Inside the Glamorous World of the 2023 Met Gala

From recycled water bottle decorations to Broadway reunions and tennis stars, here's a peek into the fabulous world of the 2023 Met Gala.

The Met Gala is one of the most glamorous events of the year, and the 2023 edition did not disappoint. With a theme of “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” celebrities and fashion icons arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in stunning outfits that paid homage to American style and culture.

Jared Leto made a big entrance on the carpet as Choupette, designer Karl Lagerfeld’s famous cat, in a full-on white fur suit with very real-looking eyes. Once inside cocktails, it was too hot to keep the whole suit on, but he would not abandon the head. Rami Malek and director Taika Waititi tried on the head and carried it around like a war trophy, much to the delight of other guests.

But Leto’s giant cat head wasn’t the only thing that caught people’s attention. As guests entered the Metropolitan Museum’s Great Hall, they passed a towering centerpiece made of recycled water bottles. The number of bottles was estimated at 100,000, obtained from a recycling plant and headed back to another recycling plant. It was the inspiration of exhibit designer Tadao Ando.

The Met Gala is not just about fashion and film stars; Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue, also has a fondness for Broadway. Among the guests, a spot on one side of the airy Charles Engelhard Court became the site of a joyous reunion of Broadway actors. Josh Groban, Phillipa Soo, Ben Platt, and Jonathan Groff were among the group gathering, laughing, and hugging. For Platt, it was his fifth Met Gala, and he looked like he couldn’t believe his luck. “Anna is a huge champion of the theater!” he said.

It’s no secret that Wintour also loves tennis. She’s a fixture at the U.S. Open and is especially close to Swiss superstar Roger Federer, who was a host at this year’s Met Gala. Federer strolled to dinner from cocktails alongside Serena Williams, who also recently stepped back from tennis and announced her pregnancy at the gala along with husband Alexis Ohanian. Mary Jo Fernandez, former women’s star and now commentator, brought her college daughter as her date.

As the night progressed, everyone was waiting for Rihanna to arrive. The singer finally showed up past 10 p.m. in a dramatic Valentino ensemble in white, accompanied by partner A$AP Rocky in a kilt-type layer over jeans. Cinderella had finally arrived, and everyone else could consider turning into pumpkins.

The 2023 Met Gala was a night to remember, with stunning outfits, impressive decorations, and unforgettable moments. It was a true celebration of American fashion, culture, and entertainment.