The Met Gala 2014
I miss the days when it was called the Costume Institute Gala, since it serves as a fundraiser for the Met and specifically the Costume Institute. For whatever reasons, the name of the event was changed and it could just be my imagination but the outfits have gotten more true red carpet and less costume-y. I personally favor the avant-garde looks fro its history and the fact that there is a correlating theme just adds to the creativity options. I've always looked forward to seeing the looks in Vogue magazine following the event, and since launching my weekly blog post, I have been looking forward to reviewing the looks! And here they are, in a best and worst how to showdown.
How to, and how not to wear a ball gown. My best dressed of the night goes to Karolina Kurkova. She looks like a walking art piece, her dress is so decadent and perfect I can't take my eyes off of it. This is exactly what I would expect to see worn to an event that celebrates fashion and the Arts. Sandra Lee's souffle of an outfit deflates and becomes too costume-y. The color is off, the fabric is wrinkled and it sadly looks like a second hand prom dress from 1989.
How to rock a train. Sarah Jessica Parker channels 'Carrie Bradshaw' in this fun number. I'm a sucker for a cinched waist and a tousled updo. This is how you wear a lavish fabric. Katie Holmes drowns in her yellow frock making her look frumpy. The combination of poufy neckline with a gathered bodice to fullness again makes it look amateur.
How to and how not to do a silhouette. Beyoncé kills it in this slinky dramatic dress. I love the peekaboo openings, the see through pops to keep you looking and the hair and makeup make it one of the best looks of the night. Kate Upton... why? Celebrated for her curves, she does nothing here to showcase them with the way this dress explodes at the bottom. It ages her and that head piece is just awful.
How to choose a neckline. I love both of these dresses and the opulence is so fitting for this type of event. The color of Liu Wen's dress is just a bit more standout and the neckline is so much more interesting and just catapults the gown into stellar territory. I have to give credit to Sarah Silverman for giving us a completely different look and this is so close to being great, but the neckline doesn't fit the splendor of the design.
How to fashionista. Part of being one to watch on the red carpet is a blend of attitude, taking risks and pushing the envelope. Anna Wintour's reputation precedes her and she surprises us with something much more colorful and cheery. It almost has a graffiti feel to it and is considerably edgy compared to what you'd expect from a classic lady. Lupita N'yongo misses the mark in this flapper disaster. There's a lot going on here with the feather, beads, headband but I admire the attempt made.
How to be bright. I am such a sucker for bold colors and both of these ladies give some excitment on the red carpet. Emma Stone wins me over in this pink on pink with a peep toe. And Olivia Munn's yellow Hayworth-esque gown is sultry. My only distraction in both cases is the hair. Both styles feel like a mismatch to the dresses and leave me wanting more. Go big or go home when it comes to being bold!
How to go metallic. Rosie Huntington-Whitely looks ready for battle in her armored dress, very gladiator and with the shoes even more so. She annihilates Kristen Stewart's mess of a dress. It looks as though the designer had a few too many ideas and ran out of time in the sewing room.
How to Lavender. Nicole Richie keeps it simple and cool with her sleek gown. So much movement and interest, and it keeps the focus on her pale violet hair. Rashida Jones does herself no favors and needs to fire her stylist. This dress is so wrong in proportion and confusing... why the cornflower blue extra ruffle, why the hemline? No, no, no!
How to be Architectural. When geometry, design and construction are executed perfectly it is breathtaking, as seen here on Greta Gerwig. It is strong while maintaining softness and its timelessness has a place in every decade past and yet to come. I cannot say the same for Kristen Wiig. The halter is great but the black hole inspired Saturn ring thing is misshapen and doesn't make sense.
How to Scale. Both of these ladies hit the mark working interesting designs on the red carpet. Marion Cotillard finishes off her classic look with a beautifully styled hair hat and those bright lips are superb! Naomi Watts dons the mermaid ombre look, but if I could just see something a little softer with the hair instead of the combover and a brighter eye color or lipstick.
How to Barbie. Reese Witherspoon goes full Marilyn meets Grace Kelly and it is gorgeous! Perfect hair that is coifed to look almost plastic and the makeup with a slight dewy quality finished the 'doll' look. Emmy Rossum goes Tropical Barbie and while it isn't totes terrible, it isn't memorable either.
How to be famous for marketing sex. Dita Von Teese gives burlesque realness and stays true to her persona with the flawless hair and makeup. The cream gown with red accents keep your eye dazzled and appear as if she's shimmying even in a still portrait. Kim Kardashian goes for a silk sheet with a belt instead of the bedspread she wore to last year's event. (see here) What can we expect from her next year? A dust ruffle perhaps?
How to Black & White. Charlize Theron rarely disappoints on the red carpet and seen here in exquisite lines, she retains her Hollywood royalty title. The jacket at first seemed to belong to Sean Penn and I would have left it behind personally but all in all she looks great. Cara Delevingne goes B&W as well but wearing a seatbelt strap as a top and high-waters, its a total miss. If you're going to go pants, go jumpsuit chic and keep it classy, but I just think this is way casual for this event.
Thanks for reading this week's post! Stay tuned in the next couple weeks when we review the Cannes Film Festival red carpet! If you are interested in staying updated when I launch a blog post, please join my mailing list by scrolling to the top right area and enter your email address in the box below the archives to be prompted and not miss any articles!
Take Care,
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