The Best, The Worst & The Bizarre… MET GALA 2023

Oh my gosh, darlings, the Met Gala 2023 red carpet kept me on the edge of my seat. It was quirky, gorgeous, and an absolute hoot and a half!

I've seen some fashion wonders and faux pas in my day, but this year's attendees really brought the best, the worst, and the bizarre like never before.

So, the Gala extravaganza has come to a close, but the buzz is only getting louder. A bunch of stars like Dua Lipa, Penélope Cruz, Phoebe Bridgers, Emma Chamberlain, Kate Moss, Rita Ora, Doja Cat, Pedro Pascal, Kim Kardashian, and more had heads turning with their unique ensembles, but half way through my popcorn, I was still wondering, "Where are all the biggies? No Harry Styles, Gaga, Zendaya, Blake Lively, Sara Jessica Parker, or Billy Porter, but then Rihanna graced her presence fashionably late to save the day!

Now that Rihanna was there, it was a little tolerable to look at the other ones—I mean, the sloppy ones! This year, we won’t end up on the worst dress lists ones! 

Before I begin my annual dissection of the Met, let’s talk a little about this year's theme. It was an ode to the legendary fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld, who was renowned for his innovative work across the industry, especially his stint at Chanel. But, like every Met Gala theme, this one too isn't immune to controversy (surprise, surprise!). While Lagerfeld was known for his sharp tongue and unfiltered opinions, which often landed him in hot water, he was also a hardcore feline enthusiast and doted on his precious pet Choupette. However, the late designer's fatphobic (he called Adele "a little too fat," I mean, can you believe that?), anti-immigrant remarks, and dismissive attitude towards the "Me Too" campaign and sexual assault survivors have understandably ruffled a few feathers. But that doesn’t stop us from celebrating his outstanding contribution to the fashion world.

So here we are! The biggest theme — outside of the pearls — was the trains! 

With a napkin on your lap and a fork and knife in your hands, it’s time to dig in for some juicy reviews.

 

The Best

1. Rihanna in Valentino

The moment she stepped on the carpet, a reporter shouted, "Who are you wearing tonight?" It’s Valentino Baby," and the next question is, "How are you feeling tonight?" Good, good, expensive." Indeed, Rihanna looked a million bucks in a showstopping Valentino silk-faille dress (with a five-metre train) and cape that included 30 camellias composed of 500 petals.
The use of camellias in the outfit was on-theme, as it is a longstanding signature of Chanel's designs, dating back to 1913, when Gabrielle Chanel herself pinned one to her belt. Rihanna's iconic appearance at the Met Gala continues to make an impact even after the event has ended.

2. Anne Hathaway in Atelier Versace

Are you wearing th..the Chanel boots? Yea, I am, and that’s all!

What an iconic number she was wearing! From the silhouette to the floral bust and the detailing, Hathaway looked like a walking masterpiece. Anne chose Atelier Versace, and it was a chic, retro perfection. A smart hybrid of the iconic Versace safety pin dress and the signature Chanel tweed, can you ever go wrong?

 

3. Cardie B in Chenpeng Studio

How to be in sync with the theme? It’s the rap Queen Cardie B explaining it to us. If there was ever a female version of Karl Lagerfeld, it’s Cardie B in Chenpeng Studio’s black structured gown. To complete the look, she wore a silver wig and a chunky black headband with matching gloves. She spoke of her outfit on the Vogue carpet livestream. "The texture of this skirt is giving like a Chanel boy bag, and then it got the flowers, the camellia flower." She continued, "You know, when you get a Chanel purse, it always has the white flower. But you know this one is black." I am sure Lagerfeld showered some heavenly blessings on her from above.

 

4. Bad Bunny in Jacquemus

So, Bad Bunny has no bad fashion sense at all! Rather, I should call him Bad Ass Bunny for going backless! For the occasion, Bad Bunny wore a backless Jacquemus number. It was the perfect amalgamation of overwhelmingly romantic feminine and masculine elements. I call it my dream wedding day outfit, and I am swooning.

5. Michaela Coel in Schiaparelli

Wakanda Forever! Michaela! The goddess descended the red carpet wearing a Schiaparelli creation embellished with 130,000 crystals. A dress that can start a new religion!

 

6. Gisele Bündchen in Chanel Haute Couture

Gisele is a supermodel for a reason! Her perfect post-divorce revenge look is killing it! Although the Chanel number was minimalistic, Gisele made it Met Gala-worthy with her attitude! The Ostrich feather cape was angelic yet sexy!

 

7. Kim Kardashian in Schiaparelli

Dripping in pearls, Kim Kardashian was an irresistible vision! Kim looked ethereal in Schiaparelli. ( Thank God! She didn’t steal another one of Monroe’s dresses this year). Her dress included 50,000 pearls and 16,000 crystals and took more than 1,000 hours to complete. Talk about commitment!

 

8. Florence Pugh in Valentino

Infectious, dramatic, and showstopping! "Don’t worry, darling." Florence Pugh didn’t disappoint us! Her showgirl fantasy cosplay Valentino creation was a perfection! The headpiece and the never-ending train were the highlights of the outfit.

9. Jennifer Lopez in Ralph Lauren

She came to slay and take things up a notch! Jennifer stunned the Met Gala carpet wearing a Ralph Lauren old-world glamour creation. The highlights of her dress? That gorgeous hat! To honour the evening’s theme, Lopez wore cat eyes and a polished tie-back.

The Worst

 

1. Rita Ora in Prabal Gurung

The wicked witch of the West is on the loose! Rita Ora was the perfect example of bad taste, wearing Prabal Gurung! And Rita? What’s up with the string of pearl manicure? I wonder how you ate your dinner.

 

2. Taika Waititi

Rita Ora’s husband took the wedding vows very seriously, "for better or for worse." So, he chose to be on all the worst-dressed lists possible." He was wearing his mom’s night gown with pearls for dress-up! Atrocious and deeply unserious!

 

3. Kendall Jenner in Marc Jacobs

Look, we have a glittering bat on loose in the Met Gala! I don’t know where to begin! Her long floor-length sleeves were the most unflattering part of the Marc Jacob outfit. Her boots were an added distraction!

 

4. Lizzo in Chanel

I guess Lizzo heard the theme was ‘unflattering pearls," and she played the part quite well! Her Chanel outfit was covered with peals in a row. A dress designed by a three-year-old girl for her school project! I am sure Karl is crying somewhere!

 

5. Priyanka Chopra Jonas in Valentino

Priyanka played safe this year! Not a Met Gala outfit at all! I think she heard she was going to the Oscars! It took me a while to decode her outfit, and guess what? I am still decoding it.

 

The Bizarre: The Choupette Gang!

 

1. Doja Cat in Oscar de la Renta's Choupette

It took me a while to recognise Doja Cat! But then her name is Doja Cat, and she was doing justice to her name if not the theme of the event! Karl loved her cat, but this feline is not a pet he would have liked to keep. Her facial prosthetics were distracting, and her dress was mediocre.

 

2. Lil Nas X in Dior Homme as Choupette

I don’t know how Karl would have reacted to it! The look is bizarre! Lil Nas X thought he was going to a masquerade ball! The mask looked scary and unflattering.

3. Jared Leto in Joshua Balster as Choupette.

A gargantuan cat costume with whiskers, plush paws, and hyper-real blue eyes, which had Jared Leto inside it! It was bizarre, cute, and overshadowed acres of pearl-encrusted gowns at the Met’s annual fundraiser. Love it! Hate it! But you can’t ignore it!

Some of the Best Dressed honourable mentions are: 

Karlie Kloss in custom Loewe, Olivia Wilde in Chloé, Kristen Stewart in Chanel, Amanda Seyfried in Oscar de la Renta, and Kerry Washington in Michael Kors.

See you next year MET GALA…..!