“No Modesty Anymore”: 17 Sheer Met Gala Looks That Broke The Internet For All The Wrong Reasons

13. Janelle Monáe In 2023

The 2023 gala paid tribute to the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld with the theme “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.” Janelle Monáe delivered one of the night’s most theatrical, multi-layered looks in a custom Thom Browne ensemble. The design paid tribute to Lagerfeld through its signature black-and-white palette and structured tailoring. She arrived in an oversized, trapezoidal black-and-white tweed tuxedo jacket featuring mismatched patterns, layered over a button-up dress. For the big reveal on the Met steps, her entourage helped remove the outer layer to unveil a cone-shaped, sheer black tulle pannier dress beneath. Under the sheer wireframe structure, Monáe revealed a sparkling black-and-white bikini adorned with strands of pearls and rhinestones, adding a bold twist to the tribute. She accessorized with a white leather quilted bag shaped like Choupette, Lagerfeld’s beloved pet, and completed the look with extra-high black-and-white platform sneaker heels. The moment carried personal significance for Monáe, who made her Met Gala debut in 2011 with Lagerfeld himself as her date. Reflecting on the tribute, she told People magazine, “I went with Karl, so this is sort of full circle for us to be honoring him. I'm really excited about what we'll do.”