Kim Kardashian’’s 2023 Met Gala look was an homage to the late Karl Lagerfeld, whose body of work was celebrated on Monday evening. But some fans think her custom Schiaparelli ensemble—essentially artfully draped pearls worn over high-waist shapewear—was also an homage to another fashion icon: herself.
Back in 2007, then 27-year-old Kardashian posed for Playboy wearing nothing but—you guessed it!—pearls. Of course, the Playboy look was more X-rated, as there was no shapewear to cover the bits that can’t be obscured by pearls, but the idea was essentially the same.
Kardashian’’s shoot was actually documented in an episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, the family’s long-running E! reality show that preceded Hulu’s The Kardashians. The scene was instantly memed, but not for the reason you may think. Remember the clip of Kim’s momager, Kris Jenner, cupping her hands and yelling, “You’re doing amazing, sweetie!”? Yeah, that moment happened during the Playboy shoot.
So, her Met Gala look had to be a self-referential moment, right? Fashion-industry watchdog Instagram account @DietPrada shared side-by-side images of the two looks, and the evidence is pretty convincing. That said, the styling of the Schiaparelli look is a bit more refined—the updo and the blingy choker necklace, plus her massive ivory shawl, all lend an air of sophistication.
There’s no way to know if Lagerfeld, who often used pearls in his designs for Chanel, was ever aware of Kim Kardashian’s original pearl “outfit,” but given his obsession with his own likeness (his ponytailed silhouette is pretty iconic), I’d have to imagine he’d approve.
More power to you, Kim!
