Met Gala 2023: Who Is Designer Karl Lagerfeld? And The Controversial Theme Of This Year's Event

Met Gala 2023: The highly anticipated fashion event, Met Gala, is almost here. On May 1, numerous famous personalities from the worlds of entertainment, fashion, and politics will grace the red carpet with their stunning outfits. However, this year's theme has sparked some controversy.

The popular pop culture event that is annually held at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. The theme for this year's event is "In Honour of Karl...", which coincides with the opening of a new spring exhibition showcasing the work of the late designer Karl Lagerfeld.

However, the theme has caused controversy as some people consider Lagerfeld a fashion genius, while others have criticised his controversial remarks on topics such as #MeToo and body image.

WHAT IS MET GALA 2023 THEME?

This year's Met Gala theme is "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty." The event will see the Costume Institute exhibition celebrate the life and work of the German fashion designer, and its dress code is "in honour of Karl."

WHAT IS THE CRITICISM AROUND THIS YEAR'S MET GALA THEME?

Since the theme for this year's Met Gala was announced, several big names and celebrities have come forward to criticise the theme.

British actor and activist, Jameela Jamil has condemned the choice of the theme and asked, "Why is THIS who we celebrate when there are so many AMAZING designers out there who aren't bigoted white men?" He posted a lengthy note on Karl Legerfed on her Instagram handle, opposing the theme; check it out here.

New York Times fashion critic Vanessa Friedman had written soon after Lagerfeld's death in 2019, saying, "He offended people right and left, making as much of an art out of the cutting aside as the perfectly cut double-face gown...He judged and knew he would be judged himself, but he didn't care. Rather, he embraced it."

WHY IS THE THEME PROBLEMATIC?

Karl Lagerfeld revolutionised high-end fashion brand Chanel, brought hip-hop culture into high fashion, and turned the runway into masterful theatrical displays. He was a creative director, an artist, and a photographer. From 1983 until his death, Karl remained creative director of fashion house Chanel. He has also worked for brands like Fendi, Balmain, Chanel, and Chloé

Lagerfeld has collaborated on many fashion and art-related projects and was recognised for his signature white hair, black sunglasses, fingerless gloves, and high, starched, detachable collars. But, the man was also famous for his "big mouth". In his lifetime, Karl has been accused of being homophobic, misogynist, biassed against migrants, sexual assault survivors, the #MeToo movement, "ugly" or "fat" people, and Islamophobic.

Check out some problematic statements made by Karl Lagerfeld.

1) Critiquing sexual assault survivors and the MeToo movement, Karl Lagerfeld, when asked about the sexual assault accusations against his stylist, Karl Templer, said, "If you don't want your pants pulled about, don't become a model! Join a nunnery; there'll always be a place for you in the convent. They're recruiting even!"

2) He had also called American visual artist Andy Warhol physically repulsive and termed feminist women "ugly".

3) He had also fat-shamed several celebrity women, including Adele and Heidi Klum. Telling a German magazine that no one wants to see a curvy woman, Karl said, "She (Adele) is a little too fat, but she has a beautiful face and a divine voice."