Met Gala co-chair Michaela Coel’s best fashion moments
Another year, and another Met Gala is almost upon us. This 2023, the event will honour one of fashion’s greatest talents: Karl Lagerfeld. Falling on the 1st of May to benefit the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, the accompanying exhibition will be titled ‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty’. The evening’s official co-chairs, however, have caught our eye in the run-up, including Penélope Cruz, Roger Federer, Dua Lipa, Anna Wintour, and one of Hollywood’s most in-demand talents, Michaela Coel.
After successes in the UK comedy Chewing Gum, the daring series I May Destroy You, and her performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, she has cemented herself as one of the most exciting screenwriters and actresses of our time. For her work on both sides of the camera, the star has already picked up a slew of awards to her name, including an Emmy and four Baftas. She became the first Black woman to win at the Emmys for limited series writing, which she picked up for her work on I May Destroy You.
This year, as co-chair of the star-studded event, Coel will take on the responsibilities of curating the guest list, working with chefs on a thematic menu, and helping define the atmosphere. For this year’s Met, it is really anyone’s guess as to what she can wear, with ‘In honour of Karl’ as the only sign of the dress code. So perhaps Fendi, Chanel, Chloé, or even Balmain as an ode to his time at the houses?
HUNGER is tracing back to some of Coel’s best fashion moments in anticipation of this year’s look….
Ferragamo hoods and gems
At the world premiere of Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever, Coel wore a custom Ferragamo by Maximilian Davis. From the SS23 collection, the ensemble included long sheer gloves and a sleeveless jet-black gown with tiny gemstones spattered all over. The standout? A hood in the same material that sits on the shoulders of Coel, whispering reminiscence of Grace Jones and her affiliation with the hooded accessory.
On Jimmy Fallon
Appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last October, Coel stunned in a Burberry number under Ricardo Tisci. The sheer black and white bodysuit was printed with an interlocking design and paired with a sleek bob and a pair of oversized silver hoops.
Tisci mania
Italian fashion designer Ricardo Tisci debuted his return to his namesake label to dress the screenwriter for the London premiere of Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever. The scoop neck gown followed into a tiered lace skirt and thigh-high split. It was detailed with stars and floral embroidery and paired with black lace stockings. Marking the designer’s return from being at Burberry, Tisci stated on his Instagram that “The first time I met Michaela, I immediately understood that she represents and expresses everything a woman means to me — freedom, beauty, a sense of adventure.”
Moet & Chandon Goddess
At the Moet & Chandon Holiday Season Celebration at Lincoln Center last year, Coel stepped out in Balmain, as she donned a brown two-piece from the 2023 collection. A sleeveless cropped top was lined with a sculptural golden snake that wrapped itself around her neck, as the low-rise pleated skirt left her abs on the show and fell to the ground. She accessorised with simple gold jewellery and a neck-length bob to frame the face.
On Graham Norton
Coel made her guest appearance on The Graham Norton Show in November 2022, just after her stint on Jimmy Fallon. For the British talk show, she favoured a look from Bevza’s SS23 collection from the Ukranian designer. The collection was inspired by the country’s fight against Russia, and symbolised hope and optimism for the future. The piece was a golden breastplate secured with a number of thick black fastening for shoulder straps, and Coel paired hers with low-rise trousers as she chatted about her role in Black Panther alongside co-star Winston Duke.
Her mother’s handmade kente gown
As Chewing Gum began to rise in popularity, Coel stepped out to the 2016 BAFTAs. And as much as the star is partial to donning a designer name or two, she paid homage to her creative roots by wearing a dress designed and made by her mother. The colourful kente cloth piece was paired with delicate gold jewellery and magenta lipstick, as she picked up the award for Female Performance in a Comedy Programme that night.
Sweeping the Emmys
At the Emmys in 2021, Coel made history as the first Black woman to win at the awards for limited series writing, coinciding with her first win for the series I May Destroy You. She was nominated a whopping nine times in total, and dressed to impress in a neon yellow custom two-piece set by Christopher John Rogers. The set featured a bandeau-style top and a matching skirt with a knee-high split. It was paired with pearl drop earrings, pumps, and a jewel necklace. She took to the stage in her pop of yellow to dedicate her award to survivors of sexual assault and included a message for other writers as well.
Last year’s Met look…
Last but certainly not least, Coel’s previous 2021 Met Gala look. The creative took to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in a head-to-toe Balenciaga-designed catsuit. With a deep V-neck and attached pointed boots, this sequin embellished cobalt look was up there with some of the best at the themed event, for In America: The Lexicon of Fashion.
