Last night was one of my favorite nights in fashion. It's the annual Met Gala, also known as the Met Ball, which serves as the major annual fundraiser for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Since the Institute itself is named for Anna Wintour, she always hosts the event (there are even rumors that she screens and pre-approves all the attendees' outfits), and chooses a co-host. This year, it was Taylor Swift - but more on that later.
Because textiles can't be constantly exposed to light and air while still being preserved, the Costume Institute has a theme each year that dictates what they put on display in the museum, and the Met Ball revolves around that theme. This year's was "Manus x Machina: Fashion in the Age of Technology."
I am SO ready to get this party started. Let's hit it:
BEST, in no particular order.
Katy Perry in Prada
SLAYING. I can't decide whether or not this is my favorite look of the night, but it's certainly in my top three. The Met Ball is all about drama - it's not a moment to play it safe. The most memorable looks from years past have been worn by people who really went for it (remember this?), so I'm all about a look that not only shoots for the stars, but lands there. This is both theme appropriate and DEEPLY fabulous - she looks like some kind of robot overlord.
Lupita Nyong'o in Calvin Klein Collection
I love how, in both Katy Perry and Lupita's pictures, there are onlookers in their photos. That's how striking they were - they paps couldn't even get a picture without accidentally snagging some people gawking and talking about their gowns!
Listen - is this my favorite look of all time? No. But this evening was not about practicality, nor should it be - as you'll see in my "worst" section, the people I liked least are the people who didn't take a chance. Although that color is not my favorite on her, the dress fits her flawlessly. And that hair? Come on. Miss Lupita is serving up alien princess realness and I am HERE FOR IT.
Zoe Saldana in Dolce & Gabbana
Once again, bringing the drama and the FIERCE. Although I'm not 100% sure how this aligns with the theme of technology influencing fashion, I really don't care because I'm being overwhelmed by fabulousness. She is to die for.
Edit: I now see exactly how this aligns because of how the skirt was made. It's about featuring technology IN fashion, not necessarily about looking like a robot.
Beyoncé in Givenchy
Does she know what she's doing, or what?
Mere days after the release of her world-stopping album Lemonade, and after all the drama that took place after the Met Ball two years ago, she knew all eyes would be on her. And she brought it. But she went a very different route this year than last year's naked dress - she's got full coverage, but still pulled of the body-con in what looks like a latex space suit. This is honestly a dress that I have both loved and hated in the last 12 hours, but that usually means it's right on the nose for the Met Ball.
Bella Hadid in Givenchy
It's hard to see in this photo, but that entire skirt is detailed ruffles.
Call me basic, but I thought she was stunning last night.
Lady Gaga in Atelier Versace
VINTAGE GAGA! VINTAGE GAGA!
Oh my goodness, the degree to which this outfit thrills me is probably a little bit embarrassing. I love love LOVE that she went back to a leotard and sky-high platform boots. It's hard not to figure that this is an homage not only to the theme, but to her icon David Bowie.
Living for that jacket.
Claire Danes in Zac Posen
I don't even feel the need to comment on this obvious knockout, but I will.
I don't normally love Zac Posen, but he really knocked it out of the park here. This is Cinderella-bot beauty, and only Claire Danes and her elegance could pull this off. Just look at her - that is the face of a woman who knows she nailed it.
Jared Leto and Florence Welch in Gucci
Two style icons doing what they do best: shutting it down.
Others I'm obsessed with:
WORST.
Taylor Swift in custom Louis Vuitton
GIRL, BYE.
This is DEFINITELY biased because I really can't abide Taylor Swift at all and I am REALLY. SICK. OF HER. these days.
It's just...so thirsty. Like, Taylor Swift: you've built an empire on "cherry lips and crystal skies." Go home and wipe off that black lipstick. You are not goth. You are not Kylie Jenner. You are not fooling anyone.
My chief complaint about this look is that Taylor was co-hosting this event with Anna Wintour, and she chose to wear...a cocktail dress?? This is a WHITE TIE event. Cocktail isn't up to code. And on top of all of that, this looks like a dress she would've worn in her tour this past year - it doesn't strike me as unique at ALL. This wasn't daring or chance-taking; this was SAFE. She wears some version of this every single awards show. Am I supposed to be impressed because she found the platinum bleach?
Taylor Swift = metallic, cutouts, crop top and high-rise bottoms, sleeveless. Always. Basic basic basic basic BASIC. You need some "me time," Taylor. Glad you're taking a year off. Go work on yourself.
Amy Schumer in Alexander Wang
Sad boobs and lack of pedicure. Also, not on theme.
Her dress looks like a dragon who needs Prozac. HATE it.
Mindy Kaling in Tory Burch
Mindy, I love you, but I just fell asleep. This is the most boring dress on planet Earth. And at the MET BALL?! Rihanna basically wore a giant omelette last year! Come on, girl!
What makes me the saddest about this is that she usually uses her personal costume designer, Salvador Perez, to create stunning and colorful looks that fit her beautifully. This was just a swing and a miss.
Blake Lively in Burberry
Poor Blake got confused and thought she was attending last year's Gala, whose theme was China: Through the Looking Glass.
This doesn't make any sense and is also VERY Blake Lively with that wrapped super-tight corset style. We've seen it. We're bored.
Also another celeb for whom I believe #thethirstisreal. She and Taylor Swift can go hang out somewhere.
Katie Holmes in I Don't Care Enough to Look It Up
She looks like someone's crazy aunt they're trying to avoid at a wedding reception. This is the definition of #tragique.
Madonna
...no. No. THIS is the definition of #tragique. Honey. Let's get you home and in bed. It makes me sad that someone this iconic is aging this poorly - and I don't mean that she looks bad. I mean that she is begging for proverbial table scraps. YOU ARE BETTER THAN THIS, MADONNA.
Dishonorable mention: The ENTIRE Kardashian/West clan (Kanye actually wore JEANS TO THIS EVENT AND I CANNOT), Ivanka Trump, Kristen Stewart.