Koktail Archive: Vintage Looks Steal the Show at the 2023 Met Gala


A sustainable twist on glamour as celebrities revisit iconic designer pieces

It’s that time of year againthe Met Gala, a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute which raises eight-figure sums year after year. This year’s theme, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”, honours the late German fashion designer. Although he had influence as a designer, he was also a controversial figure, criticized by some for being unkind to fat people, and not in favour of the #MeToo movement.

That said, Lagerfeld’s career incorporated several top fashion houses including Balmain, Fendi, Patou, Chloé, and Chanel. Although the theme this year is somewhat provocative, Koktail would like to applaud celebrities who revisited timeless pieces from the past by wearing gowns that looked stunning on the red carpet and represented a historic moment of the designer’s career. 

While we enjoyed seeing 
Doja Cat and Jared Leto's looks inspired by Choupette, the beloved cat of Karl Lagerfeld, we are even happier to see many celebrities are now prioritising sustainable fashion choices.

Here are a few 
vintage looks that have been re-worn at the event as well as pieces that have been created by sustainable designers:

Margot Robbie's look was remade from a Chanel dress worn by Cindy Crawford on the runway in 1993.

Dua Lipa wore a 1992 Chanel bridal dress originally worn by Claudia Schiffer.

Nicole Kidman opted for a dress she had first worn during a 2004 Chanel No.5 advert.

Yara Shahidi's corset was from the spring 2008 Mermaid Haute Couture collection for Jean Paul Gaultier.

Naomi Campbell wore a Chanel Haute Couture spring/summer 2010 gown.

Vanessa Kirby wore a 1983 Karl Lagerfeld design for Chloé.

Kristen Stewart, Chanel ambassador wore a tuxedo jacket and belted trousers from Lagerfeld’s 2016/2017 Cruise collection for the French fashion house.

Marion Cotillard wore a caped sequin minidress from Chanel’s autumn/winter 2007 couture collection, which she first wore at the BAFTAs in 2008.

Aubrey Plaza wore a dazzling white gown from the sustainable designer, Stella McCartney.

Actress, Met Gala co-chair, and Chanel ambassador Penelope Cruz wore a vintage Chanel couture gown from 1988.

BLACKPINK’s Jennie wore a recreated look from Chanel’s 1990 Fall/Winter collection.

Quannah Chasinghorse wore a pink gown by sustainable designer Prabal Gurung, as well as jewellery made by Rubia Joy.

Alia Bhatt also wore a gown by sustainable designer Prabal Gurung, showcasing a stunning pearl gown.