Sandra‘s Closet

This year’s Met Gala, which celebrated the exhibition «Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,» featured plenty of full-on tributes to designer Karl Lagerfeld. From vintage designs by Karl himself to perfect tributes from rival fashion houses and paws-itively incredible Choupette interpretations, there was much to enjoy at this year’s fashion Oscars.

Always taking place on the first Monday in May, the red carpet was filled with A-listers in mostly monochrome black and white looks, with lots of references to the Camellia, plenty of pearls, a touch of tweed and thousands upon thousands of crystal embellishments. Below, I round up my favourite looks from the 2023 Met Gala with a little description why I liked them.

REFERENCES TO THE CAMELLIA

Rihanna in Valentino Haute Couture

My winner! Rihanna is always one of the best dressed Met Gala guests and she did not disappoint for 2023. A nod to the iconic CHANEL flower, Rihanna, who is pregnant and was joined by partner A$AP Rocky, chose a camellia-appliquéd cape and matching gown, both by Valentino Haute Couture.

Bad Bunny in Jacquemus

Personally speaking the strongest menswear look of the night was worn by the «Tití Me Preguntó» rapper, whose all-white Jacquemus ensemble included an ultra long floral train. Inside the jacket was a custom printed picture of Casa Malaparte taken by Lagerfeld in 1997, a nod to the designer’s photography work.

VINTAGE CHANEL

Nicole Kidman in vintage CHANEL

Telling a story with your ensemble can be beautiful, and Nicole Kidman did it by wearing the CHANEL couture gown that she had first worn in 2004 when she starred in the iconic CHANEL No. 5 fragrance advert directed by Baz Luhrmann.

Naomi Campbell in vintage CHANEL

Another Nineties supermodel Naomi Campbell nodded to Karl Lagerfeld by looking stunningly in one of his own creations, a pink satin gown with bejewelled details from CHANEL’s S/S 2010 couture collection.

Dua Lipa in CHANEL Haute Couture

The gala co-chair turned heads in a tweed CHANEL Haute Couture ballgown from 1992, that she combined with a breathtaking Tiffany & Co. set, comprised of a necklace in platinum with a diamond of over 200 carats and diamonds and a ring in platinum with diamonds of over 9 total carats. The primary diamond of this necklace was cut in the proportions of the famed Tiffany Diamond.

CREATIONS INSPIRED BY KARL LAGERFELD’S AESTHETIC FROM OTHER FASHION HOUSES

Kim Kardashian in Schiaparelli

I love this look! Kim Kardashian wore a heavily beaded custom Schiaparelli dress with thousands of pearls draped over her.

Anne Hathaway in Versace

The actress showed up in a floor-length, monochrome, tweed (a nod to CHANEL) gown, complete with Versace safety pins holding it all together. Call it CHASACE – the perfect mishmash of Versace and CHANEL.

Eddie Redmayne in Alexander McQueen

To honour the late Lagerfeld, the British actor opted for classic tailoring, but with a twist and might have set the start for a multi-brooch trend.

THE DESIGNERS WITH THE MOST KILLER LOOKS

Janelle Monáe in Thom Browne

Leave it to Them Browne for the most theatrical fashion moment at the Met Gala 2023. «Glass Onion» star Janelle Monáe wore a supersized version of CHANEL’s classic tweed jacket. Later it was followed by a high-fashion striptease, that revealed a sheer conical wireframe gown atop a black sequined, pearl-studded bikini.

Jenna Ortega in Thom Browne

With its corseted bodice, ruffled skirt and draped chains, inspired by those iconic CHANEL details, the «Wednesday» actress was half goth, and half glam, and definitely an eye-catcher.

Cardi B in Thom Browne

Another camellia reference, Cardi B nailed this trend in this billowing gown that was also inspired by Karl Lagerfeld’s personal uniform.

CHOUPETTE LOVERS

Doja Cat in Oscar de la Renta

The great tribute to Lagerfeld’s cat Choupette came from Doja Cat, who wore a custom made embellished gown by Oscar de la Renta, that she topped off with cat ears on the hood, a prosthetic cat nose and claw-like nails.

Jared Leto

Telling the best tale (tail) of the night, Leto decided to pay tribute to Karl Lagerfeld’s famous Birman cat, Choupette, in a full cat costume, worth a Disney movie appearance.  However, after unmasking, he transformed into an all-black ensemble and a matching cape featuring an ornate detailing around the neckline and shoulders.

I am curious to hear which one was your favorite!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, Getty Images #ALineOfBeauty
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Last night, my all-time favorite red carpet event took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York: the Met Gala 2019. Personally speaking, this year’s exhibition theme: «Camp: Notes on Fashion», based on an essay from 1964 by the late Susan Sonntag, delivered a bout of wild, over-the-top fashion moments. It was like a playground to dress up for all fashion aficionados.

Even the hostess went gaga: Anna Wintour in an embroidered Chanel gown with feathery cape.

If you seem confused… in this case, camp is not to be mistaken as in sleeping bags and tents, but camp as in exaggerated fashion. Sonntag’s essay, that provides the framework for the exhibition, defines camp as «love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration» and examines how the elements of irony, humor, parody, pastiche, artifice, theatricality, and exaggeration are expressed in fashion. The exhibition will be open to the public from May 9 – September 8, 2019.

This was her theme! Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell changed her outfit four times!

Co-hosted by two fashion-loving celebrities: Lady Gaga and Harry Styles and sponsored by Gucci. What do you want more?

The exhibition itself is featuring both men’s and womenswear, over 200 pieces of fashion, along with sculptures, paintings, and drawings from the 17th century through today. The works of versatile designers from Alexander McQueen to John Galliano, Rei Kawakubo to Mugler, Mary Katrantzou to Jeremy Scott, and more are featured. What I have seen so far, among the exhibited items are many pieces that also hang in my closet. I couldn’t be more proud of my collection…

Before the Hollywood royalty and fashionistas presented themselves on the red carpet in front of the Metropolitan Museum, they met in the nearby «The Mark». The hotel is the venue for Anna Wintour‘s «pre-party» of the glamorous event every year. Definitely the place to stay!

Below are my favorite looks of the night… enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

My favorite outfit! My favorite reveal! Thierry Mugler himself is back, now called Manfred, and envisioned Kim Kardashian as a California girl stepping out of the ocean, wet, dripping. This latex dress took 8 months to make and is for me a true innovation on the runway!

Reminiscent of the Gucci runway: Jared Leto with his beheaded doppelganger

OMG! To die for! Cardi B in Thom Browne

Looking sensational: Saoirse Ronan in Gucci

She looked like a young Linda Evangelista in the ’90s: Bella Hadid in Moschino.

Harry Styles in Gucci

In keeping with the evening’s theme of camp, Ezra Miller turned up with the most outstanding optical illusion. His attire? Custom Burberry by Riccardo Tisci.

All about hats: Janelle Monáe in Christian Siriano.

I love pink, I love Barbie and I love this: Multi Grammy Award-winner Kacey Musgraves channeled a true fashion icon, Barbie, in Moschino.

Colorful: Lupita Nyong’o in custom Versace and Bulgari jewelry.

Stunning Gemma Chan in and with Tom Ford. Best accessory: having the designer at your side.

Katy Perry in a chandelier dress by Moschino.

Céline Dion in Oscar de la Renta

What an entrance! Billy Porter wore a custom-made sun god outfit by New York City-based designer duo The Blonds.

Blue hair, don’t care: Lucy Boynton in Prada.

I loved this. What a Cinderella moment for Zendaya. Sporting a glowing, Disney-esque gown designed by Tommy Hilfiger, and accompanied by her stylist Law Roach who transformed with the wave of a wand Zendaya’s dress into a glowing ensemble. She even left a glass slipper.

Lily Collins opted for an ivory ruffled gown which featured a flowing train by Salvatore Ferragamo. Very ’60s – very sweetheart.

Fresh off the Couture Week runways, Hailee Steinfeld sparked in Viktor & Rolf slogan couture gown. It was a perfect match as Anna Wintour had forbidden cameras, iPhones inside the event…

This was by far my favorite Met Gala of all and I cannot wait to see the exhibition!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Vogue, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Getty Images

CHANEL is taking is back to the ‘80s, and I want in. If I had to buy one piece this summer, it would be this crisp white button-down shirt that Kaia Gerber wore on the Maison’s S/S 2019 runway show that is in stores now for €1990. It has already become the must-have piece of the season for celebrities and bloggers and was featured in several editorials.

In case you are one of the lucky ones to get it, don’t miss the oversized logo earrings and the fabulous Side-Packs about which I will tell you more over the weekend.

LoL, Sandra

Look 6 on the CHANEL S/S 2019 runway worn by Kaia Gerber.

Lily Aldridge US Vogue – February 2019

CHANEL’s new S/S 2019 eyewear campaign

Ciara (@everythingrelatedfashion/Instagram)

Cardi B. (@iamcardib/Instagram) with the must-have shirt and the Side-Packs.

Photos: Via © CHANEL, Dazed Digital – if not stated otherwise.
#CHANELByTheSea
#CHANELSpringSummer

Last night, fashion’s most anticipated yearly event (yes, hotter than the Oscar’s), the MET GALA, offered a breathtaking red carpet that I will tell you all about today. It always takes place on the first Monday in May. But if you’re not an industry expert, you might be wondering why on earth there should be so much hype about it. First of all, Anna Wintour is hosting the night along some well-known co-hosts, which are all much-worshiped by the paparazzi: Amal Clooney, Rihanna, and Donatella Versace. But there is more… many stars, models and fashion designers attend the night in showstopping outfits worthy of unforgettable photos.

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, right, designer Donatella Versace, left, and Vogue US Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour  in Rome last February.

It is a huge night for fashion fundraising as it is dedicated to New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute – formally named The Anna Wintour Costume Center, in homage to the American Vogue’s editor-in-chief, who has been a chair member of the museum’s gala since 1995. It also celebrates the opening of the newest exhibition of which its theme sets the tone for the event and invitees have to dress accordingly. Personally speaking, I find this year’s motto extremely interesting, instead of being dedicated to the work of one designer, it is inspired by the dialogue between fashion and the masterworks of religious art: «Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination».

In Anna’s recent «Letter of the Editor» in the May 2018 edition of US Vogue, she writes: «The exhibition itself has been years in the making, and it will be not only the largest Costume Institue show to date but the biggest show ever at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It’s hard to not sound hyperbolic about it, but it is going to be an absolutely magnificent experience – spanning some 26 galleries and including work from the likes of Valentino, Gaultier, and Dolce & Gabbana along with more than 40 extraordinarily opulent liturgical garments and accessories on loan from the Vatican.

For curator Andrew Bolton, it required endless hours of patience dealing with the Vatican, given the labyrinthine way that it operates.»

Central to the conversation will be the papal garb on loan from the Sistine Chapel sacristy, many of which have never been seen outside the Vatican, even in the 1983 Met blockbuster, «The Vatican Collections: The Papacy and Art».

An enduring influence of religion on fashion: for F/W 2010, church elements played a huge role on the catwalks. Have a look at this previous post: The Nun’s Story.

The display of these extraordinary ecclesiastical pieces will highlight the enduring influence of religion and liturgical vestments on fashion. Among the 150 or so ensembles that will be on display are pieces by Cristóbal Balenciaga, Coco Chanel, who was educated by nuns, and John Galliano, whose transgressive F/W 2000 Couture collection for Christian Dior opened with a mitred, incense-swinging pope-like figure who proceeded down the runway to a voice intoning: «Understand the concept of love.»

First look of Christian Dior Couture F/W 2000

Fashion is a way to express yourself and by placing clothes within the context of religion, you realize how much power the looks of Christianity have and that fashion has supported the way we feel the Catholic imagination.

Part of the exhibition
Left: Fragment of a floor mosaic with a personification of Ktisis, Byzantine, 500–550, with modern restoration, marble, and glass; right: Ensemble, Dolce & Gabbana, F/W 2013

Me in a Dolce & Gabbana F/W 2013 look: A Byzantine Moment

«Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination» is on view May 10–October 8, 2018. A catalog with photographs by Katerina Jebb will accompany the exhibition.

Below you can enjoy some of my favorite looks of last night.

My personal winner: Blake Lively in Atelier Versace
She needed to arrive in a party bus to have enough space for her amazing gown!

Love this look as well: Jennifer Lopez in Balmain, Jimmy Choo shoes and clutch.

Rare moment: The host of the night, Anna Wintour, caught smiling in Chanel.

Angel of the night: Katy Perry in Versace.

Madonna in Jean Paul Gaultier

Co-host perfection: Rihanna in custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano, Christian Louboutin shoes, Maria Tash jewelry, Cartier jewelry, and a custom Judith Leiber Couture clutch.

Always an eye-catcher: Sarah Jessica Parker in Dolce & Gabbana and Jennifer Fisher.

Heavenly: Anne Hathaway in a stunning red Valentino gown.

Icon: Lily Collins in Givenchy

Cara Delevingne in Dior Haute Couture

Simple and elegant, matching the theme:
Andreea Diaconu in Michael Kors Collection and Chopard jewelry

Beautiful print: Ariana Grande in Vera Wang.

Lana Del Rey and Jared Leto, both in Gucci

Curvy and beautiful: Kate Upton in Zac Posen

Rita Ora in Prada

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in custom Ralph Lauren Collection

So cute: Cardi B shows off her baby bump in Moschino next to designer Jeremy Scott.

Kate Bosworth recreated her bridal look in Oscar de la Renta and Tacori jewelry.

Beautiful in velvet: Priyanka Chopra in Ralph Lauren.

Definitely not the most sexy look, but matching the theme well: Greta Gerwig in The Row.

Stella Maxwell in Moschino and David Yurman

Sexy interpretation: Taylor Hill in Diane von Furstenberg

Best dressed man of the night: Chadwick Boseman in Versace.

I personally didn’t like this look at all, not matching the theme (as a co-host you would expect better) and the cut is not pleasing her beautiful shape: Amal Clooney in Richard Quinn.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Vogue.com, © Sandra Bauknecht, © Melanie Galea, (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
Photos: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Harris Brisbane DickFund and Fletcher Fund, 1998; Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, Dodge Fund, and Rogers Fund, 1999 (1998.69; 1999.99) / © Metropolitan Museum of Art; Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana / Image courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Digital Composite Scan by Katerina Jebb, Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Variety/REX/Shutterstock