Met Gala 2023: All the best, worst and wildest looks from the red carpet
Wait, is that really...? An Oscar-winning Hollywood actress has debuted a truly unrecognisable new look at today’s Met Gala.
The 2023 Met Gala has rolled out the red carpet on the iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, New York, for one of the most anticipated star-studded spectacle on the celebrity calendar.
This year’s theme – Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty – is inspired by the legendary Chanel fashion designer, who died in 2019 aged 85.
So far, it’s meant a somewhat more reserved and tasteful Met Gala compared to recent years, where broad themes like “Camp” and “Heavenly Bodies” gave attendees full creative license to go large. But leave it to a few celebs to bring the drama - we’re looking at you, Lil Nas X and Jared Leto...
First, to one of the biggest surprises of the event: Yes, this is A-list actress Jessica Chastain. With her sunnies and newly-blonde ‘do, we didn't recognise the 46-year-old Oscar winner at all. The look serves as a clear homage to Lagerfeld’s own personal style - camp!
See Chastain and the man this night is in honour of, Karl Lagerfeld, side by side:
Also taking the theme to the extreme, Jared Leto - who arrived as Lagerfeld’s beloved cat, Choupette:
Rihanna kept us all waiting, as is her right, walking the carpet dead last:
Another wild outfit - Lil Nas X, who’s arrived wearing nothing but a G-string, a mask and a whole lot of glittery body paint:
Cardi B nailed the brief! She looks incredible in this high-glam Lagerfeld homage:
Kim Kardashian has brought daughter North West as her date, and it’s hard to imagine Karl would approve of North wearing baggy jeans to the Met Gala:
The Kardashian kids love denim! Kylie Jenner takes her date, Stormi, who’s clad in denim jeans and jacket:
Kendall jenner opted for giant platforms, giant sleeves... and no pants:
Model Karlie Kloss used the event to reveal that she’s pregnant again, showing off her baby bump in a figure-hugging dress:
Jennifer Lopez, sans Ben:
It girl Paris Hilton, all in black:
Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour walked the carpet arm-in-arm with her partner, actor Bill Nighy. The pair were first rumoured to be dating back in 2015 but have largely kept their relationship under wraps – making this a rare public showing for the couple:
Aussie A-listers Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. Nicole revealed on the carpet she’s wearing a Lagerfeld dress she originally wore for a 2004 Chanel ad:
Fellow Aussie power couple, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin:
And yet another Aussie power couple – it’s Hugh Jackman and wife Deborra-lee Furness:
Another A-list Aussie, Margot Robbie:
And another A-list Aussie export - Miranda Kerr:
Neo-soul songstress Erykah Badu seems to have gone a little shy:
Is Emily in Paris star walking the carpet with a gown emblazoned with the name ‘KARL’ a bit literally? Yes. Is it still an impressive sight? Also yes.
Another one to wear their heart on their... train, actor Jeremy Pope:
Well this is awkward. Actor / director Olivia Wilde and filmmaker Margaret Zhang have turned up in the same outfit – albeit in different colours:
Florence Pugh teamed her close-cropped hair with a dramatic headpiece:
Dua Lipa:
Janelle Monae made the most out of her time on the carpet, giving the photographers a spectacular reveal:
Singer Billie Eilish:
Pedro Pascal flashing a bit of knee, the brazen hussy:
Kristen Stewart is another star who seems to be channelling Lagerfeld himself with this androgynous look:
Pop superstar Lizzo:
Anne Hathaway:
Cara Delevingne:
Ridiculously attractive couple, Rita Ora and Taika Waititi:
Here's another look at both those outfits:
Another ridiculously attractive couple, Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas:
Recent Aussie visitor, Sydney Sweeney:
Marvellous Mrs Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan went near-topless in this revealing sheer gown:
R&B legend Mary J. Blige:
Pop-punk princess Olivia Rodrigo:
Salma Hayek, always a sight to behold:
Jenna Ortega looks like she came fresh from the set of her Netflix hit Wednesday:
Fellow Wednesday Addams alumni - now Yellowjackets star - Christina Ricci:
Oscar-winner Viola Davis:
White Lotus icon Aubrey Plaza:
Supermodel Emily Ratajkowski:
Actress Emily Blunt:
Model Gigi Hadid:
Actress Elle Fanning:
Model and singer Karen Elson:
Mother has arrived! It’s Naomi Campbell:
Fellow supermodel Gisele Bündchen:
Another legendary supermodel, Kate Moss, with daughter Lila:
Everyone’s favourite chef / photographer / nepo baby, Brooklyn Beckham with wife Nicola Peltz:
Is it just us, or is Killing Eve star Jodie Comer looking very vintage Jerry Hall tonight?
Model Ashley Graham:
I May Destroy You star Michaela Coel:
Actress Gabrielle Union:
Euphoria star Maude Apatow:
The Crown star Vanessa Kirby:
The Little Mermaid herself, Halle Bailey:
Mamma Mia, it’s Amanda Seyfried!
Ariana DeBose, you are EVERYTHING:
Serena Williams and husband Alexis Ohanian. Like Karlie Kloss, Serena was another celeb to use the event to announce her pregnancy - showing off a noticable baby bump on Instagram.
Actress Kelsey Asbille Chow:
Penelope Cruz is angelic in all-white:
Singer Phoebe Bridgers:
Rapper Ice Spice:
Talking Heads music legend David Byrne brought his own bicycle – handy!
SNL star Chloe Fineman looks stunning:
TV personality La La Anthony:
Tennis champ Roger Federer and wife Mirka:
As for formalities inside the venue, Penélope Cruz, Michaela Coel, Roger Federer, Dua Lipa and Vogue’s Anna Wintour, are serving as hosts and the night’s official co-chairs.
While it’s all about the glitz and glamour today, the theme for this year’s Met was hit with backlash when it was announced last year.
UK actress Jameela Jamil led criticism for the decision to honour the divisive German designer, who had made a slew of controversial comments over the years, including a 2009 interview in which he told German magazine Focus that “no one wants to see curvy women.”
He also copped heat after making a derogatory statement about the #MeToo Movement.
“If you don’t want your pants pulled about, don’t become a model! Join a nunnery, there’ll always be a place for you in the convent,” Lagerfeld reportedly told Numero in 2018.
Sharing a black-and-white portrait of Lagerfeld in October on her Instagram page, Jamil claimed that Lagerfeld “used his platform in such a distinctly hateful way, mostly towards women.”
“Why is THIS who we celebrate when there are so many AMAZING designers out there who aren’t bigoted white men?” she asked.
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