Met Gala celebrates late ‘couture king’ Karl Lagerfeld

The fashion soiree of the year is upon us, as A-list celebrities prepare to pay tribute to the late king of couture, Karl Lagerfeld, at the annual Met Gala. The red carpet event, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, draws hundreds of stars, raising millions of dollars each year for charity and setting social media alight with iconic looks.

The guest list is a carefully curated amalgamation of elite personalities from the realms of fashion, film, politics, and sports, as well as a growing number of online influencers, all handpicked by Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour. Since she took charge of the prestigious charity gala in the 1990s, Wintour transformed it into one of the world’s most talked-about events.

Fans congregated early outside the museum in anticipation, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite celebrities on Fifth Avenue. Joseph Pogoda, an 18 years old university student, said he arrived at around 8am or 9 am, excited to see the stars, including Lil Nas X. The event, which typically takes place on the first Monday in May, commemorates Lagerfeld this year and marks the opening of a Costume Institute exhibition dedicated to the celebrated designer, who passed away in 2019.

The exhibition, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” pays tribute to his decades-long career leading Chanel, Fendi, Chloe and his own line, all while shaping the future of fashion. Guests attending are expected to dress accordingly, likely by showcasing vintage silhouettes from the renowned German-born designer, famous for his sleek black suits, white-powdered ponytail, and dark glasses.

Lagerfeld did not live without controversy, as he publicly criticised curvy women, despite grappling with his own weight issues. Later in life, he disparaged the #MeToo movement and those who shared their experiences of sexual misconduct. Curator Andrew Bolton clarified that the exhibition focuses on Lagerfeld’s design work, omitting any inclusion of his controversial or offensive remarks.

The evening is set to celebrate the immense talent and beloved friendships of Lagerfeld. Wintour, a close friend of Lagerfeld for decades, is anticipated to make an appearance in Chanel attire, as per tradition. Former French First Lady and ex-model, Carla Bruni, praised her dear friend Lagerfeld for his “immense talent,” “creative power,” “bewitching charm,” and, most importantly, his “kindness.” Bruni said it was an “honour to be here today to celebrate the extraordinary career” of Lagerfeld.

Actors Penelope Cruz and Michaela Coel, retired tennis icon Roger Federer, and pop sensation Dua Lipa have been invited by the high priestess of fashion to co-chair this year’s gala. Although the guest list remains a closely guarded secret until the event, around 400 people are reportedly expected to attend.

Despite the exclusivity of the event, with each table costing from US$300,000 and single tickets priced at US$50,000, fans on Fifth Avenue, such as Pogoda, are eager to see the likes of Oscar-nominated actor Austin Butler and Kim Kardashian’s “momager,” Kris Jenner, reports Bangkok Post.