Once again, the Met Gala – fashion industry’s biggest night of the year – did not disappoint. It’s THE fashion party of the year and the one everyone strives to attend (except of course miss eye-roll herself, Gwyneth Paltrow). The beyond prestigious annual event marks the grand opening of the Met Costume Institute’s spring exhibition. This year’s theme being “Manus X Machina; Fashion in the age of technology.” While many stars are clever in how they interpret the theme year after year, some are far from it. This year we saw a lot of silver robotic-like gowns – but one fashion icon (looking at you Cindy) definitely stood out from the rest. Read on for my thoughts on many of the night’s most talked about ensembles.
Beyoncé in Givenchy
Givenchy is obviously Beyoncé’s designer of choice for the Met Gala. Unlike the stunning shear beaded number she wore last year, this is an easy dress for people to hate. But on her, this latex skin-like dress with floral beading and puffed sleeves is kind of amazing and gave everyone something to talk about. On anyone else, it would be terrible. On Beyoncé, it’s major fashion.
Taylor Swift in Louis Vuitton
I’m into Taylor’s new edgier vibe lately (apparently based Anna Wintour’s suggestion), but this look was a miss for me. It felt way too contrived and that’s never cool. Although the silver snakeskin material is incredible, the cutouts and ballerina heels were off. I was expecting her to be in Saint Laurent and think that would have been a better choice.
Cindy Crawford in Balmain
LE-GEN-DARY. The iconic and timeless supermodel, who recently turned 50 looked and starred in Balmain’s latest campaign (along with fellow supermodels Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell) looked unbelievable in this mirrored curve-hugging dress with sheer panels. This is one of Crawford’s best red carpet looks ever. On a night where so many other stars and models wore silver gowns, the original supermodel stole the show and sparkled above all the rest.
Rachel McAdams in Valentino
Definitely one of the night’s best looks and one of the best dresses McAdams has ever worn. Loved this nude slightly shear gold-beaded Valentino dress (masterfully embroidered with lines from Dante’s Divine Comedy). Because of the sea of silver on the red carpet, this dress stood out making a huge impact on the red carpet.
Kendall Jenner in Versace
I don’t love admitting it but Jenner, one of today’s top models, looked amazing in this cutout Versace dress with white and blue stripes. It was young, fresh and suited the model perfectly.
Kylie Jenner in Balmain
Like her or not, this see-through beaded silver Balmain dress was incredible. The craftsmanship and weight of this dress was exceptional. If there weren’t so many silver dresses and if this wasn’t on a Kardashian, people would have loved it even more.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West in Balmain
Sure the matching looks were cool but this wasn’t the most flattering look on Kim. And that’s nothing to do with her figure, this robot-inspired silver dress just didn’t work. But loved how Kanye paired his matching embellished jacket with a white tee and distressed jeans.
Blake Lively in Burberry
I’m a Burberry fan but what is this dress? It’s like three dresses in one. Strapless + blush satin + rose-embroidered train = too much. And it didn’t have anything to do with the theme. And normally I would’ve loved those long earrings but even they don’t work.
Lupita Nyong’o in Calvin Klein Collection
The sequined jade dress with velvet straps was cool and a stunning colour. And the hair was everything. Once again, the incredible talented and smart actress makes an interesting and memorable statement, which mostly had to do with the hair.
Alicia Vikander in Louis Vuitton
Nope. I’m sure some fashion insiders loved this but…
Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik in Tommy Hilfiger
One of my favourite models today, Hadid again impressed with this sexy slate dress. She has such a beautiful and timeless look, reminiscent of the 90s supermodels. And they make a super sexy young couple. But he doesn’t have enough cool factor to carry off the robot-inspired sleeves.
Lady Gaga in Atelier Versace
Has Gaga been around long enough to be self-referencing already? I’m pretty sure we’ve seen her many times in a corset-style bodysuit, tech-inspired jacket and crazy high boots. If she did this 5-10 years from now, I might be more into it but it’s too soon to be pay tribute to herself.
Karlie Kloss in Brandon Maxwell
The supermodel looked stunning in this sexy halter-neck white gown with cutouts on the sides and back. Although, I’m over cutouts and think it’s time to move on from them, it works with this design. Interestingly, the dress transformed throughout the night and later became a mini after a wine spill. Well played!
Poppy Delevingne in Marchesa
I’m not usually a Marchesa fan (the designs are usually way too much) but Cara Delevigne’s older sister killed it in this semi-sheer metallic gown with beaded fringe. It’s super over the top but it’s so luxurious and extravagant that I love it. And check out those jewels! It reminds me of something a socialite would have worn to a party at the Vanderbilts during the Gilded Age.
Anna Wintour in Chanel Haute Couture
Met Gala’s chairwoman, who’s notorious in how she oversees every detail of the night, from the guest list, seating chart and even what some attendees wear (see The First Monday in May), looked like the boss she is in this ornate white fringe Chanel Haute Couture dress. It was fancy. And expensive. And very Anna Wintour.
Emma Stone in Prada
Stone’s been keeping a pretty low profile lately so it was great to see her looking so sexy and chic in this white gown with a high-slit gown and gunmetal leather details. A cool look that didn’t scream “ME, ME, ME” but still made a memorable impact.
Kate Hudson in Atelier Versace
I can appreciate the paper-like panels with stud detailing of this elaborate Atelier Versace gown but it wasn’t my favourite. And I don’t think the whole look was styled well. The hair and makeup seem off. It’s way too plain and normal for such a statement look. Imagine if her hair was back in a tight ponytail and she had smokey eyes and super red lips. And then long straight diamond earrings that hung down to her collar bone. Way better, right?
Jessica Chastain in Prada
Not sure how this had anything to do with the theme but it’s a beautiful dress with intricate beading details and the sapphire colour looked amazing on Chastain. Loved the hair and makeup too.
Nicole Kidman in Alexander McQueen
In 2003 Kidman co-hosted the Met Gala and she wore a legendary silver dress by Tom Ford for Gucci (paired with the most incredible earrings I’ve ever seen) and it was an unforgettable look – her best ever. She was unstoppable then and fashion followers paid close attention to her red carpet choices. But somehow she doesn’t have the same presence as back then. Even in this moon-embroidered McQueen dress with matching cape. It’s beautiful, intricate and fits her perfectly but somehow I don’t care about it much. Know what I mean?
Zoe Saldana in Dolce & Gabbana
Saldana is always one to watch. Her red carpet looks are thoughtful and deliberate, and I normally love what she wears. While this is a pretty epic gown with a long feather-embellished train, I’m not sure it was right for her. If Rihanna wore this, everyone would have freaked out with excitement but on Saldana it overwhelms her. This feels like an example of when the dress wears you as opposed to you wearing the dress.
Naomi Campbell in Roberto Cavalli
Another one of my favourite nineties supermodels, Campbell is also ageless and looked sexy as ever in this black beaded cutout Roberto Cavalli by Peter Dundas dress. Also loved the matching double cuffs on both arms. On a separate note, I saw Peter Dundas walk by me in Paris one night and he is SE-XY.
Madonna in Givenchy
Really?? How many times have we seen Madonna in this look before? The exposed bum and boobs is just lame. And it has nothing to do with her age. For someone who was always able to reinvent herself like no one else, this is tired.
That’s a wrap for the 2016 Met Gala. Stay tuned for coverage of the Cannes Film Festival soon!
Casey Wagar 