Magic, mood, and major moments were the true themes of the 2023 Met Gala

The theme of the 2023 Met Gala may be a tribute to Karl Lagerfeld, but as always, the magic of fashion is the true star — as is Serena Williams' big news!

Chanel. Balmain. Chloé. Patou. H&M. OK, one of these brands may not be like the others, but they all have one designer in common: Karl Lagerfeld. However one may feel about the late designer’s well-publicized and often problematic persona, his influence on fashion is undeniable, prompting his former colleagues and organizers of the 2023 Met Gala to craft this year’s theme and museum exhibition “In Honor of Karl.”

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(Left to right) Gabrielle Union, Dwyane Wade, and Michaela Coel attend The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Taking place on its traditional “first Monday in May,” the annual question of who might attend was compounded this year by its controversial honoree. During his decades in fashion, Lagerfeld was a frequent fixture at the gala — a presence few dared to challenge in his lifetime. As his legacy has been reexamined upon his passing, a familiar question once again arose: “Can you separate the artist from the art?” For those who chose to attend fashion’s biggest night, the answer is clearly “yes.”

“Fashion does not belong in a museum,” Lagerfeld once quipped. Still, as celebrities, supermodels, and socialites donned an array of finery created and inspired by the designer to ascend the steps of New York City’s famed Met Museum, the artistry of fashion truly took center stage.

Honoring the art of couture, co-chair Michaela Coel dazzled in a sheer gown by Schiaparelli, which reportedly took over 3800 hours to create and was adorned with 130,000 crystals. Crowning the golden look with cornrows (a trend of the night) and wearing custom-molded gold heels upon her feet, Coel’s star-studded look exemplified the magic of making fashion your own.

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Michaela Coel attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Elsewhere on the carpet, Lagerfeld’s aesthetic — black, white, and the palest pastels — was in heavy rotation, executed by an incredible variety of designers who drew inspiration from one of the most formidable forces in fashion. As a result, this year’s Met Gala carpet seemed lighter and more ethereal than years past, a nostalgic reverie of stars, supermodels, and style as archival pieces from Lagerfeld’s reign stood alongside new confections from his successors.

Of course, there were also a few surprises: Rihanna, who teased the gala in a Chanel ensemble over the weekend, did not give us her take on maternity gala glam on this year’s red carpet. Instead, Serena Williams made the most headline-making debut this year, appearing on the red carpet in Gucci with her husband, Alexis Ohanian — and a new addition on board!

“Was so excited when Anna Wintour invited the 3 of us to the Met Gala,” Williams, a former event co-chair, wrote in an Instagram post ahead of the event, formally announcing her second pregnancy.

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Serena Williams attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

Perennial provocateur Doja Cat took the theme (and her moniker) quite literally, dressing up like a couture version of Lagerfeld’s beloved white cat, Choupette, in a custom hooded gown by custom Oscar de la Renta, complete with ears and facial prosthetics. And while “The Little Mermaid” live-action film has yet to hit our screens, star Halle Bailey abandoned her flowing red locs for her Gucci-designed Met Gala look, no doubt stunning fans with a softly curled, face-framing bob. And Janelle Monáe delivered on her promise of an “experience” at this year’s gala, shedding an exaggerated, Chanel-inspired tweed coat by Thom Browne to reveal a structured sheer dress beneath.

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Doja Cat, left, and Halle Bailey attend The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023, in New York City. (Photos: Getty Images)

Brian Tyree Henry, wearing Lagerfeld’s eponymous label, seemed to give a sartorial nod to one of the designer’s longtime compatriots, the equally iconic André Leon Talley, wearing a voluminous, tiered black lace cape (shout out to Diddy for also reviving his caped Met Gala persona — and Sean John). Lil Nas X took the opposite approach, coating himself in silver glitter, pearls, and little else, completing the look with a pearl-embellished thong, platform booties, and an ornate bedazzled mask, reportedly by Dior Homme.

Brian Tyree Henry, left, and Lil Nas X attend The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023, in New York City. (Photos: Getty Images)

Alton Mason further demonstrated the transformative power of fashion in a Lagerfeld-worthy bridal look, wearing a cathedral-length veil over an embellished white bolero, corseted waist, lace stockings, and ruched white boots. But Jeremy Pope outdid all other tributes to the late designer, wearing a caped train by Balmain emblazoned with Lagerfeld’s visage alongside Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing, whose quilted bag evoked a tote Lagerfeld once carried, reading, “Karl Who?”

Jeremy Pope attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

How many other ways did Black glamour and ingenuity show up on the steps of the Met? See for yourself in theGrio’s 2023 Met Gala gallery below.

Michaela Coel in custom Schiaparelli

Michaela Coel attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Alexis Ohanian and Serena Williams in Gucci

Alexis Ohanian and Serena Williams attend The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Naomi Campbell in Chanel Couture

Naomi Campbell attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Quinta Brunson in Prabal Gurung

Quinta Brunson attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade in custom Prada

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade attend The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Keke Palmer in custom Sergio Hudson

Keke Palmer attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Ariana DeBose in Altuzarra

Ariana DeBose attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld)

Ariana DeBose in Altuzarra

Ariana DeBose attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld)

Halle Bailey in Gucci

Halle Bailey attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Doja Cat in custom Oscar de la Renta

Doja Cat attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

Doja Cat in custom Oscar de la Renta

Doja Cat attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Janelle Monáe in Thom Browne

Janelle Monáe attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Janelle Monáe in Thom Browne

Janelle Monáe attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

Julius Tennon and Viola Davis in custom Valentino

Julius Tennon and Viola Davis attend The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Kerry Washington in custom Michael Kors

Kerry Washington attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Lizzo in vintage Chanel

Lizzo attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Sean 'Diddy' Combs in Sean John

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Brittney Griner and Cherelle Griner in custom Calvin Klein

Brittney Griner and Cherelle Griner attend The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Letitia Wright in Prada

Letitia Wright attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Yara Shahidi in Jean Paul Gaultier

Yara Shahidi attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Ice Spice in Balmain

Ice Spice attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Erika Woods and Wendell Pierce

Erika Woods and Wendell Pierce attend The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Pusha T in Thom Browne

Pusha T attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Lil Nas X

Lil Nas X attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" – Arrivals
Cardi B in Chenpeng Studio

Cardi B attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Mary J. Blige in custom Burberry

Mary J. Blige attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Anok Yai in Prabal Gurung

Anok Yai attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

Anok Yai in Prabal Gurung

Anok Yai attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

Edward Enninful

Edward Enninful attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Jeremy Pope and Olivier Rousteing in custom Balmain

Jeremy Pope, left, and Olivier Rousteing attend The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Imaan Hammam

Imaan Hammam attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

Tyler Mitchell

Photographer Tyler Mitchell attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

Bianca Saunders and Usher (in Bianca Saunders)

Bianca Saunders and Usher attend The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

La La Anthony in Sergio Hudson

La La Anthony attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Precious Lee in Fendi

Precious Lee attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

Adut Akech in custom Carolina Herrera

Adut Akech attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

Teyana Taylor in Thom Browne 

Teyana Taylor attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Brian Tyree Henry in Lagerfeld

Brian Tyree Henry attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

FKA twigs in custom Maison Margiela

FKA twigs attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Stefon Diggs

Stefon Diggs attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" – Arrivals

Whitney Peak attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

Dr. Dre

Dr. Dre attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Gabriella Karefa-Johnson

Gabriella Karefa-Johnson attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld)

The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" – Arrivals
Naomi Ackie

Naomi Ackie attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Stormzy

Stormzy attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Joan Smalls

Joan Smalls attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre Elba in Gucci

Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre Elba attend The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Bad Bunny in Jacquemus

Bad Bunny attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Raul Lopez and Paloma Elsesser

Raul Lopez and Paloma Elsesser attend The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Aurora James

Aurora James attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Alton Mason

Alton Mason attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" – Arrivals

Yung Miami attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Tems in custom Robert Wun

Tems attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

Alex Newell

Alex Newell attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

Skepta

Skepta attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Erykah Badu

Erykah Badu attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Michaela Coel in custom Schiaparelli

Michaela Coel attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Updated: Monday, 5/1/23 at 10:50 p.m., ET: We happily stand corrected! The ever-fashionable — and very fashionably late — Rihanna and A$AP Rocky did grace the Met Gala with their presence this year. The bad gal arrived in all white, wearing a hooded cloak covered in faux camellias (a Chanel signature) over a strappy white gown with a dramatic train, reportedly by Valentino. She finished off the look with white fingerless opera gloves and playful sunglasses. A$AP complemented the look in a suit jacket and leather tie over an exaggerated red plaid kilt and jewel-studded jeans, reportedly by Gucci.

A$AP Rock and Rihanna attend The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photos: Getty Images)

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