1. You don’t have to be controversial to make a statement

With this year’s theme paying tribute to Karl Lagerfeld, many celebrities took on controversial looks, such as Jared Leto’s human sized cat costume that uncannily characterised Lagerfeld’s beloved feline, Choupette (of whom was not in attendance). 

However, those celebrities voted the ‘best dressed’ took on the tagline of the late designer’s fashion house, “fashion changes but style endures”; i.e. timelessness and reservedness will forever be favoured at any event.

Lily Aldridge, Margot Robbie and Dua Lipa in modest gowns were some of the most tweeted and chronicled stars at the event. Therefore, some of the best events needn’t be grandiose or ostentatious, but rather execute simplicity well to ensure timeless and raving reviews. 

2. However… shocking moments don’t hurt

In light of high social media reviews, controversiality doesn’t hurt if it’s occasional and humorous. Let’s take Doja Cat and Jared Leto, both taking on the persona of Lagerfeld’s cat. Despite Leto dressing in a freakish lifelike costume; Doja Cat took on a full method technique and embodied Choupette in a crystalised gown with feline facial prosthetics. 

These two looks were standouts of the evening and had countless memes made in their memory. Having one piece of unforgettable, shocking or just plain bizarre content can count for a lot, even if it is fleeting. It is the funny, wild and weird moments that attendees and delegates will regurgitate and remember from your event, so make them brief and memorable for a successful and acclaimed night.

3. Focus on Personalisation 

Despite risking repetitive looks, there was not one thing generic about this year’s Met Gala. Billie Eillish brought a dose of her angsty authenticity in a Simone Rocha dress, Kim Kardashian showed off her notable silhouette in Schiaparelli. 

Personalisation is inescapable especially when it comes to attendees exhibiting their own ideas; people love putting their own spin on occasions. Take Coca Cola’s ‘share a coke’ campaign which printed consumer names on drink cans - the campaign resulted in a 2.5% increase in total sales. In other words, personalisation is integral to a successful showcase. Connect your attendees with individualised place settings and customised invites; if this year’s Met Gala has taught us anything, it’s that personalisation is no longer just wanted, it’s expected.

4. The legacy of your event isn’t beholden to your marketing, but your guests

Your attendees are both deeply independent and deeply interconnected. This is a paradox exemplified by the Met Gala: a theme that sews together disparate celebrities delivering wholly individualised yet complimentary looks. This means your attendees are less likely to be swayed by your marketing of the event but rather by others’ recommendations. Guests are highly dependent on others' input through social media coverage, word of mouth reviews and validation of the event in the form of return attendance. 

This means making the event personal to your guests is integral, as touched on in the previous point. It’s impossible to overstate the importance of customisation in today’s consumer age. No one wants to be thought of as a demographic, therefore creating an individual, customised and wholly outrageous event is perhaps the only lesson you really need to take from the Met Gala 2023.