The Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the biggest fashion event of the year. Think prom for celebrities, where tickets are roughly $30,000 a person and Anna Wintour is the prom queen. With the theme of “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology,” New York City became a stage for musicians, actresses and models to play dress up for a night in their best interpretation of the perfect tech-forward ensemble. Some nailed it and some missed the bill. Below is the best and the worst of the year most expensive red carpet looks:
MOST TALKED ABOUT: Beyoncé in Givenchy
Queen Bey is known for being the talk of the town, or, well, the universe, but on Met Gala night, her Givenchy latex gown is what kept her beehive buzzing. The dress, a body hugging flesh toned number, reminded her fans of — wait for — human skin. More specifically, Becky’s skin. As strange as it all sounds, this theory completely checks out. In Beyoncé’s visual album, “Lemonade,” she refers to Becky saying, “I can wear her skin over mine.” Creepy? Yes, but it made Beyoncé’s gown the center of all Met Gala conversations. As an added bonus, ‘Yonce was the last to arrive to the star packed event, shutting down the carpet and walking solo – now that is how you make an entrance.
MOST VERSATILE: Emma Watson in Calvin Klein
Attire for the Met Gala usually consists of either a gown or tux, but for Watson it consists of both. The actress kept her look playful by wearing loose tuxedo pants under a billowing Calvin Klein skirt. Once inside, the skirt came off for easier access to the food, easier access to the restroom and easier access to Beyonce, obviously. Function and fashionable – Good thinking, Watson.
MOST COLORFUL: Solange in David LaPort
Surprisingly enough, bold colors are not always the hottest trend on the red carpet. Wearing a color takes courage and confidence. It certainly isn’t a move just anyone can pull off. So, for Solange to rock a canary yellow pleated mini with matching latex leg warmers, she gets a round of applause.
BEST DRESSED GROUP: Jenni Konner, Lena Dunham and Jenna Lyons in J.Crew
These three boss-ladies switched things up for the night wearing matching fitted pant suits. The trio took a departure from the typical floor-length gowns to march traverse roles with a look all their own. The girls topped off their attire with thick framed glass — to see the haters with.
BEST OVERALL TRANSFORMATION: Karlie Kloss in Brandon Maxwell
Mission: wear three dresses in one night without changing. Consider it, “Klossed.” The supermodel arrived to the red carpet in a uber conservative creme Brandon Maxell number with a built in cape. Once inside, Kloss shed her outer layer to reveal a skeleton on the previous dress with a lot less fabric. The model exposed practically her entire torso in the strategically fitted garment, leaving very little to the imagination. For the after party, Kloss had one more trick up her sleeve to remix her look: scissors. The 6’1 “it” girl stood nervously as Maxwell hacked the bottom of her dress off, turning her gown into the perfect mini dress for the club. Well played, Kloss, well played.
BEST HAIR: Amanda Stenberg in Calvin Klein
Known for her strong stance on cultural appropriation, the “Hunger Games” star made a powerful statement arriving to the Met Gala with her hair in a naturally curly fro. The hair-do was pushed out of her face with the help of two metal headbands that topped of her looks like a modern day crown.
MOST PREDICTABLE: Kylie Jenner in Balmain
The saying “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” should be Jenner’s next tattoo. As a rookie to the event, the cosmetics mogul, played it safe by wearing a bejeweled Balmain dress in her typical silhouette. The see through dress hugged her in all the right places, but seemed to be a look already done by the reality star on previous red carpets. Perhaps it’s time to mix things up.
MOST EXPOSED: Madonna in Givenchy
Not one to hold back, the 57-year-old singer has returned to her wild ways wearing practically nothing to this year’s Met Gala. Draped in Givenchy, the only thing the separated the star’s breasts from the paparazzi was tape. Her butt? Fair game. The look, obviously not for everyone, was truly something only the Madge herself could pull off.
MOST UNPREDICTABLE: Selena Gomez in Louis Vuitton
Usually one to stun the crowd, Selena Gomez attended the gala in a underwhelming Louis Vuitton ensemble. She dazzled with a fresh face and rounded out her look with a simple ponytail. The understated look wasn’t much to look at, but it can be noted as a refreshing moment in Gomez’s fashion evolution.
BEST DRESSED COUPLE: Zayn Malik in Versace and Gigi Hadid in Tommy Hilfiger
If this couple can’t prove two is better than one, then no one can. The pair linked up arm and arm looking like high school sweethearts. Hadid wore a sequined leotard with sheer overlay, Malik a slim fitting suit with metal robotic arm. If that isn’t prom goals, then what is?
BEST ACCESSORY: Katy Perry in Prada with tamagotchi
No, Perry’s look was not the best of the night, but the personal piece of nostalgia she brought with her might have been. The singer, known for her adolescent antics, clipped on a tamagotchi to her Prada dress before heading to the red carpet. The 90’s must-have made for the perfect touch of outdated tech for the technology themed fashion event.
BEST SHOES: Lady Gaga in Versace
With the tallest heels in the building, it is no surprise Lady Gaga is the winner of the best shoes award. Her pant-less outfit was the perfect way to showcase her stunning set of stilettos and courage to walk up all the Met steps in them was pure impressive. For once, I don’t want to spend a day in Gaga’s shoes.
BEST DRESSED MALE: Rami Malek in Dior Homme
Malek showed up wearing an electric blue Dior suite, which is more than I can say about the other men who attended. That is all.
BEST DRESSED SIBLINGS: Willow Smith in Chanel and Jaden Smith in Louis Vuitton
When good looks and good style run in the family, there is only one thing to do—go to the Met Gala and show it all off. This brother/sister duo has been making waves in the fashion industry since they were toddlers and, of course, a night at the Met was no exception. The pair played it cool in complimentary black and white outfits that highlighted their youth and maturity at once.
BEST DRESSED TEEN: Lily-Rose Depp in Chanel
The 16-year-old daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis hit the red carpet with a dangerously low neckline and fierce smolder. A first timer to the event, the teen turned heads and wowed onlooking, making her return to the red carpet inevitable. Oh, to be young (and famous).
BEST DRESSED OFF-THEME: Bella Hadid in Givenchy
Perhaps no one told Bella Hadid of the night’s theme or perhaps she just didn’t care. Regardless, she looked incredible in Spring 2016 Givenchy.
HONORABLE MENTION: Poppy Delevingne in Marchesa
Since not everyone can be a winner, Delevingne receives honorable mention for her effortless take on her shimmery Marchesa dress. Paired with her long platinum hair and dark lip, the on-theme look’s fate was sealed as one to remember through the years.
MOST IMPROVED: Kate Upton in Topshop
Everyone has their fashion mishaps and last year’s Met Gala look was Kate Upton’s. Luckily, the curvaceous model was able to turn her fate around this year with a sparkling one shoulder made for her by Topshop. If the dress wasn’t enough to keep Upton smiling, then the new engagement ring she debuted on the red carpet was (talk about an awesome engagement party).
BEST DRESSED OVERALL: Claie Daines in Zac Posen
Receiving a perfect score for the evening’s attire is none other than Claire Daines, who lit up the red carpet with her custom Zac Posen gown. For starters, Daines’ took on the role as a modern cinderella while attempting the Met steps with her illustrious white gown. However, inside is where the dress really shined (no, really). The dress was made of fiber-optic technology making the fabric illuminate with the flick of a switch of 30 battery packs. The dress not only fit the luxe environment of the gala, but also pushed the envelope in terms of theme — which is exactly what Costume Institute hoped for.
BELLE OF THE BALL: Anna Wintour in Chanel Haute Couture
Make no mistake, no matter the year, Anna Wintour is always and will always be the real belle of the ball.
