It’s the Met Gala 2023 and *deep breath* we’re already buzzing. Because when it comes to OTT glamour, the evening is pretty much unmatched. In the past the gala, aka the Met Ball, has given us Lady Gaga’s bonkers XXL gold spiky lashes, Zendaya’s adorable Cinderella moment (complete with blue alice band and light-up dress) and Kim Kardashian’s infamous Marilyn Monroe tribute (which called for a 14 hour hair bleaching sesh the night before, yikes).
The ball is held annually at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to raise money for The Costume Institute’s exhibitions, which are showcased there each spring to celebrate fashion through the ages. So naturally, the event’s high profile guests want to make sure they show up and make a memorable impression, which means putting their best beauty foot forward with next-level hair and makeup.
This year’s theme is “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” in honour of the late designer who headed up some of the world’s most prestigious fashion houses including Chanel, Balmain, Chloé and Fendi. We expect to see the brand’s he led represented, but also, subjects that were close to his heart, like his white, fluffy Birman cat, Choupette (who has her own brand deals, her own iPad and her own agent).
Leading the charge, Lady Gaga paid homage to the late designer with a pair of dark sunglasses (a trademark of Lagerfeld) and a statement Chanel headband, complete with the brand’s signature Camelia. She also skipped a classic mani in favour of black gloves complete with bright red falsies. Also upping her nail game, Rita Ora took nail jewellery to the next level with Chanel logo-embellished nail necklaces. And model, Anok Yai also replicated Lagerfeld’s sunnies with a gauzy pair draped across her eyes which she paired with a blunt micro fringe and seriously fresh-looking skin.