A style tale of two galas
It used to be few events better illustrated the fashion differences between Washington and New York than the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, aka Nerd Prom, and the annual Met Gala, in late April and early May. But not so much anymor
EMMA WATSON
NERD PROM: She’s helped popularize the “skant” outfit (pants under dresses and skirts), as in this cheery strapless floral top with a high slit up the front and slim pants peeking beneath.
MET GALA: Her Calvin Klein skant-with-a-train looked glamorous but also exemplified the activist actress’ yen for “sustainable fashion:” It was made of organically grown silk and cotton and a new kind of yarn made from old plastic bottles.
RACHEL MCADAMS
NERD PROM: Black gowns are always popular here, and she did not disappoint in a strapless column dress with beaded starburst on the bodice by Giorgio Armani, paired with a black choker.
MET GALA: She went for a more ornate look in a gown of nude chiffon elaborately embellished with gold chain netting and lines from Dante’s Divine
Comedy scribbled on the skirt. By Valentino, of course.
GUGU MBATHA-RAW
NERD PROM: Sure, there was cleavage showing in her sumptuous Lela Rose floral-print sateen gown with the lush train and the plunging neckline. But the modesty netting in the bodice and sides was the right touch for Washington. MET GALA: She chose elegance over flamboyance in an ivory Gabriela Hearst gown with beading detail running down the arms.
KARLIE KLOSS
NERD PROM: She was almost chaste in a two-tone Derek Lam silk gown of pale beige and cream panels. MET GALA: She was in creamy white again, but it was an edgier design by Brandon Maxwell that exposed more flesh up top. Later, she posted pictures of how Maxwell turned it into an after-party mini-dress by cutting off the skirt in her hotel room.
KENDALL JENNER
NERD PROM: She stunned the scribes with her cleavage in a strapless, form-fitting black gown by Vivienne Westwood. MET GALA: She took the futuristic theme of the gala to heart in a string-net gown by Atelier Versace with cutouts everywhere showing off ... everything.