The grand staircase of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, lit up for the 2015 Met Gala. Image VOGUE.COM/KEVIN TACHMAN
Every year without fail, I look forward to the opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute’s Spring fashion exhibit. Not only does the exhibit’s opening allow fashion lovers a glimpse of rare pieces of haute couture in detail, but the event is always kicked off by THE red carpet benefit, the MET Gala. Each gala celebrates the theme of the new Costume Institute exhibition, which sets the tone for the attendee’s formal dress, as guest are expected to choose outfits that align with the exhibit’s theme.
Gala attendees Annabelle Wallis (left) and Tabitha Simmons chat in one of the main galleries in the Met’s Ancient Egyptian Wing. Image VOGUE.COM/TAYLOR JEWELL
This always results in an interesting mix of fabulous red carpet fashion- both good and bad, with some attendees arriving in glorious couture costumes, many well but plainly turned out, and others… well, looking a real mess.
Model Poppy Delevingne (back turned) and socialite Bianca Brandolini D’Adda share a hug upon arrival to the Met’s Ancient Eqyptian Wing at the start of the Ball. Image VOGUE.COM/DAVID X PUTTING/BFANYC.COM
This year’s theme was “China: Through the Looking Glass”, a retrospective on the impact of Chinese art and culture on international fashion, with an emphasis on examining the cultural exchange between Western fashion and Chinese art. (Ohhhhh what a theme!) To me, the exotic East is one of the richest inspirations for anything style, but its a theme that can pretty easily be taken to overdone kitschy levels. With that in mind, I braced myself for all that could have gone wrong on the red carpet (hairstyles with embellished chopsticks, a cheongsam overdose, geisha makeup?!), but I was happily surprised! The majority of this year’s attendees looked downright glamorous with tasteful and elegant outfits that paid homage to some of the best details of traditional Chinese garb. Many looked stunning.
Designer Stella McCartney (left) and model Cara Delevingne pose for a photo at their dinner table in the Temple of Dendur housed inside the Met’s Sackler Wing. Image VOGUE.COM/TAYLOR JEWELL
Here are some of the best looks from what is quite likely the world’s most fabulous red carpet!
Bee Shaffer
Anna Wintour’s gorgeous daughter looked flawless in this patterned silk Alexander McQueen gown. Image GETTY IMAGES
Li Bingbing
I adore Li Bingbing in this sculptural gown by Dior Haute Couture- she’s gorgeous from every angle! Image GETTY IMAGES/CHINA.ORG
Rihanna
By far the most memorable and dramatic look of the night: Rihanna’s Guo Pei cape was perfectly paired with jewels by Chopard. Image GETTY IMAGES
Ivanka Trump
Ivanka Trump cut a stunning figure in this gorgeous cobalt blue and white column gown by Prabal Gurug and Cindy Chao jewels. Image INDIGITALIMAGES
Fan Bingbing
Another favourite look: Fan Bingbing topped her stunning Christopher Bu gown with a gorgeously beaded cape, Louis Vuitton accessories and Chopard jewels. Image COSMOPOLITIAN.COM/INDIGITALIMAGES
Helen Mirren
The always regal Dame Helen Mirren cut a vivid figure in head-to-toe Dolce and Gabbana. Image STYLE.COM
Gao Yuanyuan
Gao Yuanyuan kept things simple and sweet in this pale blue Micheal Kors number, natural makeup and flowing locks. Image GETTY IMAGES
Karen Elson
Only a model could pull off head-to-toe couture as well as this: Karen Elson slayed in this off the runway look from the Spring 2015 Dolce and Gabbana Alta Moda collection. Image GETTY IMAGES
Georgina Bloomberg
Socialite and equestrian Georgina Bloomberg sparkled from every angle in her custom beaded Badgley Mischka gown. Image GEORGINA BLOOMBERG/INSTAGRAM
Ziyi Zhang
Ziyi Zhang stunned in this gorgeous custom Carolina Herrera gown, Roger Vivier accessories and Cindy Chao jewels. Image GETTY IMAGES
Keri Russell
Keri Russel brought edgy perfection in this feathered Altuzarra dress and Ana Khouri earrings. Image INDIGITALIMAGES
Gong Li
I love this look: Gong Li was absolute perfection in custom Roberto Cavalli and Harry Winston jewels. Image STYLE.COM
Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfried brought some serious drama to the red carpet in her custom white Givenchy Haute Couture gown, Tiffany Co. jewels and some fabulous hair and makeup to boot! Image GETTY IMAGES
Cher(!!!)
Cher (!!!) can do no wrong in my eyes: she slayed in a sequinned Marc Jacobs sheaf and Stephen Webster jewels. Image INDIGITALIMAGES
Courtney Eaton
Another look directly off the runway: Courtney Eaton dazzled in this head-to-toe look from the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Spring 2015 collection. Image GETTY
Maggi Q
Maggie Q shone in this slick embellished two-piece number by Tory Burch. Image GETTY IMAGES/STYLE.COM
Liu Wen
Liu Wen kept things simple in this lacy column gown by Micheal Kors. Image GETTY IMAGES
Lizzy Tisch
Lizzy Tisch looked gorgeous in this fabulous floral gown from the Erdem Fall/winter 2015 collection. Image GETTY IMAGES/VOGUE.COM
Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner sparkled from head to toe in this crystallized jade green Calvin Klein gown and Chopard jewelry. Her hair and makeup game were also suitably on point! Image INDIGITALIMAGES
Lizzy Kaplan
Lizzy Kaplan stunned yet again in a gown by Donna Karen Atelier, she accessorized perfectly with an Edie Parker Clutch and jewels by Jack Vartanian and Carla Amorim. Image GETTY IMAGES/VOGUE.COM
Anna Wintour
Editor in chief of US Vogue and Chairman of the Met’s Costume Institute Anna Wintour rocked the red carpet in this custom gown by Chanel Haute Couture. Image GETTY IMAGES
Joan Smalls
Supermodel Joan Smalls stunned in this sexy sheer gown by Peter Dundas for Roberto Cavalli, Gianvito Rossi accessories and Chopard jewels. Image STYLE.COM
Li Yunchun
Li Yunchun made her Met Gala début in this sharp suit by Givenchy Haute Couture. Image LI YUNCHUN/INSTAGRAM/GETTY IMAGES
Natasha Poly
Proof that you can look phenomenal on a budget: supermodel Natasha Poly sparkled in this gold foil column dress by Topshop. Image NATASHA POLY/INSTAGRAM
Caroline Trentini
Supermodel Caroline Trentini wowed in this sheer black gown by Atelier Versace and Queelin jewels. Image GETTY IMAGES
Shu Pei Qin
Shu Pei Quin stunned in this custom scarlet gown by Tommy Hilfiger (gasp), a crystallized Roger Vivier clutch and Harry Winston jewelry. Image GETTY IMAGES
Adèle Exarchopoulos
Adèle Exarchopoulos sparkled from head to toe in a custom Louis Vuitton gown, an embellished silver Roger Vivier clutch and Bourcheron jewels. Image GETTY IMAGES
Zhu Zhu
Zhu Zhu looked flawless in this monochromatic stunner by Stella McCartney and Queelin jewels. Image GETTY IMAGES
Tabitha Simmons
Tabitha Simmons always wows on the red carpet, this year’s gilded look came completely off the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Spring 2015 runway- headdress and all! Image INDIGITALIMAGES
Feifei Sun
Fei Fei Sun went for drama on the red carpet in this sparkling Micheal Kors number,Lorraine Schwartz jewels and
bombshell-ready hair and makeup. Image GETTY IMAGES
Ni Ni
Actress Ni Ni brought a shot of sunlight to the red carpet in this lemon yellow Ralph Lauren. Image GETTY IMAGES
Nicola Peltz
Nicola Peltz wowed in this draped white gown by Jason Wu for Hugo Boss, Charlotte Olympia accessories and jewels by Graff Diamonds and Harry Winston. Image VOGUE.COM
Rose Byrne
Rose Byrne’s burgundy Calvin Klein gown was a fabulous confection of lacy perforated leather panels and bejewelled studs. It’s the perfect mix of sexy and stunning! Image GETTY IMAGES/STYLE.COM
Zhou Xun
Actress Zhou Xun wowed on the red carpet in head-to-toe Chanel Haute Couture (Fall 2014 collection), Chanel accessories (Spring 2015 collection) and diamonds from the Chanel Fine Jewelry collection. Image ZHOU XUN/ISNTAGRAM
Sienna Miller
Sienna Miller looked gorgeous in a sparkly custom fringed tuxedo by Thakoon, Rauwolf accessories and Jacob & Co. jewels. Image GETTY IMAGES
Naomi Campbell
The fabulous Naomi Campbell always dazzles on the red carpet, so it’s no surprise that she stunned in this glimmering gold Burberry Prorsum gown complete with a feathered fringe. Image INDIGITALIMAGES
Allison Williams
Actress Allison WIlliams cut a dramatic figure in this scarlet gown by Giambattista Valli Haute Couture and glittering Fred Leighton jewels. Image GETTY IMAGES
Candice Swanepoel
The gorgeous Candice Swanepoel looked fabulous in this lacy pailette-encrusted Micheal Kors gown and glimmering jewels by Lorraine Schwartz. Image GETTY IMAGES
Screw it. I'm FIERCE 