Met Gala 2023 - live: Karl Lagerfeld theme blamed for ‘boring’ best dressed list as cockroach steals show

Rihanna arrived fashionably late, preceded by a cockroach that nearly stole the show

Met Gala: Stars walk the red carpet

The 2023 Met Gala has come to a close.

This year’s theme was “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”, which aimed to “examine the life” of the late designer’s fashion legacy.

But while many celebrities showed off their best Lagerfeld-inspired looks, viewers have branded fashion’s biggest night as “boring” due to the black-and-white ensembles that ruled the evening.

However, an unexpected guest went viral for its red carpet appearance. A cockroach was spotted on the red carpet and photographed before being “stepped on”, leading to viewers mourning its death.

The decision to feature the German designer so prominently has also attracted criticism given his history of controversial remarks.

Models protested ahead of the event, with Jameela Jamil among those who condemned the choice. Concerns were also raised about his past fatphobic and body-shaming comments.

In line with the theme, guests were informed that the “most authentic approach” for the Met Gala 2023 dress code would be “to wear an archival look from one of the labels Lagerfeld led”.

Kim Kardashian, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Campbell, and Jennifer Lopez all walked the red carpet in line with the theme, while some stars took more creative liberties in their Met Gala looks. Doja Cat and Jared Leto, for example, arrived dressed as Lagerfeld’s beloved cat, Choupette.

Met Gala 2023 key points

• Met Gala livestream ends abruptly
• The best dressed stars of 2023
• Rihanna arrives fashionably late
• The Met Gala theme and why it’s so controversial
• A cockroach on the red carpet turned out to be a Met Gala highlight

[1 May 2023 23:00 · Meredith Clark]

Who is attending the 2023 Met Gala?

Many celebrities and fashion influencers are expected to walk the star-studded red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday.

Along with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who carefully presides over each Met Gala guest list, this year’s co-chairs are singer Dua Lipa, actor Michaela Coel, actor Penélope Cruz, and tennis star Roger Federer.

Kim Kardashian has confirmed her attendance at the Met Gala, despite initial reports the Kardashian-Jenner family didn’t score an invite.

Sadly, Blake Lively revealed to the disappointment of fans that she will not be attending the annual fashion event. However, the actor promised she wouldn’t be missing out on the festivities completely, as she said she would be “watching”.

Find out which celebrities are skipping the 2023 Met Gala here.

[1 May 2023 23:15 · Meredith Clark]

The best dressed stars on the 2023 Met Gala red carpet

The annual fashion event has been known to churn out some memorable looks, and this year is no different.

With the theme of tonight’s Met Gala being “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”, guests have been asked to wear clothing that will “examine the life” of the late designer’s legacy.

This may include items designed by Lagerfeld-led brands, such as Patou, Chloé, Fendi, or Chanel.

Amber Raiken has the full Met Gala 2023 best dressed list.

[1 May 2023 23:20 · Meredith Clark]

Watch The Independent’s livestream as celebrities leave The Mark Hotel in New York City for the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Live: Celebrities depart The Mark Hotel to attend the Met Gala

[1 May 2023 23:30 · Meredith Clark]

Who are the co-chairs of this year’s Met Gala?

In January, Vogue announced the co-chairs of the 2023 Met Gala were Dua Lipa, Michaela Coel, Penélope Cruz, and Roger Federer.

Following the announcement, all four of the co-chairs posted about the event on social media. Federer took to his Instagram Story to reshare the Met’s recent video about the occasion and co-chairs.

(Getty Images)

“Anna, thanks for always being there for my family,” the tennis player wrote in the caption. “So many great memories. I can’t wait to share another amazing evening together at the Met Gala.”

Dua Lipa also shared the Met’s video in her own Instagram post while Cruz shared the same video on her Instagram, with a caption that reads: “Karl,” along with a pink heart emoji.

Coel went to Twitter to share an article rewritten by Vogue, which announced her position as co-chair.

[1 May 2023 23:40 · Meredith Clark]

The Vogue red carpet livestream has begun

The red carpet livestream for the 2023 Met Gala is officially underway.

Fans can tune into the Met Gala red carpet livestream on the Vogue website, YouTube channel, or across its social media platforms.

The livestream will be hosted by La La Anthony, Chloe Fineman, and Derek Blasberg. Just like last year’s Met Gala, Emma Chamberlain will be stepping in as Vogue‘s special correspondent of the livestream.

Find out how to watch the 2023 Met Gala red carpet here.

[1 May 2023 23:45 · Meredith Clark]

Models protest controversial Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala theme

Models are protesting the controversial decision to honour Karl Lagerfeld through the theme for the 2023 Met Gala.

On Sunday, some models began protesting the Met Gala theme on the iconic Met Gala steps, one day before the annual gala. Lagerfeld, who died in 2019 at the age of 85, was known to make divisive comments about issues including same-sex marriage, the MeToo Movement, fatphobia, and LGBTQ rights.

“The choice to honour Lagerfeld embodies the dissonance of an industry that claims to be progressive, that celebrates body positivity and survivors on the one hand, and then reveres figures like [Lagerfeld] without even acknowledging their regressive views,” Sara Ziff, the founder of the Model Alliance, told Jezebel.

Chelsea Ritschel has the full report.

[2 May 2023 00:00 · Meredith Clark]

Gisele Bündchen arrives solo at the Met Gala following Tom Brady divorce

Gisele Bündchen has made her solo Met Gala red carpet debut following her divorce from NFL star Tom Brady.

The supermodel wore a white gown with an oversized feathered cape, in honour of this year’s Met Gala theme, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”.

Bündchen’s arrival on the red carpet marks her first solo appearance on the Met steps since 2006, after her divorce from Brady in October 2022.

The couple were a longtime staple at the exclusive fashion extravaganza, where they first appeared together in 2008.

[2 May 2023 00:15 · Meredith Clark]

Newcomer rapper Ice Spice is set to make her Met Gala debut after reportedly receiving an invite to be the special guest of Anna Wintour at the annual event.

The 23-year-old will attending the 2023 Met Gala at the personal request of the Vogue editor-in-chief, according to TMZ. She will reportedly be wearing custom Balmain for the occasion.

Ice Spice appeared to confirm her invite to the Met Gala in a video posted to social media on 30 April. Although most attendees are still only rumoured, she joins the list of celebrities who have already confirmed they will be in attendance, including Kim Kardashian and Florence Pugh.

Read more here.

[2 May 2023 00:30 · Meredith Clark]

Met Gala: Stars walk the red carpet

[2 May 2023 00:45 · Meredith Clark]

Dua Lipa’s Met Gala look sparks comparisons to Ocean’s 8

Dua Lipa has sparked Ocean’s 8 jokes after accessorising her 2023 Met Gala outfit with a never-before-seen Tiffany & Co diamond necklace.

The Met Gala co-chair arrived on the red carpet in a black and white Chanel tweed ballgown in honour of the theme: “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.” For her jewellery, Lipa accessorised the gown with a 100-carat diamond necklace.

Unsurpringly, many fans noted that the 128.54-carat yellow Tiffany diamond resembled the diamond necklace from Ocean’s 8. In the 2018 film, several women plot to steal a Cartier diamond necklace from Daphne Kluger, played by Anne Hathaway, during the Met Gala.

Read some of the comparisons here.