2023 Met Gala: Date, Theme, Celebrities Attending, More

Celebrities are down to the wire when it comes to planning their outfits for the 2023 Met Gala. Find out what the stars need to aim for style-wise, as well as the date, event co-chairs, guest list and more.

When Is the 2023 Met Gala?

The event will take place on Monday, May 1, 2023, a New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The gala traditionally takes place annually on the first Monday in May. The only time that changed was during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it was moved from May to September in 2021. The event was cancelled altogether in 2020 due to the outbreak.

What Is the Theme of the 2023 Met Gala?

The theme will be “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” in tribute to the late Chanel creative director, who died at age 85 in February 2019 after a secret battle with pancreatic cancer. He was still producing collections for the iconic label up until his death.

“Karl Lagerfeld was a regular attendee at The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, from the Seventh on Sale benefit in 1991 to ‘Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty’ in 2011 — and of course for the Chanel exhibition in 2005,” Vogue announced on September 30, 2022.

“And yet, says the Costume Institute’s Wendy Yu Curator in Charge, Andrew Bolton, said, ‘Karl never tired of telling me that fashion did not belong in a museum. When we worked on the Chanel show together, he was incredibly generous in what he lent, but he was completely disinterested in the exhibition itself! He would say, ‘Fashion is not art — fashion belongs on the street, on women’s bodies, on men’s bodies,’” the article continued.

The dress code for attendees is “in honor of Karl.”

Who Are the 2023 Met Gala Co-Chairs?

Michaela Coel, Penélope Cruz, Roger Federer, Dua Lipa and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour were named as this year’s co-chairs.

Blake Lively Met Gala — Charles Sykes/Shutterstock

How to Watch the 2023 Met Gala?

While the inside of the event is for attendees only, fans of the Met Gala are able to keep up with the red carpet thanks to Vogue. The fashion magazine will have one main livestream on the night of the event with various hosts, including La La Anthony, Derek Blasberg and Chloe Fineman. YouTube sensation Emma Chamberlain is also set to return as a special correspondent, and will chat with fans after they walk to the top of those iconic Met steps.

Which Celebrities Have Worn Karl Lagerfeld Designs to the Met Gala?

Blake Lively wore a stunning Grecian-inspired gown to the gala in 2011 when she attended alongside Karl. Kristen Stewart chose a stylish long sleeved black gown by Chanel in 2016, then went with a pink and white pantsuit in 2021. Model-turned-actress Cara Delevingne wowed in a futuristic silver Chanel pantsuit in 2017, and Penélope looked beautiful albeit a little off theme in a gorgeous black and white Chanel gown in 2019 for “Camp: Notes on Fashion.” Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour has worn Chanel dresses to numerous Met Galas over the years.

Who Is Attending the 2023 Met Gala?

The highly scrutinized guest list is handpicked by Anna, so time will tell who she decides is worthy of paying a fashion tribute to Karl and which celebrities are hot when the spring of 2023 rolls around. Some stars have already confirmed their attendance, with Elle Fanning telling Variety, “I am truly going on theme. I have a good story behind the look that is special to me. I’m excited.” Florence Pugh will be attending her first Met Gala as the guest of Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli, telling The New York Times that her dress is going to be “big.” “But we like big, don’t we?” she said, teasing what will surely be a jaw-dropping look. Priyanka Chopra-Jonas confirmed she’s going to the event, telling a reporter at the Citadel premiere that her outfit will be “on theme.”