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Met Gala 2018 | Best and Worst Dressed

5/10/2018

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I always struggle analyzing and reviewing the Met Costume Gala; it's the ultimate red carpet fashion parade, and there are no real standards of what is or isn't "good" because everything is so over-the-top.

This year's exhibit theme was "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination," which added a level of controversy to the gala. Frustrated Catholics called the fashion parade heretical and claimed the Met was appropriating their culture. This is a hard point to argue, as the Met had support from the Sistine Chapel sacristy and the exhibit was a partnership with The Vatican. The goal of the exhibit was to "examine fashion's ongoing engagement with the devotional practices and traditions of Catholicism," which feels pretty respectful to me.

It also might be mildly hypocritical to complain about a Catholic exhibit being cultural appropriation if you didn't also complain about the "China: Through the Looking Glass" exhibit a few years back.

And it's one thing to be confused or frustrated by the stars attending the gala, but it's another to criticize the exhibit itself, which is STUNNING.
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But anyway. You're not here for my analysis of people's objections to the gala, you're here for PRETTY DRESSES. That's what it's all about.

Best Dressed
Blake Lively in Atelier Versace

Wow. Wow. Wow. I just can't stop looking at this. From the headpiece to her hair and makeup to the bodice detail to the sheer panels to the embroidery to the MILE LONG TRAIN. She looks decadent, opulent, and completely on-theme without being obnoxiously over-the-top. This is everything that Met Gala fashion should be.
Rihanna in Maison Margiela

Okay, this might be what the staunch Catholics are questioning, and the hat might be a tad on-the-nose. But one simply can't argue with the craftsmanship that went into this look - the beading is incredible, and if Rihanna had shown up in anything less than this, I think we would have all been disappointed.
Ariana Grande in Vera Wang

This is the best Ariana has ever looked, and you truly can't get any more on-theme than putting the Sistine Chapel on your dress.
Amanda Seyfried in Prada

A lot of influences went into this look - some said it resembled a Renaissance-era Juliet, others said it had notes of Greco-Roman art. Whatever the intentions, the result was effortlessly romantic.
Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton

Emma has partnered with Louis Vuitton many times before and the results are always impeccable. Some thought it leaned a little too far into Michael Jackson territory, but whatever the inspiration Emma looks her best when she pulls out a good menswear look, and this was no exception.
Chadwick Boseman in Versace

Men often struggle with Met Gala fashion - they either just wear a basic tux or they swing too far into left field (i.e. Jared Leto dressing up like Jesus this year.) Chadwick hit all the right marks and is quickly becoming a red carpet favorite.
Lena Waithe in Carolina Herrera

Leave it to Lena to think 'Oh, the theme is Catholicism? I'll wear an LGBT flag as a superhero cape.' I appreciate the fact that she made a strong statement without disparaging anyone else. That's how you do politics on the red carpet.
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Who Wore it Better?
Angel Wings
Evan Rachel Wood in Altuzarra and Katy Perry in Versace

Katy's look is fine for the stage, but at the end of the day she looks like a pop star trying to be cool at the Met. Evan's longtime partnership with Altuzarra really shines, and her wings are far more effortless (can we just picture Katy trying to walk through a door with those cumbersome things?)
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Armor
Lili Reinhart in H&M and Zendaya in Versace

This is a tie in my book. Zendaya was the perfect Joan of Arc, but Lili's dress portrayed romance and femininity within its strength. Both were styled to perfection and were a unique departure from a sea of gold gowns.
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Gold with a Slit
Gabrielle Union in Prabal Gurung and Jasmine Sanders in H&M

Supposedly Gabrielle wore yellow because it's the color of the Vatican flag, but unfortunately she looked like an out-of-place highlighter. Because she added the matchy-matchy shoe and the oddly contrasting silver jewelry, everything about the look was just off. Jasmine's gown, on the other hand, looked like molten metal and the draping was perfection.
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Burgundy
Priyanka Chopra in Ralph Lauren and Scarlett Johansson in Marchesa

Scarlett wore Marchesa to stand up for Georgina Chapman in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, and to make the point that the sins of a man should not effect the career of a woman. I completely agree, and it's a gorgeous dress...for the Oscars. The Met Gala is all about bold statements, and this gown is so pretty and soft that it falls flat. Priyanka's dress is simple but daring, and the color couldn't be any better for her.
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Headpieces and Trains
Sarah Jessica Parker in Dolce & Gabanna and Cardi B in Moschino
Sarah Jessica Parker is the queen of the Met Gala and often takes the theme VERY seriously. This year she went so far as to wear a nativity scene on her head. Even so, because of the shape of her gown, the look wasn't overwhelming and the styling was spot on. Cardi B's look was way too much of a good thing. I like the headpiece, but without the necklace. I like the sleeves, but without the gloves. I like the dress, but without the duvet-cover train. If she was trying to knock off Beyonce's maternity Grammy's look, it just wasn't successful.
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Worst Dressed
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Liza Koshy

I'm more than supportive of new media entering the high-fashion world, but this just gives YouTubers a bad name. Liza may have only been there as a correspondent, but her outfit looks like she picked it up at the last minute from Forever 21. Definitely not Met Gala worthy.
Frances McDormand

Frances has become everyone's favorite wack-a-do this year. Outlandish is par for the course at the Met Gala, but I simply can't get behind wearing a salad on your head.
Kim Kardashian-West

There were a lot of gold sequins at the gala this year, and they all just felt like a cop-out. Shiny gold doesn't equate to being on-theme, and the the crosses on Kim's gown look like she got iron-on patches from Urban Outfitters and slapped them on as a last-ditch effort.
Doutzen Kroes

This might work for Met Gala Barbie, but pink and purple ombre in real-life doesn't have the same effect.
Selena Gomez

Okay - but is she pregnant?!? If you're trying to hide a pregnancy, putting on a blatantly obvious maternity dress doesn't help much. If you're not pregnant, putting on a blatantly obvious maternity dress doesn't help much.
Tracee Ellis Ross

This look was supposedly "inspired by the robes Catholic priests wear on Laetare (Rejoice) Sunday to mark the joyous half-way point to Easter." That may be true, but it's a loose interpretation at best. They're both pink, but there are no other similarities, and Tracee's look is more Hairspray-esque than anything else.

Jaden Smith

His date is his album. His DATE. Is his ALBUM. And he's wearing sneakers to the Met Gala. NO. Everything about this is very, very wrong.

Photos Courtesy of EOnline and Fashionista.

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Met Gala 2016 | Best and Worst Dressed

5/9/2016

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I'll be honest, the Met Costume Gala was just not on my radar this year, but thanks to my friend, Lydia, who requested a "best and worst dressed" review before I even knew the Gala was happening, I will gladly provide my feedback.

It’s always pretty difficult to determine the “best and the worst” in Met Gala fashion; ridiculousness is expected, and as I said last year, the line between what is good and what is bad is weird and blurry.
 
This year's Gala theme was "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology." It seemed like a lot of guests took that to mean:
1. "Oh, so I can dress like a robot and that will work fine."
2. "So I can just cover myself in sequins and beading? Cool."
3. "Yeah, I have no idea what this theme means so I'm going to wear a totally plain dress and call it a day."
4. "I can wear something off-theme as long as I mention that technology created my outfit," (*cough cough* SARAH JESSICA PARKER.)

Overall I thought there were a lot of missed opportunities when it came to the theme, but there were still some clear winners that stood out.
Best Tech Dresses
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The dress was intertwined with fiber-optic threads, and in the darkness of the museum it epitomized a digital-age Cinderella.
Claire Danes in Zac Posen

When I first saw this dress on the carpet, I immediately knew it was a Posen dress but I was also immediately disappointed. "It's just a pretty white ballgown," I thought. "No good at all for this particular theme." But guys. I was wrong. The dress freaking GLOWS.
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In partnership with IBM, Marchesa created a gown with LED floral appliques that lit up and changed color as viewers would react to the gown online. I have no words for such genius.
Karolina Kurkova in Marchesa

This was another gown that I didn't fully understand or appreciate without some post-Gala research. As I was yelling at my computer thinking that yet another star wore a dress unsuited for the theme, I discovered that her dress also included a light-up factor.
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Kate Hudson in Atelier Versace

I'm always just happy to see Kate wear anything that isn't gold or midriff-baring (which, given how many interpreted the theme, she easily could have done,) but instead she arrived in a sculptural dress created primarily with 3D printed materials.

I've enjoyed seeing the use of 3D printing on Project Runway the past few seasons, and I'm looking forward to seeing it used more frequently by designers in the future.
Best Sustainable Looks
Emma Watson, Margot Robbie, and Luptia Nyong'o
in Calvin Klein Collection


Emma, Margot, and Lupita partnered with Eco-Age for their #GreenCarpetChallenge, which inspired stars to consider eco-friendliness when choosing their red carpet looks.

Emma's 5-piece outfit was woven from plastic bottles, organic cotton, and recycled zippers. Each piece can be separated and worn again.

Lupita's jade sequin gown was travel-emission conscious, created in entirety in Calvin Klein's New York atelier.

Margot's sleek sheath featured recycled zippers as well, and was pure organic silk.

Each look was entirely different, and they each represented how sustainable fashion can suit any style.

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Best Black + Metal
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Nicole Kidman in Alexander McQueen

Love it or hate it, Nicole has always known how to work the red carpet. I thought the top could have used a little more coverage, but let's be real, when a woman throws on a stunning cape and a crown, you give the queen credit where it's due.
Alexa Chung in Thakoon

I'm always a sucker for a great jumpsuit. This is one of the best red carpet jumpsuits I've ever seen, and it was reflective of the theme in both aesthetics and technicality. The detail is exquisite, and Alexa's styling is perfect. Bravo.
 Taylor Swift in Louis Vuitton

I completely understand why this look got a lot of mixed reviews. This is definitely not the Taylor Swift we're used to seeing, and it did skew a little on the costume side.

That said, her overall vibe felt like a gorgeous alien in a Star Wars cantina, and I'm kind of down with that. I'll take a space princess pop star any day.
Best Silver and Gold
Kylie Jenner in Balmain

Kylie was one of many who joined the #BalmainArmy at the Met Gala, but I think she rocked it the best. The other Balmain looks were top-heavy and too literal in the armor motif. This one was delicate and deco while still showing strength.
Rachel McAdams in Valentino

Rachel's red carpet looks have been all over the road this season, but she hit this one out of the park.

I don't know what the skirt says, and I don't even care. Give me a dress with words on it and the writer in me geeks out.
Rita Ora in Vera Wang

I was pretty horrified when Tim Gunn said he thought this look was vulgar and inappropriate. For a fashion exhibit that showcased technical details in fashion, how can you not appreciate this?

It was futuristic and feminine all rolled into one, and I wish the carpet had been filled with more dramatic moments like this one.
Kate Bosworth in Dolce & Gabbana

Photographs don't do this dress justice at all. The beaded details in the bodice and the headpiece glittered in the light and Kate looked like a glowing elven queen. It was a perfect couture moment for the Gala.
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Best for Last Year's Theme
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Beyonce in Givenchy

To say that this look would have been better suited for last year is by no means a criticism. Beyonce looks (to no one's surprise) jaw-droppingly gorgeous. And as far as this year's theme goes, it is a technological feat to create a red carpet gown out of latex...weird as that concept might be.

The flowers just read a little "cherry blossom" to me, and if she had worn this gown to last year's "China: Through the Looking Glass" Gala, no one would have questioned its place.
Mia Wasikowska in Prada and
Blake Lively in Burberry


These gowns were gorgeous, but not only were they they representative of China in color and styling, they didn't fit the bill of "Fashion in the Age of Technology."

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Worst Dressed
Dakota Johnson in Gucci

I think Dakota is finally out of her "Bella Swan at the Prom" phase, but when the theme is about technology, why would you wear a dress that looks like an elementary school craft project?
Alicia Vikander in Louis Vuitton

This was Tim Gunn's favorite look of the night, and for the life of me I can't understand why. Everything but the kitchen sink is attached to this dress with no cohesiveness. And why is she wearing Avril Lavigne's hiking boots? It's simply ridiculous.
Zoe Kravitz in Valentino

Since when does "Fashion in the Age of Technology" means "Evil Witch Tinkerbell at the Masquerade Prom?" I know it's all up to interpretation, but I don't think the interpreter even knew the language.
Nicki Manaj in Moschino

If you're going to go with a bondage thing, throw on some leather and a corset and carry a whip. Nicki didn't even commit to her bad look. If you're going to go off-theme, at least go all the way.
Madonna in Givenchy

I think Madonna and Nicki thought they were going to the same party. Unbelievably, Madonna looks worse. I mean, come on. Absolutely freaking not.
Grimes in Louis Vuitton

This dress is literally being held together with safety pins. If that's what you call "Fashion in the Age of Technology," then I think you need an upgrade from the DOS system.
Lady Gaga in Atelier Versace

Of all the Met Gala themes, this one gave me extremely high expectations of Lady Gaga. I think we all assumed she would ride in on an LED unicorn and come dressed as a glittering disco ball.

To start, her hair and makeup was atrocious. It aged her tremendously and made the whole look skew 80s punk.

The fishnet tights added to the whole 80s vibe, and I just didn't get it. This look could have been great! I loved the circuit board-styled jacket and the corset, but the rest just fell flat and looked like a standard Gaga stage outfit. If she had shown up with the same top paired with a neon glowing ballgown skirt, I would have been all about it.

All that said, I do give her credit for hiking up the Met staircase in those shoes.
Sarah Jessica Parker in Monse

I have to take a few deep breaths for this one.

Sarah Jessica Parker is usually all about the Met Gala theme. Even if you hate what she's wearing, you can't ever fault her for being off-theme. EVER.

This year, she showed up as Hamilton. Then she got snarky and pissy when people said "Yo, the theme was technology and you're dressed like HAMILTON."

Then, as a defense, she said "perhaps you weren't aware of the technology used in the details and embellishments of the design."

Sorry, honey. I'm very well aware, and it's not an extraordinary feat of technological brilliance. You're off theme and your outfit is basic. Own up to it.
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All photos from Eonline, Huffington Post, Vanity Fair, smashd.co, and Upworthy.

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Met Gala 2015 | Best and Worst Dressed

5/11/2015

1 Comment

 
Okay, friends.  I seriously debated whether or not to post about the Met Gala, because the Met Gala is not like other award shows or red carpet events.  It's an event for really wealthy people to flaunt fashion at a COSTUME institute.  To a certain degree, ridiculousness is absolutely expected.  In some cases, it's required...it's high fashion!  It's avant-garde!  Not everything is supposed to look pretty and neat and glamourous, and because of that, the line between "best and worst dressed" can be weird and blurry.

This year's Gala theme was "China: Through the Looking Glass," and you guys asked for my humble opinions. I'd hate to disappoint, so here we go:

Best in Red

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Poppy Delevingne

While this dress was kind of an ironic homage to Poppy's name, I really loved the look as a whole.  It was just the right shade of red for her skin tone, the floral detailing was exquisite, and I loved the flow of the skirt.  Hair and makeup was completely flawless.
Sienna Miller in Thakoon

I fully admit that this is a bit "matador" and might have been more appropriate for a Spain themed Met Gala, but I'm willing to overlook that because I like it. 

Basically, this is the kind of thing I wanted Emma Stone to wear to the Oscars a few months ago.  And she didn't, so I'm settling for it on Sienna.
Amal Clooney in Maison Margiela

I was definitely glad to see George and Amal present at the Met Gala after their lack of appearance at the Oscars.  And really, Amal couldn't have turned it out any better.  She has the perfect skin tone for that shade of red, and this dress was a great representation of the level of couture that should be shown at the Met.  LOVE.
Helen Mirren in Dolce & Gabbana

All I can say is if I look half as wonderful as Helen Mirren when I get to be her age, I'll be a very happy camper.  Like, she's wearing a SEE THROUGH top and it isn't remotely slutty!  How does she do these things?!?

Let's make her queen.

Best in Gold

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Anne Hathaway in Ralph Lauren

I totally understand the internet's wealth of "Princess Leia" references, but...I actually didn't mind this.  It's the Met Gala!  Things are supposed to be a little weird.  And of all the weird things that showed up on the red carpet, this was pretty tame.  Also, if you're going to wear a Princess Leia dress, 2015 is the year to do it!

I just really liked the gold on Anne's skin tone - it looked RICH.  And her makeup couldn't have looked any better.
Lizzy Caplan in Donna Karan Atelier

Let's all take a moment and remember that this woman played Janis Ian in Mean Girls.  I have no idea how or when she became so glamourous and refined, but I'll take it any day of the week.
Rihanna in Guo Pei

This was another look that got slammed with internet memes, but I think that's a tad unfair.

THIS is the kind of thing that the Met Gala lives for.  This is the kind of thing we EXPECT Rihanna to wear on the daily.  Plus the theme was "China Through the Looking Glass."  Given that theme, Rihanna wouldn't show up in anything less than this, and if she did we'd all be bored.

The gold tone looks fantastic on her skin.  She looks like semi-ridiculous opulent royalty.  I can't complain!

Best in Black

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Cara Delevingne in Stella McCartney

I would like to share with you the conversation I had with my mother about this look:

Mom:  Ew, there's this girl, Cara...Del...vin..gen..
Me:  Cara Delevingne?
Mom:  Yeah.  She's covered in these awful tattoos!
Me:  Those aren't real, mom.  They're temporary for the event to go with the China theme.
Mom:  Oh.  Good.  Because they're awful.

I don't have strong feelings either way about the tats.  But I LOVE the jumpsuit.

And now, in addition to having Cara Delevingne eyebrow goals, I have Cara Delevingne boob goals.  Am I right or am I right?
Julianne Moore in Givency
Haute Couture


Julianne wore Givency Couture to the SAG awards (remember that green dress?)  and she looked completely fabulous then and now. 

I move that Givency dresses Julianne forever.  Does anyone second that motion?  All in favor?
Carey Mulligan in Balenciaga

This look is almost a little too chic for the Met Gala, but I felt the need to include it BECAUSE of how chic it is.  Carey Mulligan wins my heart every time, for serious.  This is the kind of dress I would kill to have in my closet, and she is always styled to absolute perfection.

P.S. to those who are thinking of wearing a high-low dress to the carpet in the future: these are the kinds of shoes you wear!

Best in White

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Dianna Agron

Because this dress is a subtle nod to the China theme and it's not too over the top, it might cross into "too simple for the Met Gala" territory, but it's just...so freaking pretty.  And that's all I have to say.
Zhang Ziyi in Carolina Herrera

This look really couldn't be any more perfect.  It has the qualities of Chinese traditionalism with a modern, funky twist.  Carolina Herrera is the queen of dressing women in white, and I think it was an excellent choice for this event.
Amanda Seyfried in Givenchy
Haute Couture

This is the best Amanda Seyfried has looked in a very long time.  I loved how her dress was somewhat structured on top, but also very ethereal and soft.  It's a good juxtaposition for her.  She also looks phenomenal in white, and the berry lip is a great look.

Diane Kruger in Chanel Haute Couture

This look reminds me of things I've seen in vintage photos of 1920s movie stars walking the carpet at a premiere.  You (generally) can never go wrong with Chanel, and this look captured the essence of the theme without taking itself too seriously.

Oh yeah, and her man looks pretty great too.

Worst Dressed

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Sarah Jessica Parker

Okay, I'm not going to rip into this one as much as the rest of the internet.  It's a Phillip Treacy hat, and if you are given the opportunity to EVER wear a Phillip Treacy hat, you do it.  And to Treacy's credit, the hat fit the theme incredibly well.

My problem is the dress, WITH the hat.  Sarah could have worn the dress without the hat, or the hat with a plain black dress.  But all together?  It's way too much of the wrong thing.
Dakota Johnson in
Chanel Haute Couture


I *really* wish this girl would stop getting invited to red carpet events so she can stop looking like Bella Swan at the prom EVERY TIME. 

This dress is TOO SMALL and TOO SHORT.  Her shoulders are up to her EARS, probably because she's trying to HOLD THE DRESS UP. 

Just staaahhhppp.
Grace Coddington

I realize that Grace Coddington is Grace Coddington and she can do and wear whatever she wants, but really?  Pajamas and slippers to the Met Gala?  I night dedicated to celebrating high fashion and costume design?  Nuh uh.

Oh the bright side, I did enjoy that she left the gala and got straight on a plane in the same outfit.  In that way, she was kind of a genius.
FKA Twigs

There is a penis on her dress.

I don't think I need to say anything else.
Beyonce

Come on, Queen B.  We all know you're hot.  You don't have to do things like this!  Don't become like J-Lo!!!!!!!

Being outlandish and avant-garde is one thing, but being NAKED on the carpet is another.  I don't really need to be seeing all that...all that.

Ugh. So much disappoint.

All photos courtesy of Vogue and Mashable.

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