Who is Karl Lagerfeld, in honour of whom Met Gala 2023 is themed

By Daphne ClaranceKarl Lagerfeld was one of the most popular fashion icons of all time. His contribution to the field took a phenomenal take during his lifetime until his death in 2019 as his legacy in brought about several signature styles in the fashion industry.

The Met Gala 2023 – fashion’s biggest night of the year – will have a curtain-raiser moment on May 2 (4 am IST). While the guest list has been under wraps for the longest time, the theme of the fashion gala is quite unconventional from previous years.

While the theme hasn’t been very specified earlier, this year it is – Karl LagerfeldA Line of Beauty, in honour of the fashion mogul who died four years ago.

Who is Karl Lagerfeld?

One of the most acclaimed designers of the 20th century, Karl Lagerfeld’s career spanned over seven decades. He reigned as fashion’s most famous and revered designer who died at 85 on February 19, 2019.

Born in Hamburg in 1933, Germany, Karl Lagerfeld was the creative director of the French fashion house Chanel, a position he held from 1983 up until his death. He also became the creative director of Fendi, an Italian fur and leather goods fashion house.

Besides this, the designer, who was born to a wealthy family, was the founder of his eponymous label. What sets him apart from the rest were his signature looks like his white hair, black sunglasses, fingerless gloves, and high starched and detachable collars, which he sported during major fashion events.

At a young age, Lagerfeld was hired as a junior assistant and then apprentice at Balmain, the haute couture house. He then joined Jean Patou and left haute couture, apparently in 1962, apparently because he was tired of creating formal clothing for the rich.

He soon became a freelance ready-to-wear designer as he was regarded as “bold” and “foolhardy”. In 1965, Karl added Fendi to his client list, and this collaboration catapulted his designs, converting his local popularity into global fame as he focussed on luxury furs.

In 1984, Karl founded his eponymous label but later, it was sold to Tommy Hilfiger Group in 2005 and is currently owned by investment fund Apax Partners, according to Vogue Business.

Although Karl witnessed immense fame for his signature styles, he also faced criticism for his designs. When the Met Gala 2023’s theme was announced, the internet was left divided. On the one hand, most people applauded the honour given to the late designer, others became a part of the longtime dialogue around Karl’s complicated legacy who had a penchant for problematic themes.

The Met Gala 2023 exhibit will feature 150 of the late couturier’s designs alongside his original sketches.

Upon his death, the fashion industry paid tribute to him with emotional messages.

Besides this work, Karl, of course, was the keeper of Choupette, the white Birman cat with thousands of Instagram followers.

As per reports, Choupette is set to walk the red carpet at the Met Gala 2023.