In case you missed it, this year’s Costume Institute exhibition is dedicated to the legacy of one of fashion’s most dynamic and prolific masterminds, Karl Lagerfeld. -esque ponytail) has become a thing of legend.
In “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” Andrew Bolton, Curator of the Costume Institute’s Wendy You, and Amanda Harlech, a longtime Lagerfeld collaborator and creative consultant for the exhibition, explore the designer’s career at about 150. I put it together in the look of. But thankfully, at this year’s Met His Gala, it’s not just the curator’s job to pay tribute to Mr. Lagerfeld, as his 2023 dress code is “In Honor of Karl.”
A moment where all esteemed guests pay tribute to one of fashion’s greats. Lagerfeld is Balmain, Patou, Chloe, Fendi, Chanel, When His eponymous brand – there’s a rich heap of materials, eras and aesthetics to draw inspiration from. It leaves attendees with three choices, including Cruz, Roger Federer, and Dua Lipa. The first and most authentic approach is to wear an archival look from one of his Lagerfeld-led labels. The second is sporting a modern Chanel or Fendi that Lagerfeld left an indelible impression on. And his third, perhaps most obvious: Find your own Choupette and dress up like Lagerfeld.
What route would you take to put your glamorous attendees on the best-dressed list? Look original! I think Lagerfeld hated half-baked homages. And with such a vast array of works, guests shouldn’t have trouble unearthing a unique piece.
A young Karl Lagerfeld as Jean Patou’s head designer. July 21, 1958.Photo: Getty Images
Lagerfeld at the Chloe Atelier in Paris. February 12, 1977.Photo: Getty Images
For those taking the vintage route, pay tribute to the guests who visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art wearing Archive Balmain frocks from 1955-1958 (when Lagerfeld was Pierre Balmain’s assistant). Guests could also take a look at Patu’s work produced between 1958 and his 1963. Lagerfeld served as head of his designer, ushering in an era that rocked the label in the 1960s. And, of course, guests are drawn from his two eras of Chloe. Lagerfeld headed the Paris brand from 1963 until he was 1983, and from 1992 until he was 1997, effectively creating the truly romantic Chloé His Girl.
Don’t forget Fendi. From 1965 onwards, Lagerfeld headed his team designing a brand dressed from Roman furs. He came up with the double F logo and monogram design, but it stood for “Fun Fur” instead of “Fendi-Fendi”. And oh how fun they had! Lagerfeld dipped the mink in Technicolor dye, patchworked it like a quilt, and shaved it for added texture. All in all, it pushed the boundaries of what was possible with fur before the brand began phasing it out.Vintage Fendi He Red He Carpet Ensemble Most of the ensembles at this year’s Met He Gala It will make you feel at home.
