American model Alton Mason, the first Black male model to ever walk in a Chanel show, stunned on the Met Gala 2023 red carpet while wearing custom Karl Lagerfeld couture. Designed by creative director Hun Kim, this look was inspired by the late designer’s vision for bridalwear and consists of design details associated with classic bridal fashion, like white lace and intricate beadwork, that are elevated with couture know-how.
Kim stayed true to the Met Gala 2023 theme, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” while designing this custom outfit. The designer shared with GRAZIA, “Alton’s look was inspired by Karl Lagerfeld’s vision for a fairytale wedding and the ‘bride’ look he often chose to close his fashion shows. Accentuated by a strong shoulder silhouette, the jumpsuit features a beaded lace corset. The sweetheart neckline was inspired by a jacket sourced from Karl’s personal design archives.” The expert styling team made the look more dimension by adding items like ruffled lace boots and a lightweight cathedral-length wedding veil made from chiffon.
Kim’s approach to the Karl Lagerfeld-themed Met Gala didn’t just pay tribute to the vision of the designer, but also stayed true to Lagerfeld’s style principles. The designer was famously interested in moving fashion forward with little regard for nostalgia, and we’re inclined to believe that he would appreciate this boundary-pushing bridalwear look.
For more rolling coverage of the 2023 Met Gala, see here.
