Last night the stars and designers came out to the annual Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala, where the theme of the night was “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” and paid tribute to the late-great designer Lee McQueen.
While the glitzy red carpet was filled with actresses, models, singers, and designers wearing one of McQueen’s designs, there were also many that weren’t but could’ve easily “stopped New York traffic”. It was tough, boy was it tough, but I was able to narrow down some of my favorites from the night. You might be surprised by some of my choices, you might not. You’ll probably agree with a lot of them — or you may not.
I enjoyed watching the many stars strut across the carpet in their gala best, but was also felt under whelmed by many, put off by some, and just “meh” about others. Then there were those who looked great, but just not MET Gala worthy. Everyone mentioned on the following list is obviously not in any of the above categories. Although there were several stunners, they just couldn’t make the list or else it would’ve been way too long to be worth a read. I hope these are worth it to you.
____________________________________________________________
Kristen Stewart in Proenza Schouler
All eyes were on Kristen Stewart when she arrived at the MET last night, and with good reason, the Twilight beauty hit the red carpet looking fierce! Kristen was dressed in a one-of-a-kind high neck ruby red, black graphic paillette floor length dress with a double high side slit designed by Proenza Schouler. She attended the gala with the designers, Jack McCullough and Lazaro Hernandez.
One thing I love about Kristen is that you never see her overloading with accessories, she always lets her dress do the talking. Last night was no different as she only wore some super cool 19th century Berlin iron scrollwork bracelets by Fred Leighton on both wrists.
Last year she received mix reviews for her tightly twisted hairstyle, but all that is forgotten after last night’s effortlessly chic tousled loose up-do by Fekkai stylist Adir Abergel. Her make-up was also simply chic. Make-up artist Beau Nelson gave her a light glow with nude lips and edgy smokey eyes with COVERGirl products.
Kristen’s MET look was finished off with a clutch and Fall 2011 multi-strap sandals – the back design of the shoes matched the print of her dress! – by Proenza Schouler.
Emma Stone in Lanvin
As pretty as rose. Actress Emma Stone arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala last night in a custom black & white floral rose print silk-satin strapless gown by Alber Elbaz, head designer of the fashion house Lanvin.
I’m not a huge fan of floral prints, never have been and probably never will be, but Emma clearly swayed my opinion last night in this gown. I feel like it’s hard to wear a heavy print and not come off looking like a bed spread, but she proved it possible.
Not distracting, but instead complementing, she wore long crystal drop earrings that just grazed her shoulder enough to stand out. Her new blonde hair (she dyed it for her role in the upcoming “Spider-Man” flick) was tossed up with side swept bangs. As if the print on her gown didn’t pop enough, Emma had the perfect pout with bold pink lips.
Emma completed her look with black satin asymmetrical cutaway pumps with grosgrain heels also by Lanvin.
Ashley Greene in Donna Karan
Wow.
That was the only word to describe my reaction to Ashley Greene’s one-of-a-kind nude tulle strapless gown with platinum sequins in fishbone pattern by Donna Karan. This was simply the best gown I’ve ever seen by Donna Karan, I was blown away having already been a fan of the label. The detail and train were so eye-catching that it was almost hard to miss the way Ashley posed in it.
With a gown like that you don’t have to do much — you’re beautiful almost by default — but I would’ve liked to have seen more smiling, more hand on hip…I just wanted her to werk it. Maybe it was just the photos I came across, I haven’t seen any where she’s doing anything more than a smirk. Hopefully some will come about. Ashley looked kind of terrified to really move in it, but it was probably heavy…yeah…that was it. I feel for her having to move around all night in it, but when it’s that pretty I can’t feel all that bad.
She looked fantastic though. I loved the low side-gathered bun, the glamorous make-up, and her accessories. Ashley wore a diamond cuff and drop earrings by Lorraine Schwartz, carried an evening clutch by Judith Leiber, and walked tall in sexy – but hidden – “Wagner” gunmetal pumps by Brian Atwood that matched the sequin detail in her gown perfectly.
Michelle Williams in Miu Miu
I was glad to see Michelle Williams on the carpet last night, and more than pleased with her choice gown. In fact, I think this is the best look I’ve ever seen her in! Michelle’s custom-made black cady silk open back dress enriched with micro-sequin gold swallow embroidery and grosgrain bow details accenting the shoulders and waist by Miu Miu was gorgeous.
Miu Miu often has their prints all over, but the strategically placed swallows were perfect and allowed for the silhouette of the dress to stand out. The draping at the open sleeves and detail at the top added depth.
I think I loved her hair and make-up almost as much as the dress. Michelle had been sporting nearly white locks, but that seemed to be toned down last night with some dark golden tresses. She also added gold tones to the eye and nude lipstick with just a bit of sparkle.
Michelle finished off with two bracelets, one black and the other gold. Chic.
Diane Kruger in Jason Wu
Legs for days! Diane Kruger was head-to-toe perfect last night at the MET Gala in her Jason Wu FW11 gown featuring a sequin embroidered paillete nude long sleeve top attached to a black, extremely high cut, side slit skirt. The dress was equal parts mystical and glamorous and Diane was just the woman to wear it.
Not only did the dress earn her a place on my ‘Best Dressed’ list, but the way she posed in it just added ferocity to it. The only problem is that I saw virtually no photos of her smiling. I believe there’s a fine line between giving sultry and just looking annoyed…Diane straddled that line last night. Luckily, facial expressions don’t make or break you if you’re dressed that good — and she was dressed that good.
I love that she didn’t wear clunky pumps and kept it sleek with ankle strap sandals. Siren red lipstick and “old Hollywood glamour” side swept curls completed her look.
Gisele Bundchen in Alexander McQueen
The late-great fashion designer Lee McQueen was honored last night at the MET Gala, the theme of the night was “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” and what a beauty model Gisele Bunchen was in one of his archived strapless ball gowns from his Fall 2005 ready-to-wear collection. Gisele was simply statuesque that if I didn’t know she was already insanely tall, I would swear she was on stilts. Check out the detailing of the way the skirt fans out. Gorgeous.
A few diamonds here, some sexy waves in her hair there, and Gisele was ready for a night just like this one.
Ginnifer Goodwin in Topshop
Yes, it’s Topshop…can you believe that? Ginnifer Goodwin gave me a little bit glamour, some sexiness, mystique and…I can can kinda see a little bit of Peter Pan going on – in the best way. I loved the green shade of her silk twisted front long sleeve gown with a deep v-neck, side cut-out, and slit skirt. On someone else, such as Rihanna, this dress might’ve bordered on “too sexy” but Ginnifer kept it clean.
The entire outfit was tied together. Ginnifer accessorized with a green and turquoise stone necklace, a navy blue Kotur LTD clutch, and Aperlai “Karine” sandals also in navy and turquoise which made everything work in sync. I’m a huge fan of her spiky ‘do and light turquoise eye shadow. You’ll hear no complaints from me on this one.
Evan Rachel Wood in Gucci Première
Evan Rachel Wood arrived at the MET Gala last night in a gorgeous couture Gucci Première plum silk georgette sleeveless evening gown with plunging neckline, hematite oval embroidery and Swarovski crystal cluster detail around the waist.
Evan was another example of ‘letting the dress do the talking’ last night. She kept her make-up beautiful but not overwhelming. Her hair was interestingly twisted atop her head, and her jewels were stunning. Evan’s nails even matched the plum of her gown!
Her look was completed with pewter sequin sandals and a matching python clutch also by Gucci Première.
In the recent years, Nightforce levitra side effects has added two more models to the Competition range. brand levitra online Set off details are various from Acupressure factors which block power pathways of the system. It acts by enhancing the smooth muscles relaxation using nitric oxide products this stimulates a huge release of Growth Hormone into the system around training times which viagra super store has shown in numerous studies to vastly improve performance and body composition. The pill levitra 20mg online increases your sex drive and stamina naturally without any fear of side effects.
Demi Moore in Prabal Gurung
Still riding high off the royal wedding style this past weekend, Demi Moore stepped out at the MET Gala in a Prabal Gurung FW11 gorgeous feather and sequin embroidered gown complete with a matching “fascinator” headpiece by Philip Treacy. I was happy to see that she didn’t take “costume gala” overboard but still went all out.
Demi took is a step further than the previous ladies on the list as far as jewels go. The actress loaded up on nearly half a million dollars in Cartier jewels which included platinum and four diamond drop earrings, a white gold, diamond, and onyx cocktail ring and a white gold, diamond, and onyx band. Dripping in diamonds!
Demi finished off her look with Casadei pumps.
Emma Roberts in Michael Kors
I was eagerly awaiting Emma Roberts’ appearance last night when I heard she’d be in Michael Kors. While I was expecting something off the runway from the latest Fall 2011 ready-to-wear collection and I knew I’d most likely love it, I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do. The “Scream 4” actress has been doing really well on the red carpet as of late. I’ve pretty much liked everything she’s worn, but this takes the cake.
Emma wore a custom white silk crepe column gown with black paillette detail. Emma accessorized with a black crocodile envelope clutch also by Michael Kors. Loose curls and Chopard jewels were all Emma needed for the night.
Blake Lively in Chanel Haute Couture
When word spread that Blake Lively would arrive at the MET Gala on the arm of Karl Lagerfeld wearing Chanel haute couture, I had a feeling it’d be from the archive collection. I also thought it’d be short. I was both right and wrong — and happy about both.
There’s no denying that Blake has a pair of killer gams, but for once her dress stood out more than they did. Blake wore a beige tulle paillette embroidered dress with chiffon sash from the Fall/Winter 2009/10 haute couture collection which she paired with matching “Anna” sandals by Christian Louboutin. Who else thought she’d find a way to wear the “Blake” by Loubie last night? Ah well.
Just a few days ago Blake shocked us all with a very strawberry red new hair color that suit her at all, but it looks like it’s been toned down and worked well with the colors of her dress. She dyed it for an upcoming movie role and will go back to her blonde locks in time to resume filming of “Gossip Girl” later this year.
Kate Hudson in Stella McCartney
It wasn’t extravagant, but it was gorgeous. I loved every bit of Kate Hudson’s look last night. The very pregnant “Something Borrowed” actress wore a beautifully crafted custom strapless gown with crystal details by Stella McCartney.
Kate kept her blonde tresses long and wavy while creating somewhat of a goddess look with an added crystal brooch in the center of her hair.
As always Kate looked lovely, but her feet must have been killing her by the end of the night. She wore nude sky-high triple platform pumps by Casadei.
Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen
It would’ve felt wrong had Sarah Jessica Parker wore anyone but one of the beautiful gowns by her dear friend. Like Gisele, SJP chose a chic beaded long sleeve metallic gown from Alexander McQueen‘s FW05 runway collection.
I felt like the gown really suited her height and frame, and I love how she added just a bit of popping color with green satin pumps. There was something very retro about her hairstyle which I thought was awesome and kind of reminded me of a style you’d see on models walking a McQueen runway presentation.
Sarah kept it simple, but she didn’t refrain from gorgeous diamonds as she wore a pair of earrings, a brooch, and rings all by Fred Leighton.
Madonna in Stella McCartney
How stunning is Madonna’s Stella McCartney gown? Not only did Madge look fabulous from the neck up with beautiful curls and a striking red lip color, but the color of her satin gown complimented her skin so well. I fell in love with it the minute I saw a photo of her carpet. There’s nothing better than a dress you love at first glance without seeing much detail, so you can only imagine what I thought when I saw that the entire back was embroidered with glittering silver stars!
I can honestly say that, to me, this is the best Madonna has ever looked. I expected her to be one of the ladies in McQueen, but it was a pleasant and interesting turn of a events.
Madonna completed her look with lots of Cartier jewels – didn’t really need the necklace, but oh well – and a pair of Sergio Rossi platform sandals.
Coco Rocha in Alexander McQueen
I almost completely missed model Coco Rocha last night as I didn’t see any photos of her walking the red carpet. I’m glad there were at least a few photographs of her at the gala because then we wouldn’t have seen how amazing she looked in this Sarah Burton designed Alexander McQueen PF11 halter gown with gold detail and feather embroidery. I just think this dress is such a flattering shape. More often than not, McQueen’s dresses are more interesting than they are wearable, but that was not the case for Coco’s choice.
More than just loving the dress, I was definitely loving her gold jewelry, dramatic winged eye-makeup, and pompadour half-up hairstyle. Very appropriate for the night and a great way to pay tribute to Mr. McQueen.
Coco finished off with shoes and a embroidered clutch also from the collection.
Honorable Mentions: Fergie in Marchesa & Janelle Monáe in Chanel / Dolce & Gabbana
I debated putting Fergie on the list because I wasn’t feeling her in this Marchesa platinum embroidered illusion column gown with flared tulle skirt, but I just can’t get over the gown. It’s my favorite from the Fall 2011 ready-to-wear collection, but I think it might be my most favorite gown designed by Marchesa – ever.
Fergie got props from me for simply wearing it last night at the gala. Not only is it creative, but the beautiful detailing that went into it is amazing. I don’t think I could’ve imagined the MET Gala happening last night and this gown not being apart of it.
As for Janelle Monáe, I just love her. She’s new to these major galas but she has a “look” already and knows how to work it. She makes menswear look so good for women. The singer arrived at the MET Gala last night wearing YSL black pumps with a Chanel Fall 2011 ruffled high neck blouse and black satin pants that she topped off with…well, a top hat. So cool…I can’t even.
Later that night she performed with Bruno Mars and they both rocked tuxedos by Dolce & Gabbana. Janelle’s FW11 black sequined blazer with arched lapels is, forgive me for this, “winning”. It just is. Don’t judge me. I wish we had better photos of it, but luckily designer Prabal Gurung was able to provide us with this photo he tweeted last night.
Do you agree or disagree? Who was your best dressed pick? Leave your comments below.
Follow @courtjustice on Twitter.