated his vision from their perspectives.

With an array of interpretations that ranged from glamorous to camp, MEGA sums up the various iterations of each house for the 2023 Met Gala.

Chanel

The house celebrated Karl’s memory by opening their vintage archives to their ambassadors and the late designer’s muses. This year’s Met Gala Co-Chairs Penélope Cruz and Dua Lipa donned ball gowns, while muses Naomi Campbell and Nicole Kidman revived the pieces from the past. Marion Cotillard, Margaret Qualley, and BLACKPINK’s Jennie opted for dresses for the occasion. Finally, Kristen Stewart went for an androgynous look that mimicked Karl’s personal style. All in all, Chanel presented womanhood in more ways than one.

Balmain

This year, Olivier Rousteing played with structures and lines for the looks of his Balmain Army comprised of Conan Gray, Ice Spice, and Jeremy Pope. The lines on the gown of Ice Spice added a curvier illusion to her body. Looking at Jeremy’s whole ensemble, it was made to look soft and delicate. Conan, meanwhile, married Karl’s own style and his Chanel suit designs with his crisp half-collared, half-tweed piece.

Fendi

This year, the maison prepared a mixture of colors into the looks of their muses. However, what stood out the most was the blush pink frocks of Asian superstar Song Hye Kyo and supermodel mom-and-daughter tandem Kate and Lila Moss. The strong sense of femininity in these looks were a breath of fresh air from the white and black creations seen on the steps.

Chloé

Original and reimagined designs of Lagerfeld’s were presented by the maison that night. The designers also incorporated Karl’s artistry for embellishments and music into his creations through the electric guitar and violin-designed dresses worn by Gabriela Hearst and Olivia Wilde, respectively.

Karl Lagerfeld

The designer’s eponymous line also paid tribute to him through black and white pieces at the Met Gala. Drama in the form of volume was evident on Brian Tyree Henry’s ruffled cape, Cara Delevigne’s flowy yet crisp frock, and Michelle Yeoh’s off-shoulder sheer sleeves.

Michael Kors

The designer captured Karl’s love for flora, bling, and lace with the outfits of Kerry Washington, Ashley Park, and Emily Blunt. Camellia appliqués were present in Vanessa Hudgens’ gown, as well as Emily’s. Meanwhile, Ashley highlighted the late designer’s affinity for silver chains and fingerless gloves.

Dior

The men of the Met Gala’s hour wore structured suits from the maison, but in different styles that presented their individual identities, making each gentleman dapperly donned. Robert Pattinson paid homage to Karl’s skirt-over-trousers style, while Co-Chair Roger Federer’s suit had a lining of Lagerfeld’s sketches inside. Lastly, Ke Huy Quan went for a striped suit with a brooch on the tie and fingerless gloves, just like Karl’s own fashion.

Gucci

Tartan, latex, lace, silk, sheer, and feathers were only a few of the fabrics the house used to dress their stars like Serena Williams, A$AP Rocky, and Jessica Chastain. Ruffles also added a dramatic effect to the frocks worn by Salma Hayek and Halle Bailey.

Louis Vuitton

Asian creatives Nichapat Suphap and Jackson Wang went for clean yet Karl-coded designs courtesy of the maison. The Vogue Thailand contributing editor opted for a deep v-cut gown with a feathered bottom. On the other hand, the house ambassador and GOT7 member’s sunnies agenda seemed to be the only homage for the late designer. But looking closely at his outfit, it actually carried the military jacket silhouette present in a lot of Lagerfeld’s designs in the past. Louis Vuitton added a twist of theirs by incorporating the suit’s lining with their flower symbol.

Valentino

The house dressed a number of guests at the Met Gala, each portraying their individual statements. Rihanna went for a camellia-bloomed cape over a silk dress that was an iteration of the Chanel bride—her take of a classic yet dramatic entrance to the event. While most pieces made for the night were in black and white, Pedro Pascal and Viola Davis went for bolder color choices of red and pink, respectively.

Prada

Tuxedos and coats of varying lengths and styles were evident on the pieces donned by stars Rami Malek, Dwayne Wade, and Letitia Wright—an interpretation of the house to Karl’s favorite articles. Prada ambassador Maya Hawke wore a floral, embroidered dress and cape, which was once again a modern take on the Chanel bride.

Thom Browne

Suited pieces of varying textures were Thom Browne’s offer for the night, stunning the guests by the outfits of Jenna Ortega, Janelle Monáe, and Sora Choi. Janelle went for campy, Jenna went for a tweed, chained, and pearl accented one, while Sora wore the dramatic suit featured on Vogue. Bella Ramsey’s suit had delicate pearls on her suits, creating that drop illusion. And finally, Olivia Rodrigo stood out from the rest with a fringed gown with a camellia bustier.

Tiffany & Co.

Kate Moss, Serena Williams, Florence Pugh, and Dua Lipa attended the night shining in their Tiffany jewelry. From diamond bracelet stacks, a crusted choker, layers of pearls, and a blinding diamond pendant, the four women displayed the intricate craftsmanship involved in making each piece.

Cartier

From watches to high jewelry, stars like Lily Collins, Amanda Seyfried, Emma Chamberlain, Elle Fanning, and siblings Billie Eilish and FINNEAS donned Cartier pieces in different ways. It is a testament to the maison’s timeless and versatile stylistics in all of their designs.