At the MET Gala in New York the dress code for this year’s Costume Insitute Ball was China: Through the Looking Glass which meant chinoiserie chic and, in general, divided the offerings between pseudo-oriental dragon lady and madame butterfly.
Channeling eastern exoticism in their choices, clear standouts included the untouchable Julianne Moore in a structured Givenchy dress and Georgia May Jagger, who wore a themed Gucci by Alessandro Michele ensemble. More highlights included Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Atelier Versace, Adriana Lima in Marc Jacobs and Karolina Kurkova in a Tommy Hilfiger minidress, whom each amped up the sex appeal with their Shanghai Lily-tinged creations.
Ricardo Tisci and Julianne Moore, both in Givenchy
Georgia May Jagger in Gucci by Alessandro Michele
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Atelier Versace
Adriana Lima in Marc Jacobs
Karoline Kurkova in Tommy Hilfiger
Lowlights came from the likes of Rihanna in Guo Pei Couture, who let her immaturity in dressing formally show through yet again by being under the illusion that the bigger the dress, the bigger the column inches. Don’t worry, we all saw you. Elsewhere, vulgarity also played second fiddle to the wardrobe of Sarah Jessica Parker in a custom H&M concoction topped off by a Philip Treacy headdress, which collectively made all the wrong statements.
Alongside that, FKA Twigs in a messy Christopher Kane dress and Solange Knowles in a confusing piece of Giles fabric were some of the most notably ill-informed choices of the night. While these options may have turned heads, they also caused eyes to roll as well. At least Kristen Wiig in Prabal Gurung did outré trains with comic precision, though even her lengthy train couldn’t hold a candle to one of the best of the night, namely Ivanka Trump’s rich royal blue also by Gurung.
Rihanna in Guo Pei Haute Couture
Sarah Jessica Parker in Custom H&M with headdress by Philip Treacy
Christopher Kane and FKA Twigs wearing Christopher Kane
Solange Knowles in Giles
Kristen Wiig in Prabal Gurung
Ivanka Trump in Prabal Gurung
Moschino pop tarts alike, Madonna and Katy Perry continued their bosom buddy association by donning almost matching Jeremy Scott creations. Even though Madonna’s may have been personalised to flog her new album, Rebel Heart, it’s just strange to see the undisputed queen of pop continually locating herself in the same strata as the Perry the vanilla pop starlet.
Katy Perry and Madonna in Moschino by Jeremy Scott
As for the models that would, in all honesty, find it very hard to make a false move, the night was theirs. From a super Naomi Campbell in Burberry Prorsum, to Karlie Kloss in Atelier Versace, and the latest it girl Gigi Hadid in Diane von Furstenberg. As usual, the models became the MET’s mavens of the moment and carried off elegance in the most becoming manner. This should have really been a pre-requisite for an evening that was dedicated to the history of Chinese fashion. Think demure people, please.
Lee Daniels and Naomi Campbell in Burberry Prorsum
Karlie Kloss in Atelier Versace and Gigi Hadid in Diane von Furstenberg
Those who also got it right also included the many thespians in attendance, who opted for elegance above all of the theatrics. The likes of Olivia Munn in J Mendel, Sienna Miller in an embellished Thakoon suit, Uma Thurman in Atelier Versace and Gong Li in Roberto Cavalli with Piaget jewels instantly fell into this wise bracket on making their stylish appearances. Elsewhere, Hollywood’s golden girls of the MET ball included a hooded Anne Hathaway, who slinked into a timeless Custom Ralph Lauren gown and Jessica Chastain, who strategically poured herself into a gilded Givenchy gown.
Olivia Munn in J Mendel
Thakoon and Sienna Miller wearing Thakoon
Uma Thurman in Atelier Versace
Gong Li in Roberto Cavalli
Anne Hathaway in Custom Ralph Lauren
Jessica Chastain in Givenchy
Surprises of the night included Rita Ora in a startling red Tom Ford number, who is fast graduating as a credible style force, Cara Delevingne in Stella McCartney embracing the theme whimsically with temporary tattoos and Kendall Jenner, who appeared resplendent in jade green Calvin Klein.
Tom Ford and Rita Ora wearing Tom Ford
Cara Delevingne in Stella McCartney
Kendall Jenner in Calvin Klein
Alas, while it sometimes seems that the MET Gala is simply becoming a sartorial shouting match, the underlying campiness of this year’s choices were if anything, as fabulously fun as could be. They are meant to be having a ball, after all, so who are we to judge?
By Livia Feltham
Images courtesy of respective fashion houses