This year’s Met Gala – always on the first Monday in May, except during a pandemic – was met with both cheers and jeers due to its controversial topic. The theme for the 2023 Met Gala was “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” and all participants were encouraged to wear looks inspired by the famed designer who passed away in 2019.
Right on cue, multiple designs from the event referenced KL’s distinctive personal look – ropes and ropes of pearls, crisp white and ebony black, starched collars, gloves and cats… lots and lots of cats.
Rumor has it that KL left a huge chunk of his fortune to his beloved feline, Choupette. Here’s an article about how some of the Met Gala guests paid tribute to Choupette…
Honestly, I wasn’t wowed by this year’s event and there were only a handful of looks that I really liked. This is in addition to something a lot of us in creative communities are doing our best to navigate…
How do you separate the art from the artist, especially when the artist is not that great a human being?
I struggle with celebrating someone who was a sexist, racist, fat-shaming narcissist who openly criticized the #MeToo movement despite being a major player in an industry known for its contributions to body dysmorphic disorders, sexual harassment, eating disorders, racism and classism.
Besides, I don’t really like any of his “classic” signature looks, but that’s just me.
Regardless, here are some images of the designs that I liked from this year’s Met Gala…
If you would like more information on who Karl Lagerfeld was as a person, please check out the links below…
https://www.today.com/popculture/met-gala-2023-theme-karl-lagerfeld-controversy-explained-rcna82329
https://time.com/6275632/why-the-met-galas-karl-lagerfeld-theme-is-controversial/
The Wandering Art Historian 
Adrienne, Once again your description of “art for fashion” Lagerfeld + other designers is accurate = your quote follows!industry known for its contributions to body dysmorphic disorders, sexual harassment, eating disorders, racism and classism.
Celebrate female fashion w/Edith Head designs for Elizabeth Taylor and Doris Day….Bob Macki celebrated female fashions Cher & Carol Burnett. People not buying and not watching will stop negative trends, hopeful!
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I think you’re right – the only way to combat the negative is to draw more attention to the positive. I love the work of Christian Siriano because he dresses ALL bodies & his work is insanely fabulous!
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I struggle w. the same thing; NPR’s book reviewer (Maureen Corrigan?) today reviewed a book called “Monsters” re struggling with an artist’s creation vs. their awful behavior, from a fan’s point of view… You’re on top of things!
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YES! This book is definitely on my to-be-read list. It’s such a complex yet nuanced situation. Thank you for your comment! 🙂
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