The race for the best-dressed celebrities at the 2023 Met Gala continues to cause an uproar among internet circles that just cannot get enough of the biggest night in the fashion industry – even hours after the event occurred. Although a few key elements were missing at the event – fashion icons Blake Lively and Zendaya – this year’s Met Gala did not leave anything to be desired, as each attendee perfectly embodied this year’s slightly controversial theme: “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.”
Despite there having been a few flops amidst the monumental gowns representing high couture, the Met Gala still saw its high fashion carpet find its mesmeric stride once more. With nearly every single attendee yearning for being titled one of the best-dressed stars walking the most fashionably-demanding flooring, the hard task of actually distinguishing the most iconic ‘fits of the night proves to be nearly impossible, but here are WGTC’s own picks for the celebs who left no crumbs.
Dua Lipa in Chanel
Dua Lipa instantly became the talk of the hour with her jaw-dropping 100-carat diamond necklace adorning the vintage Chanel black and white tweed ballgown from 1992. Simple yet stunningly delivered by the British-Armenian singer, this absolutely mesmerizing choice made its way onto everyone’s list for favorites of the night. In addition to her indisputably eye-catching gown, one mustn’t forget the real star of the show: Tiffany & Co.’s necklace set with an over100-carat diamond cut in the same cushion-cut shape as the iconic yellow Tiffany Diamond.
Brian Tyree Henry in Karl Lagerfeld
The Atlanta actor absolutely stole the show with his nonconforming and opulent take on a suit, from Karl Lagerfeld’s eponymous line. As the perfect homage to the late designer, the actor gorgeously defied the expected, boring norm often brought by the Met Gal’s male attendees through its sumptuous layers of ruffles and pearl necklaces, bringing something different to the table that garnered the eyes of all those around him.
Nicole Kidman in vintage Chanel
Revisiting one of her most iconic looks from 2004’s Chanel No. 5 advert directed by Baz Luhrmann, Nicole Kidman dressed to impress in an elegant form-fitting feathery pink silk gown. The dress’ spectacular couture style is embroidered with 250 pink feathers and over 3,000 silver crystals and sequins. While she was undoubtedly one of the best-dressed stars of the night, her garment was also able to tell a story that will forever remain in Chanel’s own treasured archives.
Taika Waititi
Capable of upstaging even the gorgeous Rita Ora, whom he recently tied the knot with, Taika Waititi wowed all the prying and judgemental eyes that saw him walk down the red carpet hand in hand with the British singer. The New Zealand-born actor and director upped the fashion stakes from the moment he arrived at the event, his long, dusty blue jacket breaking the boring tux norm so often seen around the Gala.
Anne Hathaway in Versace
Wearing a floor-length, monochrome, tweed gown that was completed with Versace goal safety pins and a string of pearls holding it all together, Anne Hathway stunned everyone from the moment she was glimpsed just outside of the event. This ensemble was the perfect homage to Versace and Chanel in a mish-mash of elements reminiscing all fashion fans of the high couture brands that shone on the red carpet of the Met Gala.
Jackson Wang in Louis Vuitton
Seemingly simple in all-black attire, K-Pop Chinese idol Jackson Wang graced the floors of the Met Gala for the very first time last night, and needless to say, the singer and fashion designer turned all the heads in his head-to-toe Louis Vuitton ensemble. Accessorizing the all-black suit with an embellished bracelet, heeled dress shoes, tinted black sunglasses, and dual-colored hair, Jackson’s intention to pay homage to Lagerfeld was immediately clear from the moment he was seen wearing the designer’s dark signature look.
Penelope Cruz in vintage Chanel
The bridal Chanel look swung in full force at the 2023 Met Gala, but perhaps for whoever wore it best, it may well have just been Penélope Cruz. With an absolutely astonishing white down adorned with gemstones cascading down the layered skirt, the Spanish actress completed the look with an ethereal veil draped over her slicked-back bun, perfectly reminiscent of the bridal theme found in the event. With sequins and pearls on the bodice captivating anyone coming across the actress, the romantic design was also completed with gemstone drop earrings and a leather belt.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Thom Browne
One of the most pleasant surprises of the entire night was none other than NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who seems to have temporarily traded his field expertise for haute couture – even if only for a night. Perfectly embodying the Lagerfeld black and white theme that was so adored by the designer, the Oklahoma City Thunder star attended the event in a Thom Browne suit that featured a white tuxedo top, a bowtie, adorned with chains and pearls around his neck. The athlete completed the look with a matching cardigan and skirt set with a white cape on top.
Michaela Coel in Schiaparelli
British multi-talent Michaela Coel crossed over to New York grounds to receive all the attention she deserves as a co-chair of the event. In a bejeweled second-skin creation by Schiaparelli, crafted from sheer tulle, and encrusted with 130,000 golden crystals, the actress/writer/director knocked it out of the park with this stunning gown unlike any that crossed the path at the Met Gala. Understandably, as a host, she ought to receive plenty of attention with her outfit choice, but this creation clearly inspired by Lagerfeld’s costume jewelry lines clearly came to serve as an unofficial winner at the event.
Ava Max in custom Christian Siriano
Ava Max is an understated contender for the best-dressed celebrity at the Met Gala, but even if slightly underrated, the singer’s debut at the event was anything but lackluster. In a stunning custom ball gown by Christian Siriano, Max wore the form-fitting silhouette with a full, detachable train made of tulle that adorned her waist. With more than 6,000 crystals and pearls adorning the dress, especially the top piece covering the sheer tulle in her arms, the gown is still being swooned over by every fashion aficionado.
There are – arguably – neither winners nor losers at this fashion event; however, there are always those few celebrities that completely bowl us over with their wholehearted dedication to the haute couture, who are just able to embody the passion deriving from these fashion brands in each of their fabrics. Now only time will tell if any of these looks will be overthrown by this time, next year.