Met Gala 2023: Standout Couple Moments With Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, Suki Waterhouse and Robert Pattinson and More
Aaron Royce
Assistant Digital Editor
Romance reigned supreme at the 2023 Met Gala, where numerous celebrity couples made a statement on the red carpet. Many tapped into the evening’s exhibit and dress code — both inspired by the design legacy of the late Karl Lagerfeld — for the occasion, putting their own spins on pieces ranging from camellia-coated jackets to piped suiting. Others quite literally dipped into their own archives for a wide range of special Chanel pieces — take, for example, Nicole Kidman’s original 2004 gown from the brand’s No. 5 fragrance commercial, which still holds the record as the most expensive fragrance campaign ever created.
Above all, the Gala’s latest romantic pairs took date night to new heights — and served multiple looks while doing so — at fashion’s biggest night of the year. Below, discover all of their coordinating, contrasting and complementary outfits from the star-studded event.
Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse
Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse made their Met Gala debut as a couple on Monday, becoming the event’s top-trending couple online in the U.S. in the process. For the occasion, Pattinson was sleekly dressed in a Dior Men dark blue suit, pleated half-skirt and white shirt designed by Kim Jones — complemented by the brand’s gold collar pin and crystal flower-embellished leather loafers. Waterhouse, meanwhile, elegantly coordinated with the “Batman” star in a sheer nude Fendi dress accented by multicolored floral embroidery, as well as sparkling crystal-trimmed beige sandals.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky
Arguably the most-anticipated couple to enter the Gala were Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, currently expecting their second child together. The stylish parents brought their fashion A-game to the red carpet; Rihanna wore a flowing white Valentino couture dress with a camellia-coated jacket, while Rocky slipped on a Gucci blazer and collared shirt with a plaid skirt over-embellished jeans and metal-tipped boots.
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade frequently serve sleek couples’ style moments on the red carpet, and their Met Gala looks — each by Prada — were no exception. Union popped in a red leather coat and silky floor-length dress, while Wade opted for a dynamic all-black leather vest, jacket and trousers with glossy uplifted boots.
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban
Nicole Kidman made a historic fashion statement at the 2023 Met Gala this year, accompanied by rocker husband Keith Urban. The Oscar-winning actress nonchalantly slipped into her pale pink custom Chanel couture gown — complete with a sheer cape and dramatic feathered train — from 2004, when she starred in the French brand’s Chanel No. 5 short film (still the most expensive fragrance campaign ever made, with a $33 million budget). Urban, meanwhile, was sharply suited in a black tuxedo with classic leather dress shoes.
Patrick and Brittany Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany, made a chicly minimalist couple at the Met Gala this year. Mahomes slipped on a black double-breasted suit with sunglasses and spike-trimmed Christian Louboutin loafers for a nonchalant take on black-tie codes. Brittany complemented his stark palette in a draped white and silver Boss gown, elevated by metallic silver platform sandals.
Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin
No filmmaking couple has as much fun with fashion as Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, which the respective director and costume designer proved with their latest ensembles. Luhrmann tapped into trending menswear silhouettes with a black and white piped blazer, pleated skirt and trousers with glossy leather brogues, all by Thom Ford. Martin, meanwhile, made a complementary statement in a crystal and palette-embroidered black, silver and gold gown, finished with a sheer skirt and black platform sandals.
The Met Gala raises funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and celebrates the Costume Institute’s annual exhibits. This year’s theme, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” celebrates the life and career of designer Karl Lagerfeld. The 2023 event is notably co-chaired by Dua Lipa, Roger Federer, Michaela Coel, Penelope Cruz and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
Below, discover more couples from the 2023 Met Gala.
Charles Shaffer and Elizabeth Cordry Shaffer
Charles Shaffer arrived on the red carpet in a black suit with a classic white shirt and tie. His wife, Elizabeth Cordry Shaffer, complemented him with a pop of color from a draped mint green dress and sandals with pearl-adorned statement earrings.
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness
Hugh Jackman made a chic arrival to the 2023 Met Gala in a made-to-measure black wool mohair tuxedo suit and white poplin shirt — worn sans-tie — by Zegna, paired with shiny black leather dress shoes. His wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, complemented the same neutral color scheme in an archival mosaic-embroidered black Tom Ford gown, block-heeled pumps and sparkling diamond earrings.
Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian
Serena Williams commemorated Lagefeld’s affinity for pearls in a black and white dress, complete with sheer sleeves, white cuffs and sparkling Art Deco-worthy crystal trim. A headband, stud earrings and layered necklaces — all crafted from white pearls — finished her attire. Husband Alexis Ohanian, meanwhile, smoothly matched her color palette in a classic black tuxedo.
Rita Ora and Taika Waititi
Rita Ora made a sheer statement on the red carpet in a black draped gown with a cape-like train, smoothly accented by see-through paneling, bodice corsetry and floral embroidery — as well as an array of gold and silver diamond-coated bangles and drop earrings. Waititi, meanwhile, chicly revamped black-tie dress codes while shirtless in a light gray silk blazer, ivory silk trousers and glossy black leather loafers.
Roger Federer and Mirka Federer
Roger Federer smoothly channeled Karl Lagerfeld while hitting the Gala’s red carpet, dressed in a black tuxedo and leather dress shoes with Oliver Peoples sunglasses. His wife, Mirka, also leaned into the designer’s Chanel legacy in a high-necked pale pink gown, covered in thin frothy feathers and cinched with a silky bow waist sash.
About the Author:
Aaron Royce is the Assistant Digital Editor for Footwear News, where he writes stories on celebrity style, brand collaborations and in-depth profile interviews. Prior to joining Footwear News, Royce wrote and interned for publications including PAPER, Grazia and the Daily Front Row. He currently holds a B.S. in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University. In his spare time, Royce enjoys reading, discovering New York’s secret gardens and hunting for the perfect pair of combat boots.
PHOTOS: Discover more celebrity couples on the 2023 Met Gala red carpet in the gallery.
