While Kim Kardashian is no stranger to wearing haute couture gowns straight off the runway or custom-made just for her, she recently took it to the next level ahead of the 2023 Met Gala.
The event, which is typically held on the first Monday in May, was rescheduled due to the pandemic and took place on September 13th. As always, the fashion stakes were high, and given the theme of In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, the pressure was on for guests to don their most patriotic looks.
Kim Kardashian, known for her trendsetting style and love of all things high fashion, turned to none other than Chanel for her Met Gala look. In the days leading up to the event, she shared glimpses of her outfit on social media, revealing that she was working with the iconic French fashion house’s archives to create a one-of-a-kind ensemble.
For Kardashian’s look, Chanel’s creative director Virginie Viard pulled pieces from the brand’s archives dating back to the 1990s. The outfit was comprised of a skin-tight catsuit made entirely of black lace, with a corseted bodice and full-length sleeves.
The real showstopper, however, was the gown layered over the catsuit. Made of sheer and flowing silver fabric, the dress featured a high neck and long sleeves, with intricately embroidered flowers adorning the bodice and sleeves.
Kardashian completed the look with simple accessories – a pair of black gloves and open-toed heels – allowing the bold ensemble to take center stage.
The choice to work with Chanel’s archives is a smart one with the fashion industry’s growing concern for sustainability and the push for more circular fashion, repurposing vintage garments or materials is becoming increasingly popular.
Visiting archives is not a new practice for fashion designers or celebrities; in fact, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, which hosts the Met Gala, even has its own archive of clothing and accessories from throughout history.
Kardashian isn’t the first celebrity to incorporate archive pieces into a red carpet-look, either. In 2020, Florence Pugh wore a vintage teal gown by Louis Vuitton to the Oscars, which was originally created in 1984 for Bianca Jagger. Likewise, Emma Roberts wore a gown from Giorgio Armani’s 2007 collection to the 2018 Oscars.
While some of these archive pieces have been updated or altered to fit the wearer’s specific needs, the sustainability aspect of repurposing these garments cannot be denied. Creating new outfits from old materials or vintage pieces not only reduces waste but also brings attention to the beauty and craft of fashion history.
Overall, Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala look proves that archive pieces have a place in modern fashion, and can be used to create stunning, memorable ensembles that combine the best of old and new. As the industry continues to move towards a more sustainable future, we can expect to see even more celebrities and designers incorporate vintage materials and archive pieces into their designs.
