Met Gala
From Audrey Hepburn-inspired fringe to low-key waves.
Every year on the first Monday in May, the industry’s most beloved A-list personalities gather alongside top fashion designers to ascend the legendary steps of Manhattan’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. At 2023’s Met Gala, the theme just so happened to be “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” and is therein honoring a late great (who is closely linked to Chanel’s iconic body of work).
For the beauty obsessed and fashion forward, the Met Gala is akin to the Super Bowl, or even the Olympics, and serves as the perfect excuse to turn the glamour factor up to new, unreal heights. Of course, a stunningly detailed gown is sure to drop jaws — but IMO, it’s the makeup, manicures, and hairstyles that truly make or break any Met Gala look.
With some serious nods to Chanel’s more minimal, quietly luxurious DNA — and epic bridal looks — the hairstyles of the night have proven to be more about being chic and timeless rather than over-the-top as they’ve been in past years. That said, when it comes to the Met, you truly are never sure what to expect.
Ahead, the most memorable hair moments of 2023’s Lagerfeld-inspired Met Gala.
1
Ashley Graham’s ’60s Flipped Bob
Looking like a ’60s daydream, Graham’s flipped bob and structured finger curls were just as playful as they were chic. Here, Justine Marjan gives Bustle an exclusive breakdown of the look (and what the vibe was like getting ready in the glam room).
2
Florence Pugh’s Show-Stopping Buzz Cut
When it comes to Florence Pugh’s hair, it’s clear that she’s down to try just about anything for a movie role. Case in point? At 2023’s Met Gala, Pugh arrived on the carpeted steps with a sky-high headpiece and a freshly-shaven head to honor this year’s “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” theme. I mean, iconic.
3
Sydney Sweeney’s Oversized Bow
With her bombshell blowout and oversized bow to match (thanks to hair guru Glen Coco and the buzzy Shark FlexStyle™), Sweeney was truly a ’60s-inspired, doe-eyed doll at the Met Gala.
4
Emily Ratajkowski’s Audrey Hepburn-Inspired Fringe
After cutting her bangs a bit shorter for the red carpet, EmRata served up some major Audrey Hepburn-inspired glam thanks to celeb stylist Jennifer Yepez (and some Great Lengths Hair Extensions).
5
Olivia Rodrigo’s Micro Bangs
Truly a spitting image of the late Breakfast At Tiffany’s actor, Olivia Rodrigo looked youthful and chic with a slicked-back bun and mini micro bangs, styled by Clayton Hawkins using Tangle Teezer and Dove products.
6
Kendall Jenner’s Barbie Ponytail
Serving a whole lot of leg (and booty cheeks), Kendall Jenner added a girlish flair to her Met Gala look with a flipped, Barbie-inspired ponytail.
7
Emma Chamberlain’s Mod Headband
Emma Chamberlain tucked her hair back with an oh-so-mod robin’s egg blue headband in a look that served a chic nod to the styles of the 1960s.
8
Rita Ora’s Textured Tendrils
Rita Ora’s tresses were uniquely textured and curled, with pin-straight ends — almost as if she slept in braids.
9
Viola Davis’ Natural Texture
In a Barbiecore pink gown that beautifully complemented her rich skin tone, Davis looked like a breath of fresh air with her natural hair’s texture at this year’s Met Gala.
10
Gigi Hadid’s Half-Up Bun
Gigi Hadid stunned on the Met’s carpeted steps with her waist-length, mermaidcore tresses pulled back into a low-key half-up ‘do.
11
Lily James’ Micro Bangs
Micro bangs are having their main character moment — and James is yet another cool girl to adopt the daring look. Styled by Halley Brisker using OLAPLEX, she debuted some choppy fringe at the Met Gala.
12
Cara Delevigne’s Silver Shag
Serving up some serious rocker grunge, one of the Met’s most daring faces stepped out in a silver shag cut in honor of the late Lagerfeld. Stylist Danielle Priano used a bit of GHOSTBOND Classic to adhere the wig to the cap.
13
Dua Lipa’s Effortless Waves
Dua Lipa, a co-chair of this year’s Met Gala, had her raven black strands styled in subtle, soft-glam waves.
14
Kim Kardashian’s Pamela Anderson-Inspired Updo
This year, the Skims founder arrived at the Met in shapewear covered in pearls. As for her hair? Alongside her go-to stylist Chris Appleton, the duo used the Dyson to achieve one of her most recently beloved ‘dos (which is no doubt inspired by the one and only Pamela Anderson).
15
Lily Collins’ Bouncy Bob
With an almost cartoonish curl that is reminiscent of Betty Boop, the Emily In Paris star truly looked of a different decade with her bouncy bob and red lip at centerstage.
16
Margot Robbie’s Hollywood Waves
Margot Robbie is forever our Barbie — especially with her glamorous, Old Hollywood-style waves, all thanks to Bryce Scarlett (and the cult-fave Dyson and volumizing Nexxus products).
17
Billie Eilish’s Ultra-Long Braid
With her thigh-length braid (that is perfectly camouflaged amongst her piecey gown), Eilish looks dark and dreamy.
18
Penelope Cruz’s Elegant Low Bun
Another co-chair for the evening, Penelope Cruz looked all things elegant (and bridal) with a stunning, slicked-back low bun.
19
Jennie Kim’s Braided Headband
With her lengthy hair sleek and pin straight, the BLACKPINK artist looked radiant as ever with her hair pulled back by way of a thick braided headband (and at her first Met Gala, might I add).
20
Quinta Brunson’s Structural Updo
With her edges laid with gorgeous swirls, Brunson’s structural updo was truly a showstopper.
21
Jessica Chastain’s Ice Blonde Hue
Ditching her signature copper strands for fashion’s biggest night out, Jessica Chastain subtly nodded to Lagerfeld with her ice princess hair transformation. Renato Campora used Sisley Paris to create smooth, low-key waves.
22
Anne Hathaway’s Mega Volume
Anne Hathaway brought all the drama to the Met carpet with her beehive-esque half-up hairstyle and extra long lengths, styled by Orlando Pita using his own Orlando Pita Play products.
23
FKA Twig’s Sculptural Bun
When does FKA Twigs not look like a work of art? For her Met Gala look, she turned heads with her masterpiece of a sculptural updo.
