With a decade of Met Gala appearances under her belt, Kim Kardashian is among the few celebrities whose Met Gala looks dominate the conversation every year. So naturally, it’s only fitting that she make an impactful sartorial statement this year — which she delivered on with her pearl-adorned Schiaparelli Haute Couture ensemble on the 2023 Met Gala red carpet. At the heart of her look was a neutral corseted midsection that accentuated her curves with layers of strung pearls draped horizontally. Ruffled sleeves and a crêpe train accent made the look all the more ethereal, while a textured silver choker infused it with an added edginess. Her dress included 50,000 pearls and 16,000 crystals and took more than 1,000 hours to complete, according to Vogue.
Kardashian’s delicate look did come with a few challenges, however. She told Vogue on the red carpet that she actually had a wardrobe malfunction before hitting the red carpet, and her daughter, North West, stepped in to help. “Some [pearls] popped on the way,” the Skims mogul explained, “and I told my daughter to grab them all. They’re real pearls, and she was putting them in her purse.” West, 9, made an appearance by her mother’s side before the Met Gala, wearing ripped jeans, a tweed jacket, and a shell purse by Chanel, that came in handy for housing the remnants of her mother’s dress. Leave it to the eldest West sibling to save the day.
Longtime stylist Dani Levi has sourced many of Kardashian’s most notable red carpet looks, and her latest Met Gala number is no exception. Mario Dedivanovic relied on Skkn by Kim products to build out her angelic glow for the evening, and the mogul — much like her sister Kylie Jenner — opted for a tousled, Pamela Anderson-inspired updo to complete her elevated vibe.
Kardashian joined a host of other celebrities in honoring the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld through her look for the occasion. Lagerfeld’s designs were often rooted in a classic Parisian elegance that felt elevated and timeless — and pearls were one of his favorite embellishments. Some fans also noted that her dress could be a nod to one of her previous looks, notably Kardashian’s infamous Playboy magazine shoot from 2007. “Karl who? This year’s theme is actually ‘Kim: A Lexicon of Fashion’!” Diet Prada noted playfully.
This isn’t the first time the entrepreneur and reality star has managed to blend the old with the new via her fashion choices — and her style evolution through the years all but proves it. Just last month at the Time 100 Summit, she leaned into the minimalist aesthetic with a sheer blazer and trouser combo that she paired with muted jewels and another messy-yet-put-together updo — much like the one she rocked on the Met Gala red carpet.
Ahead, get a glimpse of Kardashian’s pearl-adorned ensemble up close.