2023 in photos: the stars and their fabulous looks at the Met Gala

Instead of a theme, such as 'punk' or 'street', the Met Gala of 2023 (benefitting the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art) focused on a person. It celebrated the deceased designer Karl Lagerfeld in a retrospective of the German fashion designer's work. Let's look back and see what the stars did with this Lagerfeld theme!

The theme was controversial before the Met Gala began. Many disliked Lagerfeld for using his platform to show disdain against women while also belittling any woman who was not a skinny catwalk model size. He even told Focus in 2009 that 'No one wants to see curvy women.'

Some celebrities boycotted the event, and a few took to Twitter to show their disappointment in the theme this year. Despite the controversy, men and women of all body types attended the Met Gala and, as always, gave us some excellent images. Like this one from Jeremy Pope.

Another who certainly stuck to the instructions was actress Lily Collins - using the tail of her caped dress to bring the message home: this red carpet was about Karl Lagerfeld.

The front of the dress is much more impressive and the black and white bold shapes certainly turn heads. Lily also wore black tights - another nod to the fashion designer. Here she stands with the designer of her gown for the evening: Vera Wang, who never fails to disappoint on a red carpet.

Of course we were expecting a lot of back and white this evening. Here the stunning Florence Pugh turned up with creative director of Valentino, Pierpaolo Piccioli who signed her gorgeous gown. But what surprised many was the actress had shaved her head.

During an interview on the red carpet, Pugh shared she shaved her head for an upcoming film. "I thought, what is a better way than to release it at The Met with Pier Paolo," she added. "I've actually had it for about three weeks now."

At the MET gala, it's go big or go home. Janelle Monáe joined in the monochrome style for the evening in a coat covering a hoop skirt. But it was her transformation on the red carpet that shocked most. The 'Glass Onion' star took off the overcoat, leaving just a bikini under the sheer skirt hoop. It was certainly an experience.

Jumping forwards to a bit of colour by icon Glenn Close. The 76 year old wore a sweeping pearl grey sequin gown with a silk cape, made by the designer Erdem.

Many awaited the arrival of Rhi Chi on the red carpet and the superstar certainly delivered. She sported a camellia cape that transformed into a shawl with a white gown below. The train required an entire entourage to carry up the Met steps. When asked how she was feeling, she simply said, "Expensive." A$AP Rocky wore a custom Gucci top with an embroidered skirt.

Also preferring a flowing bottom half rather than just trousers was Taika Waititi. This New Zealand filmmaker, actor and comedian sported pearls plus a camellia, nodding to Chanel’s signature looks. He joined the party with his other half, Rita Ora, who sizzled in a black sheer gown.

Yung Miami and Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs did well to adhere to the brief. Yung Miami sporting pearls and a corset - with those black sheer tights. Diddy's look was also on point. But the most important question here was: are they a couple? “We definitely go together real bad!” Diddy said on the red carpet, stating he didn't want to 'put a name to it'.

We love this asymmetrical masterpiece worn by South Korean model, Sora Choi. It was her Met Gala debut

Actor Jared Leto found a place on the red carpet for Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette. He arrived in a full-body costume before changing into an all-black ensemble that included a floor-length cape.

Taking the pearl theme and running with it: Lil Nas X never fails to surprise. It was even more surprising when the singer ripped off the fluffy white coat to appear in flimsy underwear and sprayed from head to toe in silver paint. A statue in honour of the late Karl Lagerfeld.

Cruz was one of the co-hosts of the gala and wore this Chanel couture spring/summer 1988 dress with a hood reminiscent to that of a traditional Spanish mantilla. She was a good friend of Lagerfeld's and, naturally, nailed the brief.

Olivia Wilde is pictured here with Gabriela Hearst, Maude Apatow, and Vanessa Kirby who all take different inspirations from the designer. Wilde wore a 1983 violin dress, originally designed by Karl Lagerfeld while he was at Chloé. Interestingly, the dress is also included in the Met Gala exhibit.

We like all in white. And Bad Bunny can pretty much do anything and turn it into look many would want to recreate. Here, paying tribute to Chanel in a look by Jacquemus, tailored to perfection with a several foot long train behind him.

Certainly one of the highlights of the evening. Co-host Michaela Coel was one of the first to arrive on the red carpet in this stunning Schiaparelli flor length gown decorated with over 130,000 crystals.

Sequins for Kendall Jenner as she wore a black leotard, complete with a matching cape, designed by Marc Jacobs. She finished the look off with black platform boots and a ponytail. The hair is not the only interesting view from behind as the leotard bared-all, not leaving much to the imagination!

Do we still do sunglasses on the red carpet? If you're Jessica Chastain paying tribute to Karl Lagerfeld, you do. Jessica Chastain emulated his hair, sunglasses, and sassy demeanor with Gucci glamour.

The 42 year-old rocked pearls and a corset - clear nods to the brief. It is what many had hoped for and expected from the businesswoman: pinched waist and lots of glamour in a Schiaparelli gown.

Lea Michele, Kaitlyn Dever, Camila Morrone, and Vanessa Hudgens got together on the red carpet for this shot, showing a little splash of colour on the red carpet. We love Lea Michele's draping Michael Kors Collection dress and sleek new bob. Hudgens also sparkled on the red carpet in a head-turning cut-out dress from the same designer.

We love this fun look from singer, Cardi B. She was another to change outfits on the evening, starting with this structured ballgown by Chenpeng Studio, transitioning into a fitted black sweetheart bodice adorned with silver studs.

Another mixed bag of looks on the red carpet, with all paying homage to Karl Lagerfeld in one way or another. Many like to wait and see what actress Kristen Stewart will pull out of the bag on a red carpet and she looked every bit her fresh, funky and cool self. On the other hand, pink hair from Marion Cotillard?

When does Jenna Ortega not do a great job at showing her own personality and yet delivering high fashion? Never. Very 'Wednesday', this Thom Browne goth-inspired corset and ruffled skirt complimented the actress and nailed the brief.

Taking the feline look one step too far? Doja Cat's dress was a gorgeous floor-length gown with ruffles, but the singer, who was dripping in sequins, donned a prosthetic nose and took emulating Lagerfeld's cat one step too far.

And yet, we would have expected something a little more creative from singer Dua Lipa who, of course, still looked divine in the autumn/winter 1992 Chanel couture gown originally worn by Claudia Schiffer on the runway. Pairing that with a one-of-a-kind Tiffany & Co diamond necklace featuring over 100 carats, she looked a million dollars.

The look provided by Erykah Badu was a bold and brave one. She worked with Marni designer Francesco Risso to create her fringed wig and dress, strung with Chanel-style beads. Well, it certainly demanded attention.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Alton Mason said he wanted to 'honor his distinction as the first Black male model to walk for the house of Chanel', so he paid tribute to the Chanel bride. Accomplished?