The dress code for this year's Met Gala is 'in honor of Karl.' Here's what that means.

• The "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" Met Gala will take place on Monday, May 1.
• The dress code is "in honor of Karl," so attendees should nod to the designer with their looks.

May is fast approaching, which can only mean one thing: it's Met Gala season.

On Monday, May 1, celebrities will descend on New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art for Anna Wintour's annual fundraising ball.

Each year, the star-studded event has a theme, and for 2023, it's "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," honoring the work of legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, Vogue reported. Dua Lipa, Penélope Cruz, Michaela Coel, and Roger Federer will co-chair the event alongside Wintour.

Vogue also reported the event's dress code is "in honor of Karl," which indicates guests should nod to the late designer with their looks.

It's not uncommon for the event to herald a specific designer or brand, as Alexander McQueen, Schiaparelli and Prada, and Gianni Versace have all been Met Gala themes.

For these Met Galas, attendees have typically worn outfits made by the designer spotlighted, pieces from brands they worked for, or outfits that are in conversation with who they were as a person.

Lagerfeld became a household name working for high-fashion brands like Fendi, Balmain, Chloé, and his self-titled fashion house, though he also collaborated with mass retailers H&M and Macy's.

However, he is best known for his work as the creative director for Chanel, a role he held from 1983 until his death in 2019. Lagerfeld revamped the brand, combining creator Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel's aesthetic with modern flair, according to the Business of Fashion.

The 2005 Met Gala theme was "House of Chanel," so some attendees may even wear ensembles designed by Lagerfeld for that gala to the 2023 event.

Despite his fame, Lagerfeld was also a controversial figure because of outlandish statements he made during his life. He often displayed fatphobic views, once saying, "No one wants to see curvy women on the runway."

He also received backlash for criticizing the German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2017 when she allowed migrants to seek refuge in Germany and for saying he was "less keen" on supporting same-sex couples adopting in 2013, according to the AP.

Some stars may wear outfits that offer a critique of Lagerfeld, though none have indicated they will yet.