It’s the party that costs $30,000 a ticket and even if you an afford a ticket, that doesn’t mean you can necessarily attend. It’s invitation only and there’s a famously long waiting list – just to get on the invite list. Anna Wintour carefully oversees every detail and has to approve everyone who attends – of course she does. So even if a company buys a table, she still has the final say whether your guests can attend or not. Pretentious, right?! God, I want to go some day…
An annual fundraiser to raise funds for the Met’s Costume Institute, this year’s exhibit honours Comme des Garçons (French for “like some boys”), a Japanese fashion label founded by and headed by Rei Kawakubo. Interestingly, she’s only the second living designer to be given a solo show at the Costume Institute (the first was Yves Saint Laurent in 1983). So when thinking about the looks, remember to consider the theme is centered around avant-garde fashion, specifically “The art of the in-between.” As usual, some people get it and many don’t. And when Rihanna arrives, few others matter. Because she always steals the show.
Rihanna in Comme des Garçons
Only Rihanna. One of the few people to actually wear Comme des Garçons, the star shut down the red carpet when she showed up in a look straight off the Fall 2016 runway. And when Rihanna shows up at the Met Gala, it’s hard to pay attention to anyone else. Fashion lovers wondered how she’d ever top her legendary look at the 2015 Met Gala (in Gui Pei) and she succeeded. Rihanna knows how to play the game better than anyone.
Zoë Kravitz in Oscar de la Renta
Kravitz is having a major moment right now and she should be because it’s well deserved. She has an innate sense if style and her taste is somewhat subversive which makes me like her even more. How great was this Oscar de la Renta down with cape/train? At first glance, it seems somewhat traditional but when you look at the detail and the real rose embellishments, you can see there’s more to this dress than you think. Also love her short blond pixie cut and exposed tattoos. Both give this look just the right about unexpected edginess that make it work so well.
Jennifer Connelly in Louis Vuitton
Connelly is always in Louis Vuitton so that’s no surprise. While this was a relatively safe choice, it’s a great look. Super chic and modern. And the ‘shoulder-duster’ ear cuffs are worth the mention alone. This is the kind of jewelry that gets me excited. Long earrings are going to be huge this year so get used to it – and go and get a pair.
Jennifer Lopez in Valentino
Much more covered up look than usual, Lopez was timeless in powder blue Valentino. Sure it had nothing to do with the theme but it had a 60s vibe (something Jackie O or Elizabeth Taylor would have worn) that works for the ageless star. Except her lips were way too light. A darker colour would have worked better. Lopez wore a similar Valentino dress at the 2003 Oscars (with those amazing earrings I still think about) so this was almost self-referencing. I’ll still always love her in fuchsia Gucci at the 2011 Met Gala.
Cara Delevingne in Chanel Couture
Love this pantsuit on the top model turned actress – it’s incredible. Look at the detail and craftsmanship. This is Chanel at it’s finest. The painted silver hair was also cool. But I feel like this look might have made more sense for last year’s gala when the theme was “Manus X Machina: Fashion in the age of technology.”
Julianne Moore in Raf Simons for Calvin Klein
Fun and flirty – a stunning cocktail dress. A design that’s about colour, texture and volume so it works with the night’s theme. Moore also looks confident and she knows she looks good without screaming for attention. Also, check out the ankle-strap shoes. And don’t get me started on her totally gorgeous (and fancy) Chopard diamond and orange sapphire drop earrings – perfect with the dress and some of the best jewels of the night.
Tracee Ellis Ross in In Comme des Garçons
Like Rihanna, Ellis Ross was one of the few stars who actually wore Comme des Garçons this year. And I’m glad she did because she nailed it in terms of style for her first time at fashion’s biggest party of the year. It’s asymmetrical and interesting yet still wearable. And her shoes are killer. Ellis Ross get its and I love watching her on the red carpet.
Priyanka Chopra in Ralph Lauren Collection
People had mixed feelings with this trench coat dress (that felt more Burberry than Ralph Lauren) but when considering the occasion, I thought it was cool. And different. This would be considered a good example of “the art of the in-between.” I love the way the colour was styled and the huge silver Jennifer Fisher earrings were a brave choice.
Sarah Paulson in Prada
Paulson’s almost consistently good on the red carpet and of all the boring Prada dresses last night, this one is the best. There’s an interesting retro old-school movie star vibe to the dress that works. And I love the midnight blue colour and the red and black feather detail. Cool earrings too.
Kim Kardashian in Vivienne Westwood
Not that I’m a fan but let’s be fair, this paired down look works. I like how low key it was – also love the new sharp haircut and the makeup was beautiful. Except even when she’s simplifying her style, she still seems fairly hungry for the attention.
Gigi Hadid in Tommy Hilfiger
I still can’t decide what I think of this dress. Love Gigi and she has the personality to pull it off but part of me also thinks it’s kind of silly. But then I have to remember that it’s the Met Gala and it’s a costume party so this is better than playing it safe. Although, the Instagram image comparing her to the famous leg lamp in A Christmas Story made me burst out laughing.
Kendall Jenner in La Perla Haute Couture
OK, well..her makeup and hair are amazing. Beautiful and fresh. And as a Kardashian, she knows how to make an entrance and get people talking. But it would have been more interesting to see her in something that went with the theme – even just a little… I also think she was paid a lot of money from La Perla to wear this.
Blake Lively in Atelier Versace
Much better than some of the other Versace dresses on the red carpet last night (looking at you Halle Berry). Those blue feathers are stunning and unexpected. I bet it would’ve have been spectacular to see in real life and Lively wears it well. But there’s something about the neckline and sleeves that feels off.
Reese Witherspoon in Mugler
Like many people, I have a new found love for Witherspoon after watching her in Big Little Lies (if you haven’t seen it, you’re missing out). So it was nice to see her on the red carpet in something a little edgier than usual. And I think it’s impressive she wore custom Mugler. We’re so used to seeing her in gowns meant for wealthy conservative women who attend fundraisers in Palm Beach that this was a pleasant surprise.
Mandy Moore in Michael Kors Collection
Due to the success of her show and recent comeback, Moore is another star having a major moment this year. While this isn’t my favourite look – and I can’t believe this is Michael Kors – I do give it an A for effort because it’s different from anything she’s worn in the past and there’s clearly an effort to pay tribute to the night’s theme and the designer being honoured. I dig the miss-matched earrings too. Another trend we’re going to be seeing more often.
Bella Hadid in Alexander Wang
Another model of the moment (and Gigi’s sister), Bella looked fairly confident in her skin-tight embellished one-piece frock. And while the look doesn’t totally go with the night’s theme, there’s something about wearing a jumpsuit to the Met Gala that feels fresh. And I love the matching diamond Bulgari serpent bracelets. Bella seems like she’s wild so I felt like the look suited her.
Gisele Bundchen in Stella McCartney
Gisele is one of the most successful models of all time and like Katy Perry, she was a co-chair of this year’s gala. But I think she takes herself way too seriously to dress for the night’s theme. I feel like she thinks she’s above something so pretentious. Much like Gwyneth Paltrow. Eye roll.
Anna Wintour In Chanel Couture
Of course Wintour was in Chanel Couture, she always is at the Met Gala. But when it’s her party, you’d think she could have a little more fun with the theme – especially when she’s in charge of every detail. It’s a beautiful dress, and it’s very Chanel and very couture, and VERY expensive. Of course it is…
Bee Shaffer (Anna’s daughter) in Alexander McQueen
This is a stunning dress. Nothing to do with the theme but it’s beautiful. All I could think of when I saw this photo was this: could you imagine if Anna Wintour had a daughter that WASN’T super skinny?! Wintour would be like Faye Dunaway in Mommie Dearest.
Dakota Johnson in Gucci
I appreciate there was some kind of effort by Gucci designer Alessandro Michele to create something in line with the night’s theme but like the Gucci dress Johnson wore to the Oscars this year, this is way off. Like one of those dresses when you should stop while your ahead. Sometimes those few (or ten) extra details aren’t necessary. And why can’t anyone get Johnson’s hair to make some kind of sense?!
Madonna in Moschino
As soon as I saw this dress I fondly reminisced to the days when Madonna was cool. Like her Givenchy outfit at the gala last year, this is another “what was she thinking” moment for the superstar. I’m sure she and Jeremy Scott were trying to be clever but it has a “camo-Barbie” vibe that definitely isn’t working. Her hair looks pretty good though.
Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein
Gwyneth famously complained last time she attended the Met Gala in 2014 saying it was “too crowded” and that she’s never going again. But this year she kindly decided to grace the event with her presence. And she didn’t dress for the theme – she’s above that! I read she only gives her hair and makeup people 45 min to do their work because I’m quite certain in her mind, she doesn’t need it. And what’s with those black shoes?! Next.
Jessica Chastain in Prada
Chastain is lovely and has such a beautiful and friendly smile. But I have no idea who said this Prada dress was a good idea. It’s hard not to miss the similarity to Bell’s yellow dress in Beauty and the Beast. Even her hair is styled like Bell! WHY??? It looks like the Beauty and the Beast dress my four-year old niece has from the Disney store.
Karlie Kloss in Carolina Herrera
What is this look? It’s like sexy-office-worker-chic from the 90s. Is that what they were going for? And if so, why? Kloss could wear anything so how does this happen? Even the hair is styled liked she’s this ambitious (but mysterious) character is a dark/sexy thriller from 1992. One of those straight-to-videos movies.
Katie Holmes in Zac Posen
Another look that has nothing to do with the theme. And haven’t we seen this Zac Posen dress a thousand times – literally. Like, come on. Give us something new, Zac. Or AT LEAST something to discuss.
Celine Dion in Atelier Versace
This would be a good example of what I call unfortunate. But at least she tried.
Katy Perry in Maison Margiela
Of course she wore this. Perry was a co-chair of the Gala this year so she was going to make a statement. She’s just trying WAY too hard. And unlike Rihanna, this look totally overwhelms her. She doesn’t have the same innate coolness to pull it off. And as if Taylor Swift didn’t burst out laughing when she saw this photo…
That’s all folks. Too many dresses to mention. As always, let’s just be thankful Rihanna decided to show. Like how I’m thankful to you for reading!
Casey Wagar 