Tuesday, May 3, 2011

2011 Costume Institute Gala Red Carpet

Last night was the annual Met Ball in New York City - otherwise known as the Costume Institute Gala. Every year there is a theme, and this year, it understandably was a dedication (and accompanying exhibit at the Met) to the late Alexander McQueen. Everyone in the glitterati attends the Costume Institute Gala - from top models and designers to movie stars, sports figures, singers, rappers, celebrities and high society. It's also one of the only events during the year where you can expect to see some truly over-the-top outfits on most of the attendees.

Well, not this year. With a dedication to McQueen (the King of over-the-top fashion), I expected to see a lot of McQueen and a lot of drama on the red carpet. Instead, I saw a lot of nude, beige, and muted pastel colors. I saw a lot of simple, strapless column dresses. And I saw a lot of attendees playing it safe. Overall, I was a little underwhelmed with the fashion choices at this year's Gala, but it was still one of the best nights in fashion!


The Queen of Fashion was naturally, in attendance, but I have to say, I don't think I have ever seen her make a worse style choice...and it pains me to say that because she is wearing Chanel. Still, this is not good, people. Not. Good.

All image from Dimitrios Kambouris or Getty Images, via www.nymag.com


Chanel's head designer, Karl Lagerfeld was also in attendance, with his current muse, Blake Lively on his arm (she's also starring in his current print campaign). And for the first time since she arrived on the scene, I have to say, I don't like her ensemble. It appears to be some kind of strange cross between a sari and a mermaid costume...fabulous hair though! Fail number two, Chanel.



Here are three ladies that went all out in over-the-top Alexander McQueen - although there were a few other guys in his designs as well. Aren't his creations stunning? They are anything but typical, and sometimes not even entirely wearable, but they are definitely works of art and costuming.

Naomi Campbell, Anna Dello Russo and Daphne Guinness

Stella McCartney outfitted a few ladies for the event, and I love each one. Gwyneth's dress especially took my breath away - gilded loveliness, and even Kate Hudson, pregnant as can be, looked radiant in her Stella gown. Rihanna's dress manages to be both sexy and still classy - but I could do without the long red braid.

Gwyneth Paltrow, Rihanna, Kate Hudson


Micahel Kors dressed a few of the young Hollywood starlets, and these two were my favorite. Emma Roberts looks all grown up but still age appropriate in this simple cut-out gown, but Brooklyn Decker's dress is my favorite of the night. Hot pink with long sleeves and simple lines? Yes, please! Its such a bright, bold color but it looks so elegant. Michael Kors always does simple elegance perfectly.

Emma Roberts and Brooklyn Decker


There were a lot of gold dresses on the red carpet, and I fell head over heels in love with almost all of them - here are some of my favorites...

Bar Raefeli's dress is a stunning combination of gold and blue beading and gems and I love the turquoise earrings that were paired with it - you don't often see such a bold dress matched with such a bold earring with such a different kind of style to it.

Bar Rafaeli

Elizabeth Banks is one of my other top picks for the night. The whole package is just perfect. The Veronica Lake hair, the bright orange (right on trend) lip, and her gold sequined Tommy Hilfiger dress that makes her look like an Oscar statue. Loves!


And let's not forget the models - Angela Lindvall and Karlie Kloss are giving some serious face in their golden goddess gowns. I love the darker hues of their gowns - it feels fabulously 70's glamour-chic to me.

Angela Lindvall and Karlie Kloss
Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen and Ashley Greene in Donna Karan also went gilded, but in a softer way, with blushing nude tones and lots of sparkle.

Sarah Jessica Parker and Ashley Greene


Gowns seemed to go one of two ways - blushy nudes and pastels or dark blues, purples and black. Amy Poehler in J.Mendel looked like a different version of her usual red carpet-self, rocking big hair and super dramatic eyes, but she looked great and it was fun to see her take a risk.

Amy Poehler

Evan Rachel Wood also went for a deep hue in eggplant, with her gown from Gucci. She looks flawless and its a great color on her.

Evan Rachel Wood

Christina Ricci also went dark - but for me, it was boderline too dark - her look almost comes off as costume-y over the top gothic, but the impeccable design of the dress and unique lace paneling by Zac Posen, not to mention the gorgeous fluted bottom, make it just dramatic enough.

Zac Posen and Christina Ricci

A few ladies stepped outside the box with their dress choices for Gala,  wearing unique colors, dress designs, prints and even makeup.

Tom Brady and Gisele looked ridiculously H-O-T, as always. It was nice to see a spot of bright red on the carpet, too, and the train on that Alexander McQueen dress is simply amazing. It's a lot of dress, but she wears it well!

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen

Emma Stone was another favorite of mine, in her unique dress from Alber Elbaz for Lanvin. Big florals can be hard to pull of without looking like a couch, but this dress does it - perhaps because of the muted grays and black and white palette. I love that the only color is the pop of hot pink on her lips.

Emma Stone

I was blown away when I found out that Ginnifer Goodwin's dress was from Top Shop. I love the draping and the cut outs, and again, the long sleeves. Dresses with long sleeves are on the top of my list right now. Her necklace and eyeshadow, also in shades of green, manage to come off not looking too matchy-matchy either, which is an impressive feat!

Ginnifer Goodwin

And finally, we come to the last dress - Isabel Lucas in Louis Vuitton. I adore the melon color of this dress, the myriad of pleats, and the unique top. Her jewelry - most notably, the headpiece, is perfectly over the top for a Gala honoring Alexander McQueen and yet, it manages to fit the Grecian feel of the gown.

Isabel Lucas
What do you think of some of the fashion choices for the Gala this year? Which one is your favorite? I'm sticking with Michael Kors' hot pink number. Get in my closet!

xoxo

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