On The First Monday of May: We Pay Tribute to The Kaiser

As it is known, every first Monday of May, fashion’s A-listers, celebrities, and VIPs gather in New York for fashion’s biggest night: the Met Gala. Taking place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute and presided over by none other than Ms. Anna Wintour herself, the event is filled with glamour, bold and creative statements, and, of course, a lot of fashion.

This year’s theme for the Met Gala is “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” which will honor the life, work, and legacy of one of fashion’s most iconic figures, four years after his passing. The announcement was made in September 2022 by Anna Wintour, Andrew Bolton, and Wendy Yu in Paris, at the 7L bookshop created by Karl Lagerfeld.

Wintour has chosen as co-hosts for the evening actress Michaela Coel, tennis player Roger Federer, singer Dua Lipa, and actress Penélope Cruz, who was a long-time muse, personal friend of the designer and was often seen at the front row of Chanel’s shows. According to some sources, Choupette, the iconic white Burmese feline who belonged to Karl, and to whom The Kaiser left all his fortune after his passing, will also be making an appearance on the Met Gala red carpet as a special guest.

The Met Gala, more than a star-studded fashion evening, is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City. The event marks the opening of the year’s new exhibit and expects to raise funds with tickets going from $35,000 per person. In 2014, The Metropolitan Museum of Art was renamed the Anna Wintour Costume Center thanks to Wintour’s constant efforts to support the Institute, helping raise about $125 million over 15 years.

Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty

The exhibition, curated by Andrew Bolton, will examine the work of Karl Lagerfeld from the period of 1933 to 2019. With his sketches as a focal point, more than 150 pieces from Lagerfeld’s decades-long career will be presented as living legends of his contributions to Parisian fashion and the industry as a whole.

As one of the most influential figures in the fashion industry, and known for his iconic personal style, wit, and prolific creativity, visitors will be able to appreciate Lagerfeld’s prominent work at fashion labels such as Balmain, Chloé, Fendi, Chanel, and his eponymous brand throughout the exhibit.

The exposition is expected to feature a rich selection of archival silhouettes, aesthetics, and fabrics, including hues of black and white, golden chains, and a lot of tweed. Visitors can also take a journey through the designer’s iconic uniform, consisting of a black suit, white shirt, black leather gloves, and glasses. The presentation is set to showcase one-of-a-kind pieces that defined 20th-century fashion history, including some of the most memorable moments at Chanel, where he served as creative director for over 30 years, making it one of the most successful and iconic luxury brands in the world.

Karl Lagerfeld’s celebrations kicked off early this month with the release of the May issue of Vogue US dedicated to his work. In the pages of the magazine, ten designers celebrated his legacy and gave their take on his visionary style. Pierpaolo Piccioli, Thom Browne, Donatella Versace, Jun Takahashi, Christopher John Rogers, John Galliano, Olivier Rousteing, Chitose Abe, Gucci, and Simone Rocha pay tribute to the Kaiser with testimonies about the designer and his way to see the industry. The Feature, photographed by Annie Leibovitz, also includes a cover with some of Lagerfeld’s muses such as Naomi Campbell, Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Devon Aoki, Amber Valletta, Natalia Vodianova, Adut Akech, Liu Wen, Shalom Harlow and Anok Yai.

Image Credits: www.karl.com