Karl Lagerfeld’s Choupette reveals if she will attend Met Gala
This kitty will not be strutting down fashion’s biggest catwalk.
Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved cat and muse, Choupette, announced Monday she will not attend the Met Gala — despite speculation from fans she would grace the star-studded event.
The Post first reported she was invited, with some wondering if she would walk out with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour or a star like Beyoncé — the purrfect tribute to her late designer dad, whose legacy is the theme of this year’s Costume Institute exhibition, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.”
“A million thanks to all of you my fans, animal lovers & Daddy’s admirers. You have all shown the kindest enthusiasm and unconditional support … Many people have invited me to walk the red carpet of the #MetGala2023 in tribute to Daddy, but we preferred to stay peacefully & cozy at home,” she announced on Instagram to her 160,000 followers.
“We pay tribute to my Daddy every day since his parting and we are very moved to see one more day dedicated to him. With love, forever Choupette.”
Fans took to Instagram to mourn the absence of the classy kitty with some respectfully supporting the cat’s decision to avoid the whirlwind carpet for safety reasons.
“There is no Met without you Choupette!” user @WilliamRamos commented.
Others applauded the fierce feline’s choice: “Choupette is the only one to refuse a met gala invite and serve.”
Another, @OliviaMelvin, commended the cat: “Love you Choupette! Your safety and peace is priority!”
The blue-cream tortie Birman is sure to be celebrated in some fashion capacity on the carpet Monday when stars pay tribute to Lagerfeld, the German designer who worked for Chanel, Fendi, Balmain and other fashion houses before his death in 2019 at age 85.
“It’s an event in honor of the legacy of Karl, and Choupette is obviously a central part of the legacy,” Choupette’s agent, Lucas Berullier, owner of My Pet Agency, which specializes in pet influencers, told The Post last month after the cat received the coveted invite.
Last week, Kim Kardashian further fueled speculation that Choupette would grace the red carpet when she posted a photo with her from Karl Lagerfeld’s office in Paris.
“Had a date with @ChoupetteOfficiel in Paris. We then spent some time at @Karllagerfeld’s office to get a little inspiration for the Met,” she captioned a carousel of photos on Instagram.
Fans interpreted the post as Choupette’s confirmed attendance.
“I bet she takes the cat to the met gala with matching outfits,” one fan commented.
Handlers for Choupette also playfully hinted at her attendance. Last week, they posted a video of the curled up cat on Instagram captioned: “Me, while everyone is wondering if I’m going to the Met Gala.”
It’s been a busy few weeks for the beloved Birman who starred alongside Naomi Campbell in Vogue’s May 2023 cover story honoring Lagerfeld.
The spread features Campbell holding the precious cat appearing angelically fluffy in her arms on a bridge in Paris. In it, Campbell’s wearing a Balmain trouser suit punctuated with a black tie — a striking homage to Lagerfeld.
Kendall Jenner, who posed with Choupette in Vogue’s 2015 September issue, was also featured in the spread.
Indeed, it was hardly Choupette’s first high-fashion rodeo. The famous cat, born in August 2011, has covered myriad international issues of Vogue with the likes of Gisele Bündchen and the late Lagerfeld.
Choupette was originally owned by French model Baptiste Giabiconi. He received the cat from friends on his birthday and named her for the “common nickname in French for cute girls,” according to the New York Times. In 2011, Giabiconi asked an initially reluctant Lagerfeld to watch Choupette around the holidays. The designer ended up taking a liking to her, and the rest is fashion history.
“It became clear to me that Choupette brought Karl great joy,” Giabiconi told the Times.
Choupette continues to work on campaigns for the Karl Lagerfeld brand, luxury pet line LucyBalu and L’Oréal, among other opportunities.
Plus, the kitty is giving back to others in need with her new namesake charity organization the Choupette Fund, which aids stray cats.
Her dad would have been proud to see his prized muse continue to be celebrated — at the Met Gala and beyond.
“[Karl] used to say, ‘In my life, my priority is Choupette over everything else,’ ” agent Berullier told The Post last month. “She was everything to him. He said, ‘I’d like to be reincarnated as Choupette.’ People believe Karl is around when Choupette is around, which is kind of magical.”