Woe betide if you make plans on the first Monday of the month, lest Anna Wintour's invitation arrive to attend the most exclusive fashion event on the planet. Every year since 1948, the world's most influential celebrities walk down the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of New York to attend the famous midnight dinner to raise money for the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The most influential personalities from the fashion world and beyond attend the Big Apple's most important event, with a turnout of around 600 guests including actors, designers, top models and artists of all kinds. It is a veritable showcase to the world that celebrities use to get themselves talked about, an evening of unparalleled media importance. Having the final say on the guest list from 1995 until now is Anna Wintour, the legendary director of Vogue and patroness of the event. This year, the theme chosen is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, a grand homage to the late artist and the beauty he created during his decades-long career. Let's browse through the most glamorous and talked-about gowns and nail looks of the evening dubbed “ A Jewel in New York city's social crown”.

Karl Lagerfeld has collaborated with the most prestigious fashion giants. One of his longest-lasting relationships has been with Chanel, which is why many of the guests walked the red carpet in stunning creations by the famous French fashion house. Even Rihanna enchanted those present with a floral hooded coat made entirely of maxi camellias, a symbol dear to Chanel. Her singing performance, with which she managed to make up for the two-hour delay, was also much appreciated. The dress that elegantly wrapped her second pregnancy belly was by Valentino Haute Couture, white like the colour with which Karl liked to close his fashion shows.

Penelope Cruz, one of the late designer's muses and a dear face to Chanel, wowed the crowd in a romantic wedding dress by the French brand, one of the most iconic creations ever. To accompany so much shine, the actress chose simple and refined nude nails. Dua Lipa, one of the most courted stars of the fashion system, also attended in a historical creation of the fashion house, worn by supermodel Claudia Schiffer during her last show in 1995-1996.

Another homage to white was paid by actress Anne Hathaway, wearing a magnificent Versace dress designed by Donatella. In fact, the designer wanted to "create a dress that celebrated a conversation between Karl and Versace". The Italian fashion stylist says: "I remember listening to Gianni and Karl talking and laughing one night at dinner and this dress reminds me perfectly of that moment". Just a note: we would have worn it with a tan line. Fortunately, the actress has brightened up her look with golden nails that give colour and warmth.

Sporting instead a Barely There Nude look not only on her nails, was supermodel and sexy icon Emily Ratajkowski, leaving viewers breathless as ever.

Brightening up outfits and nails were Rita Ora and Jenny Ortega, both sporting a black manicure and much-photographed black dresses. The singer sported nail appliqués to say the least, impossible not to notice and certainly the most vibrant nail look of the Met Gala 2023. As for our beloved Wednesday, we hope the stylists will soon rid her of the image closely associated with the Addams family character.

Another manicure worth mentioning is that of the iconic Jennifer Lopez, who arrived in a Ralph Loren dress custom-made for her. Under her gloves she had a very fine nail art done, needless to say, by her inseparable manicurist of choice Tom Bachik.

The stars took the opportunity to pay homage to the timeless combination of black and white, setting aside colours that were too flashy for this edition. The classic pairing never fails and was often present in the creations of the German designer and photographer, who elevated and reinvented this timeless combination when he was creative director of Fendi and Chanel.

This edition was complimented by critics, the outcome of the event was a success unlike the night of the Oscar 2023 which had sown some perplexity. Karl would probably also be pleased with the looks of the Met Gala 2023, an evening that certainly honoured his heritage and the indelible imprint he has left on fashion forever.