Stars such as Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and Nicole Kidman have posthumously celebrated the German star designer Karl Lagerfeld at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. For about five hours, they walked together with dozens of other stars on Monday evening (local time) over a beige-red-blue carpet, which had been laid out over the entrance stairs of the famous museum at Central Park in Manhattan. The dress code included fashion designed by or reminiscent of Lagerfeld. The spectacle opened the exhibition "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" about the designer's work at the Metropolitan Museum.
"I loved Karl so much, and it's wonderful to see that so many people have come to give him the honor he deserves," said the top host of the charity gala, Vogue boss Anna Wintour, who was the first to climb the steps. The pregnant Rihanna – in a sweeping white robe with a train – and her partner, the rapper A$AP Rocky, were the last arriving guests about five hours later. In between, Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Roger Federer, Penélope Cruz, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny, Cardi B, Glenn Close, Sofia Coppola, Billie Eilish, Anne Hathaway, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller as well as Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz Beckham also showed up.
The star-studded event traditionally takes place on the first Monday in May. Often referred to as the "party of the year," the "Met Ball" is an annual fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute. The estimated multi-million dollar income from the "Costume Institute Benefit" forms the annual budget of the institute, which is now named after Wintour.
"Karl always made me laugh, he was so funny," said actress Kidman, who appeared with husband Keith Urban and in a pink dress Lagerfeld once designed for her. "I knew him well and have a great, great love for Karl." Model Naomi Campbell, who was a guest at a Met gala for the 16th time, also raved about Lagerfeld. "I loved Karl, he was always so focused on each individual person." Lagerfeld was a "wonderful man," said fellow model Gisele Bündchen, who came to the gala alone in a white feather outfit after separating from the ex-football professional. "I'm happy to be here and honor him."
Lagerfeld was a "machine of creativity, energy and humor," said US designer Michael Kors. Designer colleagues such as Marc Jacobs and Tommy Hilfiger also paid tribute to Lagerfeld. "You didn't go anywhere with Karl, you entered his world," said designer Thom Browne. "And from then on, time stood still." The German designer was simply an "icon", said singer Lopez. "It almost feels a bit overwhelming to be here," said French singer Carla Bruni. "I can feel his spirit here."
But not only Lagerfeld himself was celebrated, but also his cat Choupette. She didn't appear herself, but there were numerous guests with handbags and the like in the form of cats. The musician Doja Cat even came completely in a silver-glittering cat outfit. "This is my first Met Gala and it's not going badly, I'm relaxed and feel good." Actor Jared Leto appeared in a full-body fur choupette costume.
There were also two baby surprises: Model Karlie Kloss showed herself pregnant with husband Joshua Kushner and confirmed that the couple is expecting their second child. And ex-tennis pro Serena Williams also posed with husband Alexis Ohanian - and baby bump. "There are three of us here, our new addition," Williams said. "I'm fine. I can breathe and stop hiding." The couple already have a daughter together. "Everyone here is excited," said actress Olivia Wilde. "No one is so conceited that they aren't excited here - but inside people dance."