The theme of the gala coincides with a large-scale exhibition titled Karl Lagerfeld: The Line of Beauty at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Press In his release, the MET said the show will bring together about 150 designs that “explore the designer’s stylistic language.”
Exhibits include creations from Lagerfeld’s time as creative director for Fendi, Chloé and Chanel, as well as works for Balmain and Patou, as well as designs for his eponymous label.
The annual fundraiser is one of the most talked about red carpet events of the year. credit: James Devaney/GC Images/Getty Images
Lagerfeld was a prolific sketcher, and most of the items on display are accompanied by corresponding drawings. The Institute’s chief curator, Andrew Bolton, said he was inspired to hear Lagerfeld’s design assistant, or, as he called it, “the hidden hand behind Karl’s sparkle,” pay tribute at the memorial service. Told.
“I was very fascinated by how they were communicating[with Lagerfeld]and it was done through painting,” Bolton told CNN shortly after the announcement.
“All his designs in life were sketches…and when I saw the paintings, I thought, ‘These are so charming, so whimsical, so striking.’ I didn’t realize it contained really accurate information like shoulder lines and sleeve lengths. (His staff) knew exactly what these lines and dots meant and were able to decipher them. “
Bolton, who also wrote an accompanying book, said the late designer “would have hated a retrospective,” but the exhibition would be more of an “essay” about his work.
The Met Gala’s history dates back to 1948, but the idea of centering around an accompanying exhibition first emerged in the 1970s. Recent themes include “China: Through the Looking Glass” in 2015 and “Camp: Notes on Fashion” four years later. In the past, individual designers have been the focus, and last year’s themes included Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Gianni Versace and, most recently, Comme des Garçons founder Rei Kawakubo.
Kim Kardashian, who was pictured with Pete Davidson, sparked controversy at last year’s Met Gala by choosing a dress famously worn by Marilyn Monroe. credit: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images
Next year’s Lagerfeld exhibition will be open to the public from early May to mid-July. Co-chairs for the gala, which included last year’s Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, have yet to be announced.
Above: Karl Lagerfeld poses for a picture with Blake Lively at the 2011 Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty themed gala.