The best vintage (and vintage-inspired) looks at the 2023 Met Gala

The dress code for the 2023 Met Gala was “in honour of Karl”, a celebration of the late designer whose lifetime in fashion incorporated stints at the helm of Chanel, Fendi, Chloé and Patou. In other words, an open invitation to reach deep into the archives for gowns that simultaneously looked incredible on the red carpet, and represented a specific moment in the history of Karl Lagerfeld’s career. (In addition, of course, to being the most commendably sustainable choice.)

The 2023 Met Gala was “in honor of Karl”

Co-host Dua Lipa opted for archive, floating onto the red carpet in a couture Chanel gown that was previously worn on the runway in 1992 by supermodel Claudia Schiffer. In a stroke of styling genius, Nicole Kidman rewore the pale pink feathered gown from her 2004 Chanel No.5 commercial almost 20 years on. “I have the most indelible memories of fittings with Karl in the atelier, and I loved witnessing his dedication to his craft,” Kidman told Vogue. “He designed a number of dresses for me, but I think this is the most spectacular.”