FASHION

Feathers, flesh — and a high fashion catsuit at the Met Gala

The theme of this year’s event was Karl Lagerfeld. To some that meant vintage Chanel, to others it was full-on fancy dress, says Anna Murphy

Janelle Monáe; Kendall and Kylie Jenner pose either side of their older sister, Kim Kardashian; Rita Ora
Janelle Monáe; Kendall and Kylie Jenner pose either side of their older sister, Kim Kardashian; Rita Ora
NOAM GALAI/GA; KEVIN MAZUR/GETTY IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
The Times

Monday evening may have represented peak bank holiday slouch for most of us, all about our sofa, the latest episode of Succession and a family pack of peanut M&Ms. But across the Atlantic, in another world — if not another universe — it was the Met Gala in New York, otherwise known as the dressiest of dress-ups in the fashion calendar. The theme this time around was “in honour of Karl”. And if you need to ask who Karl is then, suffice it to say, you were always going to be NFI (not flipping invited).

By the time of his death in 2019 Karl Lagerfeld was not just a celebrated designer, heading Chanel among other brands, he was also his own avatar, instantly recognisable