T
he Met season is always a significant time for fashion. The scenes go abuzz with designers intricately weaving garments that will be a wonder to behold, Hollywood superstars buzzing the phones of their glam team for strategies on how to be the talk of the “ball” and the media projecting who’s going to wear what! That time of the year is fast upon us, and as expected, things are taking an uber-creative turn.
Come Monday, May 1, the Metropolitan Musuem of Art will play host to the stars and fashion aristocrats as they bring to life this year’s exhibition theme ‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty’. The 2023 Met Gala theme alone should get you excited as a tribute to the master designer will certainly call for all stops to be pulled out. Solid hues, understatded embellishments, and varying silhouettes are some of the themes we expect to reverberate. But it wouldn’t surprise us if a celeb or two decide to channel their inner Lagerfeld with his signature look: white hair, black sunglasses, and fingerless gloves. Karl Lagerfeld, who died in 2019, was the creative director of Chanel, Fendi, and his brand Karl Lagerfeld until his death.
Ahead of the 2023 Met Gala, Vogue Magazine asked “10 designers inspired by Lagerfeld’s visionary work to interpret it anew” for its May Cover Story. Each one of these designers, through their creations, communicated how much of an inspiration Lagerfeld was in their lives and careers. Their Met Gala-worthy masterpieces, worn by some of Lagerfeld’s favorite models, are a lavish nod to the German fashion icon. Photographed by Annie Leibovitz at the Grand Palais, the designs symbolize his impact on the world of fashion and eclectic taste that reminds all of why Lagerfeld will forever be that designer.
These Met Gala 2023 looks would defo make Karl Lagerfeld proud…
#1. Donatella Versace
Donatella met the iconic Lagerfeld through her brother, Gianni Versace. According to the businesswoman, “Karl means a lot to many designers, including myself.“ Versace created a floral ball dress with a black corset bodice to honor the late designer. Lagerfeld’s genuine love for women certainly inspired this work. Kendall Jenner rocked the dress for the shoot, and if you ask me, I think it would look great on Jodie Turner-Smith at the Met Gala. No doubt, her poise and confident strut would do justice to this grandiose masterpiece.
#2. John Galliano
Out of many things that made the British designer and creative director of Maison Margiela admire the icon, Lagerfeld’s hunger to know people’s perspectives on fashion was at the forefront. Everyone who met him must have heard him end most sentences with “Non?” A sort of question mark, ensuring you engage and join the conversation. He was always open to hearing new perspectives and never stopped learning.
Galliano created a ruffled polka dot sleeveless white dress with sequin embroidery and pearl accents for the challenge. This dress was worn by Natalia Vodianova and has vintage Hollywood glam written all over it. If Zöe Kravitz steps into this number, it’s game over at the 2023 Met Gala carpet.
#3. Pierpaolo Piccioli
Piccioli, the creative director at Valentino, met with Lagerfeld in the 90s. And like many other designers, he learned something impressive from the icon. In honor of Karl Lagerfeld, Piccioli created this fashion statement: an imperial costume featuring a button-down shirt with a tie, a miniskirt, brown boots, and most of all, gigantic floral embellishments.
Piccioli said Karl’s zeal for modern designs, his choice to never take anything for granted and his passion for creating with anything inspired this look. While Anok Yai effortlessly modeled this fit, we think the white-and-black-themed offering would be an obvious take for Janelle Monáe at the Met. This way, the star doesn’t step out of her familiar zone but will still manage to explore new waters with the floral detailing.
#4. Christopher John Rogers
Rogers, an African American fashion designer, studied Karl Lagerfeld’s work at Fendi and appreciated his craft and authenticity. This led Rogers to create something authentic in honor of this fashion legend that’s also worthy of the Met Gala 2023 carpet: a horizontal striped maxi turtleneck dress. And because Rogers will not leave out a good color splash, he opted for vibrant hues that popped gorgeous on Adut Akech Bior’s skin. We certainly know that if Lupita Nyong’o discovers this dress, it would be a Met carpet moment to remember.
#5. Thom Browne
The American “preppy” fashion designer appreciated Karl when the latter bought some of his designs from the Parisian concept store, Colette. Browne also appreciates Karl’s workmanship and skills, most especially his use of shape, molded shoulders, and proportions.
Thom’s outfit is a graceful, royal, and beautifully flamboyant tailored dress with a massive cape and train that gives Shalom Harlow a poise that’s not just majestic, but supremely alive and almost ethereal. This voguish preppy getup would be a great fit for Tessa Thompson’s style and attitude.
#6. Jun Takahashi
Jun Takahashi, the founder of Undercover, had something to say about Lagerfeld. He emphasized the late icon’s ability to weave fashion trends from every era into Chanel, thereby causing the brand to keep evolving.
Takahashi decided to recreate the renowned Chanel tweed suit for the 2023 Met Gala in honor of Karl Lagerfeld. In true Chanel fashion, he created a Chanel-style cropped tweed jacket and black wide-leg pants and accessorized with flamboyant rows of necklaces and an imposing headpiece. Although this outfit seems understated at first glance, the embedded razor details take a stab at boring in a way that is reminiscent of Lagerfeld’s work. Liu Wen wore this fantastic look, and I honestly recommend it as a good fit for Chanel Iman. The top model is known for her poise, and no one can take the carpet stride in this look better than this star.
#7. Olivier Rousteing
Rousteing, a French designer and creative director of Balmain, says Karl Lagerfeld is his biggest inspiration in life. This is understandable because Lagerfeld worked as Balmain’s creative director long before Rousteing took up the role in 2011.
To Rousteing, Karl Lagerfeld is more than “the Chanel main guy.” He’s a pioneer, a king, and a creator of fashion. And to give tribute, Rousteing created a piece after a careful study of Karl’s work during his time at Balmain. The outfit, worn by Naomi Campbell, is a double-breasted pantsuit with prominent golden buttons. It was completed with a rich velvet coat and, of course, Lagerfeld’s beloved cat Choupette was the perfect company. At first glance, you can see Lagerfeld’s aura around this outfit, and it’s no news that Zendaya knows how to rock a suave suit.
#8. Chitose Abe
The Met Gala 2023 honor of Karl Lagerfeld continues with Chitose Abe who created a white and black pleated dress as a tribute to the icon. The founder of the Japanese brand, Sacai, said she held on to some of Lagerfeld’s words as she ran her brand. With such respect for the German designer, it’s no surprise that the inspiration behind this dress was Karl’s signature outfits.
Abe consciously tried not to reproduce Lagerfeld’s look but rather transformed it into a Sacai number. The pleats conveyed an effeminate aura, and those sturdy boots on Amber Valletta ensured the dress never took the cliché route. It’s a chic ensemble that would remind all at the 2023 Met Gala why Taraji P Henson is That Girl. It matches her edgy, feminine style perfectly.
#9. Simone Rocha
Simone Rocha was inspired by one of Lagerfeld’s pieces during his Chloé era. Rocha has a knack for swiveling the tulle to serve androgynous purposes. From dresses to skirts, the designer holds this texture down like no other.
This time, a bridal lace dress with unapologetic tulle was the subject as Rocha recalled Lagerfeld. Devon Aoki carried this over-the-top number and Maison Margiela pearl necklace with elegance, and I think that Chloe Bailey in this dress would have anyone saying “I Do.”
#10. Gucci
For the 2023 Met Gala remembrance of Karl Lagerfeld, Gigi Hadid was dressed in a heavily-embellished Gucci cutout mini dress. She held onto a matching jacket studded with pearls and crystals. The dress might be a hefty one to pull off, but its party-girl energy is an apt fit for Marsai Martin. The actress’ vibrant youthful gear toward style recently has her exploring diverse fashion renderings. This dress on her would be a breath of fresh air in a whimsical and edgy way.
As we look forward to the 2023 Met Gala, where the genius Karl Lagerfeld would be honored, we can’t deny that these designers and their pieces did enough justice to pay massive respect to the man who inspires everyone in the fashion industry. Long live the King.
See the full feature on Vogue.
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