The Met Gala in 2023 paid tribute to Karl Lagerfeld with a dress code that simply read “in honor of Karl”. For the occasion, Yai was dressed by Prabal Gurung, who was presented with the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award in 2010 by Lagerfeld himself. Gurung took inspiration from Lagerfeld’s Chanel Haute Couture shows, and Yai looked ethereal in the final piece. A hand-embroidered pannier skirt with sequin pailettes and a beaded bugle bead fringe was worn over a sheer silk tulle mermaid skirt embroidered with cascading oxidised gold and silver sequin paillettes. 

2022: Anok Yai in Michael Kors 

The Met Gala resumed its normal schedule on the first Monday in May after its cancellation in 2020. Yai returned to the red carpet with Michael Kors for the special occasion! To celebrate “Gilded Glamour”, Yai stepped out in a custom hot pink sequinned gown with cut-outs around the back and matching hot pink gloves. 

2021: Anok Yai in Oscar de la Renta 

“American Independence” was the dress code for the 2021 Met Gala, and Yai stunned in a celestial crystal gown with a plunging neckline from the Oscar de la Renta Spring 2022 collection. She accessorised with a big black shawl, sheer gloves, and a statement necklace that was accentuated by her short do. 

2019: Anok Yai in Burberry 

After a very successful modelling debut in 2018 (she became the second black model to open the Prada show, after Naomi Campbell), Yai scored her first invitation to the Met Gala. The theme was “Camp: Notes on Fashion”, and the breakout model wore Burberry by Riccardo Tisci. Her bespoke Burberry dress was sheer and light, hand-adorned with a cloud of ivory feathers, paired with a cowprint clutch and mules.