Taika Waititi and Rita Ora have rocked the Met Gala's not-so-red carpet as luminaries and industry leaders alike celebrate the life and work of Karl Lagerfeld.
The theme of this year's annual fundraising shindig is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, with the corresponding dress code being "in honour of Karl". The late German fashion designer served as Chanel's long-time creative director with stints at Fendi, Balmain and Chloé, while also founding his own namesake label. He died aged 85 in February 2019.
On Monday evening (local time), the New Zealand film director and British singer, who tied the knot last year, paid tribute to the designer with their black-and-white complementing ensembles. Sartorial touchpoints to Lagerfeld's legacy included Waititi's string of pearls, sharp collar and blazer-style overcoat, while Ora stacked her wrists with several pearl cuffs and glittering Buccellati jewellery, and bedazzled each nail with a long chain: seemingly a reference to Lagerfeld's penchant for silver necklaces and tie pins.
Ora is already being hailed as one of the best-dressed of the night, stealing the show before it even started with her barely-there Prabal Gurung black gown. As stars made their entrance, Ora's dramatic sheer train dominated the steps of the Met, ensuring all eyes were firmly on her and her husband.
Waititi looked suave in a floor-length gunmetal silver blazer with black lapels, teamed with white trousers, patent black shoes and several necklaces. He also accessorised with a black corsage that set off the floral appliqué detailing on Ora's dress, tying in their two looks nicely without serving couple-costuming.
Referred to as 'fashion's biggest night out', the who's who of the red-carpeted world - from young creatives to celebrities and industry heavyweights - congregate at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for the annual fundraising benefit. Each year the Met Gala celebrates the specific theme of the Costume Institute's annual exhibition, which also sets the dress code for the event.
For 2023, the theme of the exhibition is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, to celebrate the work, legacy and life of the iconic designer. More than 150 pieces, as well as Lagerfeld's own sketches, will be on display at the exhibition, which attracts many thousands of visitors to the Met each year.
