Fashion goes gaga at the Met Gala
What happens when one of the premiere fashion events of the year toasts a designer who is unconcerned with flattering fits and even wearability? The annual Met Gala posed that questions Monday by honoring Comme des Garçons designer Rei Kawakubo, whose work has been on the cutting edge of fashion and art for more than 40 years but isn’t standard fare on red carpets. Some A-listers rose to the challenge. Others seemed to miss the point.
RIHANNA
The singer is not one to shy away from a sartorial summons. And Monday night, she proved her dedication in a 3-D petalled look from the designer’s Fall 2016 collection. She may not have been able to sit once inside.
TRACEE ELLIS ROSS
The most successful (and more comfortable) stars added their own personalities to the designer’s aesthetic. Ross appeared more effortless than Rih in a short blue cocoon-dress.
PRIYANKA CHOPRA
The actress/singer went with a play on a classic trench coat by Ralph Lauren. The revamped look got an accentuated collar and enormous train. She said she enjoyed taking a traditional item and adding a Kawakubo-inspired twist.
HALEY BENNETT
The actress put a regal, Italian twist on the theme with a Dolce & Gabbana dress and an awe-inspiring crown of flowers.
MIGOS
Migos channeled their song Versace with entire ensembles from the designer and necklaces that further played off their work, including, of course, a raindrop. The trio kept their looks solid black, a hallmark of Comme des Garçons.
LILY COLLINS
Collins added a girly touch with the pink skirt of her Giambattista Valli gown, but her black bob was a clever Kawakubo homage.
ZENDAYA
Another winner in Dolce & Gabbana was Zendaya, rocking a loud, printed ballgown and free-flying hair. Both looks may have been a looser take on Kawakubo’s repertoire, but the undercurrents of power and self-possession showed through.
CLAIRE DANES
Danes made the deconstructed look, a technique made famous in part by Kawakubo, her own with a giant white Monse shirt.
KATIE HOLMES
The actress similarly worked some pleating detail into her teal Zac Posen gown.