English actress Jameela Jamil has criticized the Met Gala over its decision to honour late designer Karl Lagerfeld.
The gala organizers announced Friday that the late fashion artist will be the theme for the May 2023 extravaganza in celebration of his work; it will coincide with an exhibit of the same title, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.”
“This man… was indeed, supremely talented, but used his platform is [sic] such a distinctly hateful way, mostly towards women, so repeatedly and up until the last years of his life, showing no remorse, offering no atonement, no apology, no help to groups he attacked… there was no explanation for his cruel outbursts,” the “She-Hulk” actress wrote in an Instagram post on Saturday.
“Those groups were women who were sexually assaulted, the entire me too movement, gay couples who wanted to adopt, all fat people, specifically fat women, and some of his greatest harm was against Muslim refugees, and the disgusting way he spoke about people fleeing their homes for fear of their lives,” her caption continued.
“I’m amazed to see the entire met gala and all the famous celebrities and models celebrating someone who said this s— about women so often,” she wrote, followed by a Lagerfeld quote she cut from a 2018 Numéro Magazine piece, which reads, “If you don’t want your pants pulled about, don’t become a model! Join a nunnery, there’ll always be a place for you in the convent.”
On February 19, 2019, Lagerfield died at 85 of pancreatic cancer.
The Met Gala released a statement on the theme, saying it will bring around 150 designs to “explore the designer’s stylistic language.”
“Karl Lagerfeld was one of the most captivating, prolific, and recognizable forces in fashion and culture, known as much for his extraordinary designs and tireless creative output as for his legendary persona,” Max Hollein, Marina Kellen French Director of The Met, said in the statement.
“This immersive exhibition will unpack his singular artistic practice, inviting the public to experience an essential part of Lagerfeld’s boundless imagination and passion for innovation.”
