In this MEGA Exclusive, we asked three Filipino designers to share their MET Gala Karl Lagerfeld-inspired sketches
The first Monday of May is one of the most awaited fashion galas of the year. A roster of celebrities from across industries from all over the world travel to New York, clad in their custom pieces designed by the best fashion houses. And as the days pass, the hustle and bustle of the industry gets stronger.
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It’s already been announced that the theme of this year’s Met Gala is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty—a tribute to the late designer’s outstanding influence in the fashion world. And to honor the legacy of Lagerfeld, we too are celebrating the Met by asking Filipino designers to sketch their very own designs for the Met Gala.
Chris Nick
Known for merging feminine and masculine styles into his designs, Chris Nick went back to Lagerfeld’s go-to look for every Chanel girl, which is all things chic and tailored. Very much in line to his designer identity—modern with class.
He paid tribute to both Coco Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld in his design with the play between feminine and masculine characteristics that were very much evident with his black tuxedo dress. The form-fitted dress featured coat details such as buttons and pockets, but was elevated even more when he added oversized lapels around the shoulder that also created a plunging neckline. Sleeves were cut above the elbows to give space to the opera gloves while an oversized Camellia flower takes its sporty shape at the center of the neckline. Chris finished off the look by adding pearls on the neck and wrists—creating a stunning piece that honors everything elegant.
Ulysses Caragayan
The young designer gravitated towards Lagerfeld’s beloved muses—the Chanel bride. She’s always there to grace the runway as she closes the show clad in new interpretations of a wife-to-be. It’s only fitting for Ulysses to pay tribute to Lagerfeld’s muse seeing that he has a certain love for the classic and timeless.
Inspired by Lagerfeld’s couture piece back in 2015, Ulysses kept the structured silhouette of the bride, but with a twist. He gave it more body by cinching the waist in, incorporating sultry details as he opted to do an off-shoulder neckline finished with a collar, and modernizing it by adding a few more Camellia flowers on the coat. As for the trousers, Ulysses decided to have a sparkling finish that had a subtle gold accent to it.
Ushi Sato
Ushi’s fashion identity in his designs always showcases the power of femininity. He highlights the sensuality of a woman with such variety, like his signature sheer ruffled dress for a soft finish, while his gilded pieces showcase a powerful aura. For his Met Gala-inspired piece, Ushi decided to hone the rock-and-roll DNA of Lagerfeld.
This piece is a marriage of the classics and the edge. Ushi keeps the true Chanel look with his use of black and white hues, as well as Lagerfeld’s modern interpretation of Edwardian fashion. The bodice was finished with a standing collar that is draped down to the shoulder, and the innerwear was inspired by Lagerfeld’s signature white button down, but done in a fitted manner—all of this to create an emphasis on the bust and waist. He then finished the piece with a high waist silk velvet skirt finished with a high slit while cropped gloves decorate the hands—a playful take on Lagerfeld’s fingerless gloves.
