From cat tributes to self-reveal: 7 most outrageous looks of Met Gala 2023

The first day of the festival gave just enough bold and feisty for surprise, laughter, inspiration and tears

The first Monday of May 2023 saw some A-list celebrities and extravagant outfits on the stairs of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. For the invitation-only annual festival, the Met Gala 2023, attendees were asked to dress “in honour of Karl.” Karl Lagerfeld, who died in 2019, was a distinctive talent in the world of fashion.

But what’s the Met Gala without some outrageous outfits? It is called the Fashion Oscars for a reason! Presenting the seven most outrageous looks from the night.

1. Jared Leto

It’s not every day that a giant cat (or three) walks into New York for a fashion festival. On Monday, however, an enormous fluffy, white, blue-eyed Burmese cat mascot ascended the Metropolitan Museum of Art steps in homage to Lagerfeld’s beloved pet Choupette, who later revealed himself as actor Jared Leto, bringing a whole new meaning to this year’s Met Gala dress code.

2. Doja Cat

Doja Cat, the singer and rapper known for taking huge fashion risks, also paid homage to Lagerfeld’s feline. She wore a prosthetic cat nose and a hooded Oscar de la Renta gown fitted with cat ears, and a fishtail hem, with the high neckline turning into a headpiece with ears. Her eyebrows were bleached, and a sparkly pendant sat on her forehead.

3. Lil Nas X

Following the steps of the cat lovers, Lil Nas X took the obsession to another level and left barely anything to the imagination on the red carpet. Wearing just silver body paint and a silver thong, he adorned his body with sparkling crystals and wore a bold silver mask over his face. He finished the outrageous look with a pair of silver platform silver boots.

4. Janelle Monáe

While there have been cases of interactive outfits at the Met Gala, The Knives Out star undressed (quite literally) in the most surprising ways – as she promised. Monáe previously teased that fans shouldn't miss her Met Gala outfit. "It's such a surprise. I have an experience that I've put together," she told People last week.

At first, she stepped onto the red carpet in a bulky, black and white coat dress over a hoop base, but layers were peeled off as she stood with her arms outstretched. The big reveal showed the actor wearing a set of black lingerie underneath her sheer hoop undergarment.

5. Pedro Pascal

Twitterati only has one question for The Last Of Us actor, “Where is the other half?” Pascal made a bold fashion statement at the Met Gala, appearing in a bright red shirt, red trench coat and black shorts. He accessorised with a black tie and chunky black boots. The fusion of casual and formal just didn’t go right.

6. Jeremy Pope

Singer and actor Jeremy Pope went overboard while making an extreme statement for Lagerfeld. Wearing the designer's face on the back of his long train, Pope paired his long white cape with high-waisted black pants.

7. Cardi B

Cardi B turned Cinderella for Met Gala this year but the rapper brought her own twist to that as well. Sporting a silver wig and black headband, she told interviewers on the red carpet that her black and white shirt dress was inspired by Lagerfeld. The dress had a full black skirt that was covered in rosettes, and she added long, black gloves to complete her outfit.

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