16 celebrities who nailed the Met Gala's Karl Lagerfeld theme

For the 2023 Met Gala, the Costume Institute chose to honor the designer with the theme "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty." The dress code was simple: Looks had to be "in honor of Karl."

Lagerfeld was the head of design at Chanel for 36 years. He also served as creative director at Fendi and Chloé, which he completely revitalized, and even started his own eponymous brand. However, he was also a controversial figure who made outlandish comments, including ones deemed fatphobic, Insider's Samantha Grindell previously reported.

Many of the red-carpet looks at the 2023 Met Gala reflected his signature style in shades of white, black, and pink, plus the pearls and floral appliqués he frequently incorporated into his feminine designs. Menswear looks inspired by Lagerfeld's own personal style also showed up on the red carpet.

Her black gown featured sheer plastic panels on the corset-style bodice and an asymmetrical shoulder.

The tea-length dress had a deep V-neck and cap sleeves, giving it a romantic feel.

Waterhouse told Vogue correspondent Emma Chamberlain that the dress was from one of Lagerfeld's last collections before he passed away in 2019.

The gown was previously worn by Claudia Schiffer, one of Lagerfeld's muses, in 1992.

The Balmain designer accessorized his look with a tongue-in-cheek quilted bag with the phrase "Karl Who?" written on it, in a nod to Lagerfeld, the night's posthumous guest of honor.

Her Chanel ensemble featured a dramatic train, made only more dramatic by black leg warmers.

The bodice of her tuxedo-style dress was embroidered with the letters "KL" to pay homage to Karl Lagerfeld.

She wore a giant, feathered cape that featured a long train over the dress, which she told Vogue she wore in 2007 at a photo shoot at Lagerfeld's house.

"I just love the memories with him and the times [we spent] together. He was a gentleman and a wonderful man, always so kind. I'm happy to be here to honor him," Bündchen told Vogue.

She paired the white minidress, which featured a signature Chanel camellia embellishment at the waist, with a pair of black tights and black elbow-length gloves.

The designer paired it with a coordinating jacket, which had a lime-green lining.

The top of the dress looked like a shirt with a tie and a fitted bustier covered in crystals. The heavy, ball gown-style skirt was adorned with oversized black rosettes, which the rapper said was an homage to Lagerfeld's iconic designs.

"I'm representing the house of Chanel and Karl at the same time," Cardi told Vogue.

The ensemble consisted of a white, lace bodysuit; fishnet tights adorned with floral appliqué; white, lacy boots; and a statement veil.

The gown featured a strapless, fitted black bodice with feathers that sprouted out from the neckline, while the white low-waisted skirt folded down around her hips like the collar of a shirt.

The bodice of the dress resembled a double-breasted suit, complete with a white collared shirt and black tie, but had daring cutouts on the hips.

Taylor accessorized the look with a pair of black sunglasses, which Lagerfeld often wore to fashion shows and in his everyday life.

The Tamara Ralph Couture dress' quilted bodice was adorned with a signature Chanel camellia embellishment made iconic under Karl Lagerfeld's artistic direction. She accessorized with black, leather-and-mesh gloves and diamond jewelry.

Palmer told Vogue that the look was inspired by singer Josephine Baker "in her glory days," as well as the classic Chanel tweed looks made iconic in the '90s.

She accessorized with a pale-blue cape that draped off her shoulders and trailed behind her.

Jared Leto, Doja Cat, and Lil Nas X all appeared to be inspired by the famous feline, creating some of the most memorable ensembles of the night.

Leto shocked celebrity guests by arriving in a giant fur cat costume before revealing his true identity. Doja Cat and Lil Nas X also got into character by making cat noises during their red-carpet interviews.