Last night was one of the most exciting nights of fashion in the entire year. The night where the fashion set pull out all the stops and the invitations are highly coveted (selfie queen Kimmy K couldn’t even get an invitation until a couple years ago).
It’s been known as ‘Fashion’s Prom’, a prom with a hefty price tag – $25,000 per ticket! We are talking about the Met Gala. Seeing how fashions finest interpret the theme (which changes every year) is something we look forward to each May, and this year was no exception.
The theme was China: Through the Looking Glass and while some stars got it very right, others were way off the mark. Here’s the Ruby Slippers Styling’s roundup of who rocked the Met Gala red carpet and who flopped.
We have to start with Rihanna, now known as #slayanna who showed up in a canary yellow ensemble complete with fur trim, swirled headpiece and embroidered detailing by Chinese designer (and Met exhibitor) Guo Pei.
While her look is certainly not demure, with her confidence and interpretation of the theme you can’t help but love that she’s taken a risk like this.
It seemed that this year continued to be the year of the butt with all our favourite gals playing peekaboo with daring cut outs and strategically placed beading.
First there was Beyonce in nude sparkle Givenchy Haute Couture, then JLO in red jewels by Versace with plenty of “side bum” apparently the new “side boob,” and finally Kim Kardashian West in a white and sheer feathered gown with a mile long train and her signature sleek ponytail.
Now, while I applaud all of these ladies for daring to bare (and usually I bow down to JLo on her fashion choices), I didn’t really feel that any of them really hit the mark on the interpretation of the theme.
Some of the stand outs were Kate Hudson’s gold Michael Kors dress and updo paired with a cute white clutch and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. She looks fresh and totally on-theme, we loved it!
The Ruby Slippers Team are divided on Diane Kruger’s Chanel pale pink bustier and matching cigarette pants. Definitely, not as lavish as some of the other guests:
And, can we talk about Kendall Jenner in this to-the-floor beaded cut out Calvin Klein gown in a striking jade green which totally pops alongside her fair skin and dark locks. Loving that she kept her make-up light and fresh and let the dress take centre stage. I can’t believe this girl is only 19, she is poised and looks STUNNING.
Catwalk queen Naomi Campbell rocked the red carpet in a chartreuse and black Burberry gown that looked simply magnificent on her. Paired with her blunt bangs it struck all the right oriental notes that many other guests failed to hit.
Singer Zendaya Coleman went for a playful moment with a really fun Fausto Puglisi number with a sun theme, black fitted bodice and structured red skirt with a train. We liked the whimsy in this outfit and her jewelled headpiece, matte make-up and simple black pumps really tied it all together.
Another winner was the wine coloured gown, also Calvin Klein, worn by Aussie Rose Byrne. The hand cut leather detailing is divine and her perfectly matched claret stilettos top off the look paired with messy waves and bronze makeup.
I think she manages to make this gown with long sleeves and a (relatively) low hemline look just as sexy as some of the other more risqué gowns.
Dame Helen Mirren got it oh so right in a cherry red laser cut out gown by Dolce and Gabbana, proving once again at 69 that style knows no age limit. And can we talk about her AMAZING drop earrings?! To die for.
But, drum roll please…our ultimate favourite, and best dressed of the night goes to none other than Anna Wintour’s own offspring and emerging fashion plate: Bee Shaffer.
She wore a STUNNING Alexander McQueen creation adorned with hand stitched cherry blossoms and crane which made her dress visually magnificent both from the front and from the back.Paired with her Nicholas Kirkwood heels and Alexander McQueen clutch this look gets an A++++ !
And of course, there are always a couple that completely miss the mark.
When Miley Cyrus and Zoe Kravitz turned up I thought they may have gotten the wrong invitation. Both girls looked as if they had jumped out of the Renaissance with Zoe donning a slinky grey gown and chunky belt by Alexander Wang that looked more like a piece of chain mail armour and Miley’s dress (also Alexander Wang) was studded and had massive side cut outs which was both intimidating and displeasing to the eye. A big thumbs down for both.
Then there was Katy Perry in THIS Mochino monstrosity. No words for this graffitted mess. The only thing worse that the dress is the statement blue gloves and her unkempt pixie cut hair.
The dress would have been nice on it’s own but somehow went from chic to costumey with the accessories. It was semi-salvaged by her slicked hair and makeup but I expected a lot more from a girl who has her own clothing collab with Adidas.
No matter who hits the red carpet for the Met Gala each year, it’s always such fun seeing what they come up with, I can’t wait until next year! Only 364 more days to go!!
By: Ishtar Schneider
Images courtesy of Daily Mail