It’s that time of the year again for fashion’s most stylish event – the Costume Institute Gala – or more affectionately known as the Met Ball as it is held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City every May. Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue USA, handpicks her guests and hosts, and this year she has chosen to host alongside Salma Hayek and Colin Firth.
Behind the scenes of 2011 Costume Institute Gala
This year, the honour is dedicated to the late great Alexander McQueen, in celebration of the opening of the museum’s new Alexander McQueen retrospective exhibition, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, which was first unveiled in London by Anna Wintour and Samantha Cameron during fashion week in February. McQueen will be sorely missed on the red carpet, but his legend lives on through his passionate fans who showed up dressed in his creations to honour him.
The McQueen Team who arrived in Alexander McQueen.
Tribute to Tartan: Marc Jacobs & Robert Duffy, Anna Dello Russo, Hamish Bowles
McQueen's girlfriends: Sarah Burton (head designer of Alexander McQueen), Daphne Guinness (patriotic fan), Naomi Campbell (muse)
McQueen's supermodels: Gisele Bundchen, Coco Rocha, Karen Elson, Raquel Zimmermann
Fierce fans: Sarah Jessica Parker, Chloe Sevigny, Hillary Rhoda
The Hosts
Hosts for Met Ball 2011: Anna Wintour in Chanel couture, Livia Giuggioli in Stella McCartney and Colin Firth in Tom Ford, François-Henri Pinault and Salma Hayek in Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney
Every year, Anna Wintour is known to wear Chanel couture to the Met Ball, but one would think that given the circumstances, she would wear a vintage Alexander McQueen in his honour. Even Karl Lagerfeld wore Tom Ford last night. I guess old habits die hard. She still looks fashionable enough I guess. There are hundreds of superstars – models, actors, singers, designers – who attended last night and it was hard to make a choice of the best dressed people. But I have made a list of the outfits I love, I loathe and I don’t care.
The Good
I want your dresses: Isabel Lucas in Louis Vuitton, Michelle Williams in custom Miu Miu, Diane Kruger in Jason Wu
Not only beautiful, but stylish too. Definitely fashionistas that I admire, especially Michelle Williams with her unique style. Isabel Lucas is the boho chica while Diane Kruger is so blessed with good genes that she just looks amazing in anything.
Peek a boo, sexy's back: Ginnifer Goodwin in custom Topshop, Rosie Huntington - Whitney in Burberry, Emma Roberts in Michael Kors
Who would have thought sexy outfits are back in vogue! I would never dare wear them, but like they say if you’ve got it, flaunt it. I love that the gowns are still tastefully worn with beautiful matching accessories and they still look so glamorous.
Classy actresses: Liv Tyler in Givenchy, Gwyneth Paltrow and Naomi Watts in Stella McCartney
Classic beauties and award winning actresses always keep it real on the red carpet. Loving the gorgeous hair, light pastels, shimmers and feathers, ladies.
Young Hollywood starlets turning heads: Mia Wasikowska in Thakoon, Emily Browning in Marc Jacobs, Hailee Steinfield in Stella McCartney
Flower power girls: Dakota Fanning in Valentino, Emma Stone in Lanvin, Saoirse Ronan in Rodarte
Young Hollywood girls these days have it all: talent, looks, great sense of fashion and hot boyfriends. Barely in their twenties these girls have what it takes to bring red carpet fashion to the next level.
Short & Sheer: Chanel Iman in D&G, Alexa Chung in Christopher Kane, Elle Fanning in Valentino
Redefining casual in these high octane sheer and sweet dresses. Alexa Chung, let me raid your closet!
Shining, shimmering supermodels: Amber Valletta in Stella McCartney, Bar Rafaeli, Angela Lindvall and Karlie Kloss in Christian Dior
Dress to Impress: Shalom Harlow in Marchesa, Ashley Greene in custom Donna Karan, Taylor Swift in J.Mendel
Absolutely breath-taking gowns. These are way better quality than the Oscars.
The Bad
Without further ado, let’s see the looks that I cannot decide to love or loathe, but I definitely have seen better.
Black Swan vs White Swan: Christina Ricci in Zac Posen, Miranda Kerr in Marchesa with husband Orlando Bloom, Fergie in Marchesa with the designers
Black & Feathered: Lucy Liu in Vionnet, Natalia Vodianova in Valentino, Demi Moore in Prabal Gurung
Unless you’re dressed in Alexander McQueen in which case all is forgiven, black and white feathered dresses seems too gothic for a spring fling with fashion. Either that or I’m jaded with the look. It’s just too intense! Lighten up a little and go for some pretty colours. No doubt the dresses are gorgeous but like I said, I’ve seen better.
Gossip Girls gone bad: B in Louis Vuitton, S in Chanel, V in Topshop Unique
I can’t say I’m loving what they are wearing this time around, though that’s not usually the case. I usually gush over what Queen B is wearing on the Upper East Side. Designer or not, I think they should pick clothes that fit their silhouette and age. The outfits are just not wholesome enough in my opinion.
Overpowering frocks: Kristen Stewart in Proenza Schouler, Eva Mendes in Stella McCartney, Amy Adams in L'Wen Scott
Too much too young: Solange Knowles in Dries Van Noten, Kirsten Dunst in Chanel, Rihanna in Stella McCartney
It’s a pity when beautiful superstars are overwhelmed by their dresses, in this case, the dress wore them instead. Again, unless you’re powerful like Cate Blanchett or wacky like Lady Gaga, it’s hard to carry off couture like dresses.
The Ugly
Oh my eyes: Carolyn Murphy in Tom Ford, Mary- Kate in vintage Givenchy, Ashley Olsen in vintage Dior
Why oh Why: Freda Pinto in Chanel, Jennifer Lopez in Gucci, Rumer Willis in Badgley Mischka couture
When ugly dresses happen to nice looking people: Christina Hendriks in Carolina Herrera, Iman in Stella McCartney, Beyonce in Emilio Pucci and Jay Z with weird hair
What were they thinking? I haven’t a clue. It’s overkill.
All photos were sourced via Style.com and Vogue.com. I do not own any of the photos.