21 iconic nail looks from the Met Gala 2023

The first Monday in May pulls celebrities from across the globe to New York’s Met Museum for the infamous Met Gala, an annual fundraising event to benefit the museum’s Costume Institute.

Renowned as ‘fashion’s biggest night’, guests arrive in avant-garde attire based on a theme. This year’s gala theme was based on the Costume Institutes’s spring show: Karl Kagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty, which honours the late fashion designer’s work. 

He headed up fashion houses including Chanel and Fendi, and guests channeled his designs into their outfits and nails on the night. Check out some of the nail looks below…

Rita Ora dazzled with chain and pearl nails courtesy of Naomi Yasuda using Manucurist.

Actress, Emily Blunt, wore CND Vinylux™ in Black Pool atop short nails, courtesy of Julie Kandalec. “The lace and sequin details of Emily’s look called for a strong, crisp nail, so we chose Black Pool to balance the softness of the lace and bring our vision together perfectly,” Kandalec explains. “Plus, the little touch of Chanel charms with micro pearls completed the look.” CND Vinylux™ in Soft Peony was used on toes.

Elle Fanning wore ‘lace nail gloves’ by Nails By Mar Y Soul, inspired by Karl Lagerfeld’s infamous gloves and the lace on Fanning’s Vivienne Westwood dress.

Viola Davis showcased a shimmering nail style courtesy of Kim Truong (@kimkimnails), who used CND Shellac™ in Winter’s Glow with CND Shellac™ Over The Top Effects in Off The Chain.

Margot Robbie’s nude nails featured a micro French finish courtesy of celebrity manicurist, Tom Bachik.

Oscar award-winning actress, Jessica Chastain wore Gucci with sheer black gloves, and gave manicurist, Julie Kandalec, the direction to create something that ‘shined through the gloves’. Kandalec used The GelBottle Inc BIAB #19 topped with semi-opaque TGB shade, Apple Blossom, with an opalescent finish. She completed the look with hand-placed Preciosa Crystal and Crystal AB.

@sreyninpeng used Après products to create a standout nail style for tennis star, Serena Williams. She revealed on Instagram that the nail inspiration came from Serena’s custom Gucci dress, and that Serena sought ‘a modern tuxedo nail look’.

In ‘an ode to Karl’, Kim Truong painted the Chanel camellia on Miranda Kerr. She used CND Shellac™ in Negligee and Studio White.

Yoko Sakakura used Kiss Gel Fantasy Nails in Aim High on the nails of Olivia Rodrigo, finished with a chic black.

Kerry Washington wore pearls atop almond shaped nails, enhanced with CND Plexigel™ in Spiced Taffy. Nails by Kim Truong.

Queer Eye star, Jonathan Van Ness, wore a black dress with white bows, complemented by Chanel accessories and Chanel-themed nails, courtesy of Mei Kawajiri.

Après nail products and Swarovski crystals were used by Temeka Jackson to create a dazzling nail look for Lil NasX.

Actress, Gabrielle Union, wore red-tipped nails courtesy of Thuy Nguyen using Louboutin nail lacquer.

Emily in Paris actress, Ashley Park, wore custom Michael Kors, including fingerless gloves that pay homage to Karl Lagerfield. The nails, by Naomi Yasuda, were inspired by this biker chic element, using Licorice by Manucurist and incorporating grommets throughout.

Nicola Peltz Beckham sported chrome tips by Tom Bachik. The manicurist prepped the nails with the Tweezerman x Tom Bachik Nail Care Travel Set before using Après Neutral Gel-X #Maisie Tips in a natural medium stiletto, softening the shape for a custom fit. He applied Après Gel Couleur in Fairy Wings before defining the free edge with silver chrome powder and finishing with the #Apres Top Coat Gel.

Transparent black nails with a black outline were created by Mei Kawajiri for singer-songwriter, FKA Twigs.

Eri Ishizu used OPI products – including the Black Onyx shade – to create this pearl-topped nail style for Lizzo.

The nails of model, Devon Aoki, suited the pearl theme – as Mei Kawajiri created a white pearl chrome finish.

Tom Bachik tended to the nails of regular client, Jennifer Lopez, commenting: “In true Karl Lagerfeld fashion, we prepped three options for @JLO so we could see which one would best complement her @ralphlauren look. I started with my @tweezerman x Tom Bachik Nail Care Travel Set (coming soon!) to shape, file, and buff the nail for a meticulous mani.

“Then, I painted two coats of #FairyTailor by @essie on the entire nail. Followed by a coat of #Licorice down the side in a diagonal motion across to the opposite edge of the tip. Add a coat of Gel Couture Long-Lasting Matte Nail Polish Top Coat on top of #FairyTailor only and then finish with a coat of Stay Longer Top Coat on top of #Licorice for a patent leather gloss.

“Lastly, I hand placed black diamonds to create the signature CC and finished with #Essie Apricot Nail & Cuticle Oil.”

A dark chrome silver tip featured on the nails of actress, Letitia Wright, courtesy of Mei Kawajiri.

Screenwriter, Michaela Coel, showed off bronze chrome nails to accent the over 135,000 crystal beads on her hand embroidered outfit. Nails by Naomi Yasuda.