What is the theme of the 2023 Met Gala?

The Met Gala is an historic night in fashion, with each year introducing a new theme for the evening — based on Anna Wintour’s decided theme of that year’s Costume Institute exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum.

This year, the annual Met Gala is based around the theme ‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty’, and will be held on Monday, May 1, 2023.

The fundraiser draws international A-Listers who hold the exclusive, $50 000 invitation. Only about 700 or so people receive the coveted invite.

In memory of Karl Lagerfield

The theme of the 2023 Met Gala is in honor of late fashion designer, German-born Karl Lagerfield, who was a devoted patron of the The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute.

Lagerfield was a frontrunner in the fashion industry and still making an impact today, who died at the age of 85 in 2019. The legendary designer has helped lead major fashion houses like Fendi, Chanel  Chloé, Jean Patou, and Pierre Balmain, in their rise to global success as creative director, and had his own label, Karl Lagerfield.

How will the Met Gala honor Lagerfield?

The 2023 theme is a celebration of the designer’s life’s work, as not only will there be an exhibition in his name, but the attendees, many of whom knew the designer, will wear costumes that reflect his designs and creativity.

Andrew Bolton, the Met’s chief curator, explained the artist’s legacy will be portrayed in a very unique way.

“At its heart the exhibition will look at the evolution of Karl’s two dimensional drawings into three dimensional garments,” Bolton said. “We could not do a traditional retrospective. For one thing, I think Karl would have hated that.”

“Even though one of his facets was that he was a historicist, and he would revisit themes in his work, he was always looking to the future in his own work — he hated looking back at the past,” the curator continued. “It was something he had a very conflicted relationship with.”

How will the celebrities tribute Lagerfield?

Audiences know that Lagerfield’s designs will be reflected in the Met Gala guests’ attire, but there is much speculation as to how celebrities will interpret the theme of the 2023 benefit ball.

Some may have a literal interpretation and wear his designs, while others may get creative and showcase a nod to the director in a less obvious way.