These First Timers Definitely Made Their Mark At The Met Last Night

I think at this point we are all aware that the 2023 Met Gala happened last night. This year’s Gala was very eventful and we saw so many great looks in honor of the design genius, Karl Lagerfeld. This year’s theme was “In Honor of Karl” and we saw so many details that screamed Karl Lagerfeld and especially Chanel. 

The former creative director of Chanel gave so many aspects to choose from for the guests to use in their looks, we saw tributes to Lagerfeld’s beloved cat, Choupette, the famous white Chanel camellia, and lots and lots of pearls. 

It was especially fun following the first-timers at the Met, and there was a good amount of them. Whenever someone is attending the Met Gala for the first time it is so exciting to see what they and their design team come up with and their personal interpretation of the theme. First-timers always have a lot of pressure on them from the audience because of the desire to make a lasting impression. 

Photo: John Shearer via Teen Vogue

One of the most talked about first-time attendees of the Met was definitely Doja Cat. She took a very unique route and dressed as the one and only Choupette, Lagerfeld’s cat. Her Oscar de la Renta hand-beaded gown took 6 months to put together. It channels both Oscar de la Renta and Chanel with the overall mood and feeling you get from the gown but it is also something that Chanel might do with a couture collection. 

Along with the dress was what everyone was talking about, the prosthetics. These prosthetics were, of course, Doja Cat’s idea and there is no one better to dress as Choupette than Doja Cat herself. However, to make sure that it didn’t seem too much like a costume, they kept the makeup at a minimum. This was to make sure they created a beauty look so the prosthetics don’t take away from the gown too much. 

Photo: Jamie McCarthy via Fashionista

Paris Hilton was one of the most anticipated guests because I don’t think that anyone even had an idea of what she would wear to the Met. Since Lagerfeld despised the color pink, famously known by his saying, “Think pink. Don’t wear it” It is also Hilton’s signature color however she switched it up this year for the Gala.

Hilton donned a black mermaid gown by Marc Jacobs, who stood by her side on the red carpet. When asked about the look the designer said, “It’s not a typical look for Paris” but I think we were all pleasantly surprised. The bustier of the dress was adorned with perfectly placed rhinestones and the black leather skirt was given attention by the train and the perfect cutoff for her shows. Hilton wore sparkly platform heels with straps going all the way up her foot, giving a more unique take to the platform heels we saw all night long. 

Photo: Jamie McCarthy via Elle

Jennie Kim was a pretty big topic of the night between her Met Gala debut and her recreation of one of Lagerfeld’s designs from the 90s. Kim was handpicked by Lagerfeld to be his muse for Chanel and was one of the last he picked before his passing in 2019. The Blackpink singer wore a recreation of look 164 from Chanel’s RTW Fall 1990 designed by the one and only Lagerfeld. 

The crisp white mini dress, which is her length of choice most of the time, was paired with a black ribbon belt that showcased the famous white Chanel camellia flower in the center with a matching one in her hair. She wore black satin opera gloves, black sheer tights, and once again black platform heels. Overall her look is very classic and I can understand why Lagerfeld chose her as a muse, she embodies the classy look and later said on social media, “Merci mon chancel family for this dream look.”

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris via Billboard

Ice Spice, or Isis Naija Gaston, was also one who strayed from her traditional looks for the night. Her iconic curls were replaced by sleek straight hair going all the way past her waist. Although the singer's invitation was last minute, Anna Wintour personally invited her. Gaston wore a white sequined Balmain gown that was custom-made for her. The graceful white dress was given a little flare with mesh floor-length slits that accentuated her body quite well. 

Ice Spice’s accessory was one that was talked about the entire night. She had a bedazzled camera clutch that was unique and refreshing. We didn’t see too many purses on the red carpet Monday night and this added just the right amount of spice, ironically. Ice Spice was also excited to take pictures and create lifelong memories throughout the night she said in an interview with Vogue.