Met Gala showstoppers
THE ANNUAL fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art was held on Monday, May 1, under the theme ‘The Art of The In-Between’ celebrating Japanese fashion label
Comms des Garcons. It was a red carpet like no other, also known as the craziest night in fashion, where fashion A-listers and celebrities either push the avant garde dress code, or go against the theme and play it unexpectedly banal.
It’s hard to consider anything as over the top when the term avant garde implies just that – radical and unorthodox. On a red carpet highlighting shock and awe, and in an effort to help a designer ‘go viral’, the beauty of artistic expression can easily be lost. How does one draw the line between avant garde and ridiculous? While one look may catapult into comical memes, another look will influence future designs. The Met Ball fashion review is typically where personal preferences determine what’s a hit and what’s a miss. As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That being said, we have curated some looks worth mentioning for you to decide.
Rihanna wearing Comme de Garcons ruffles in a variety of prints was somehow reminiscent of a 3D quilt. But in true Rihanna style, the red, laced-up, thigh-high sandals, show-stopping make-up and her signature pout and glare sealed her look into a bonafide hit.
Zendaya was again a red carpet favourite, wearing Dolce & Gabbana couture. Though relatively safe as she abandoned avant garde, the look was still over the top with the vibrant print and big
hair. This young fashionista is the one to watch, but special mention to her faithful stylist, Law Roach for always guaranteeing her a best-dressed nod.
BLUE
Jennifer Lopez, knowing this was her red carpet debut with new beau, Alexander Rodriguez, opted for a queen-like, almost ethereal sky blue Valentino gown, allowing A-Rod to be the best accessory of her look. We have our fingers crossed for this relationship as it promises future stellar red carpet appearances.
RED
Rita Ora wearing Marchesa, and Katy Perry wearing John Galliano, could be the truest representation of avant garde, featuring intricate sequin and beading designs, layered ruffles and a floorlength red veil with the words ‘eye witness’ on it. She embraced the theme, though receiving some backlash for wearing Galliano, who came under fire for his anti-semitic drunken rants.
BLACK
Cassie wearing an elaborate, corseted black gown by On Aura Tout Vu captured the shutterbugs’ attention, while Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs lounged on the stairs in a black suit featuring a floor-length cape. It’s hard to believe this staging wasn’t orchestrated by some clever publicist.
Kendall Jenner – when your gown is being designed by lingerie company La Perla, you can’t expect anything different than something which leaves little to the imagination. A sheer, beaded gown revealing a racy, almost tawdry g-string thong. We are definitely hoping this doesn’t go mainstream, but stays in the bedrooms.
Kerry Washington wearing a patchworked silver and black Michael Kors gown featuring uneven cut outs, was a win with her statement choker and chic new bob haircut.
Lala Anthony stunned in a jaw-dropping sheer gown by Thai Nguyen Atelier. However, it wasn’t what she wore which stole the show, but what he wasn’t wearing. Lala wore rings on every finger except her ring finger, just in case there was any doubt of her month-long separation from husband Carmelo Anthony.
Halle Berry at her first Met Ball appearance, and at 50 years old, showed what fashion legends are made of. A black, beaded catsuit by Versace paying homage to her block buster role as Catwoman featured a black and gold ruffled train – the epitome of style, grace and edge.