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As the now Duchess of Cambridge processed down the aisle of Westminster Abbey on Friday, in her Sarah Burton designed wedding dress, there was a clear reminder of what the house
of Alexander McQueen continues to be even after the death of its founder.
There could be no better time for the Met’s Costume Institute Gala to celebrate McQueen with an exhibition entitled ‘Savage Beauty.’ As Sarah Burton made her way into the museum last
night, looking somewhat like a bride herself in a long flowing white dress, she was still beaming on the back of the outstanding reviews she received for her royal commission. As one
might expect, many of the guests delved into the McQueen archives to find their outfits for the evening. Gisele Bundchen and Sarah Jessica Parker both looked smoking hot in gowns from
McQueen’s Fall 2005 Collection. SJP donned a jewel encrusted long sleeve sheath dress and Gisele chose a dramatic flame red gown with billowing train. A champion of the avant-garde,
Daphne Guinness wore a dress from Sarah Burton’s first collection as creative director of the design house- a fiercely structured gown balanced by the fact that it was entirely fashioned out
of delicate white feathers. While Karen Elson, one of McQueen’s longtime muses, looked fabulous in a gold sequined bias-cut gown that, in true McQueen style, appeared to be decaying
as she wore it.
Aside from McQueen, designs by Stella McCartney were extremely popular- perhaps not surprising seeing as she was hailed the ‘honorary designer’ of the evening. Livia Firth looked
striking in a steel colored beaded gown worn over silk trousers. McCartney’s buttery gold creation for Kate Hudson was spot on as was Kate’s decision to wear her diamonds on her head
(sadly the same can’t be said for Isabel Lucas' choice of headdress.) Yet the McCartney designed gowns worn by Naomi Watts and Gwyneth Paltrow disappointingly lacked originality.
Anna Wintour didn’t waver from her traditional Met Ball staple of Chanel Haute Couture and she wasn’t alone. Blake Lively and Kirsten Dunst both wore pieces from the French fashion
house. The 'Gossip Girl' actress looked spectacular hanging off Karl’s arm in a draped grey gown with embroidery. While Natasha Poly and Oh Land succeeded in the difficult task of
pulling off slouchy glamour at such a prestigious occasion, thanks to Alexander Wang and 3.1 Phillip Lim respectively. Models Karlie Kloss and Lily Aldridge perfected old Hollywood
glamour, Kloss in sequined Dior and Aldridge in silky gold by Ralph Lauren Collection. Just the right amount of quirky direction was provided by Saoirse Ronan’s Rodarte Wizard of Oz style
dress and Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen’s decision to fly the flag for vintage fashion, in vintage Dior Couture and Givenchy respectively. Many attempted to take on the minimal neon dress
trend but it paid off particularly well for Brooklyn Decker, who looked electric in fuschia Michael Kors. There was much speculation over what Madonna would wear and in the end she
jumped on the McCartney band wagon which would have been fine if it weren’t for the tacky sequin stars on her dress.
Among others who missed the mark were Christina Hendricks, Freida Pinto and Jennifer Lopez in an unflattering Gucci shrug. Most of the time Rihanna is justifiably lauded for her fashion
bravery, but it didn’t pay off so well last night. Her choice of long mermaid plait, gaudy emerald earrings and McCartney gown with beaded lace, a diagonal train and risqué cut sent us into
sensory overload. Alongside the near misses were moments of real inspiration; Miranda Kerr’s pairing of a frothy Marchesa ballerina dress with edgy Nicholas Kirkwood heels was very
clever indeed, but it was Hamish Bowles in McQueen's head to toe tartan ensemble, complete with cape, that really stole the show.
of Alexander McQueen continues to be even after the death of its founder.
There could be no better time for the Met’s Costume Institute Gala to celebrate McQueen with an exhibition entitled ‘Savage Beauty.’ As Sarah Burton made her way into the museum last
night, looking somewhat like a bride herself in a long flowing white dress, she was still beaming on the back of the outstanding reviews she received for her royal commission. As one
might expect, many of the guests delved into the McQueen archives to find their outfits for the evening. Gisele Bundchen and Sarah Jessica Parker both looked smoking hot in gowns from
McQueen’s Fall 2005 Collection. SJP donned a jewel encrusted long sleeve sheath dress and Gisele chose a dramatic flame red gown with billowing train. A champion of the avant-garde,
Daphne Guinness wore a dress from Sarah Burton’s first collection as creative director of the design house- a fiercely structured gown balanced by the fact that it was entirely fashioned out
of delicate white feathers. While Karen Elson, one of McQueen’s longtime muses, looked fabulous in a gold sequined bias-cut gown that, in true McQueen style, appeared to be decaying
as she wore it.
Aside from McQueen, designs by Stella McCartney were extremely popular- perhaps not surprising seeing as she was hailed the ‘honorary designer’ of the evening. Livia Firth looked
striking in a steel colored beaded gown worn over silk trousers. McCartney’s buttery gold creation for Kate Hudson was spot on as was Kate’s decision to wear her diamonds on her head
(sadly the same can’t be said for Isabel Lucas' choice of headdress.) Yet the McCartney designed gowns worn by Naomi Watts and Gwyneth Paltrow disappointingly lacked originality.
Anna Wintour didn’t waver from her traditional Met Ball staple of Chanel Haute Couture and she wasn’t alone. Blake Lively and Kirsten Dunst both wore pieces from the French fashion
house. The 'Gossip Girl' actress looked spectacular hanging off Karl’s arm in a draped grey gown with embroidery. While Natasha Poly and Oh Land succeeded in the difficult task of
pulling off slouchy glamour at such a prestigious occasion, thanks to Alexander Wang and 3.1 Phillip Lim respectively. Models Karlie Kloss and Lily Aldridge perfected old Hollywood
glamour, Kloss in sequined Dior and Aldridge in silky gold by Ralph Lauren Collection. Just the right amount of quirky direction was provided by Saoirse Ronan’s Rodarte Wizard of Oz style
dress and Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen’s decision to fly the flag for vintage fashion, in vintage Dior Couture and Givenchy respectively. Many attempted to take on the minimal neon dress
trend but it paid off particularly well for Brooklyn Decker, who looked electric in fuschia Michael Kors. There was much speculation over what Madonna would wear and in the end she
jumped on the McCartney band wagon which would have been fine if it weren’t for the tacky sequin stars on her dress.
Among others who missed the mark were Christina Hendricks, Freida Pinto and Jennifer Lopez in an unflattering Gucci shrug. Most of the time Rihanna is justifiably lauded for her fashion
bravery, but it didn’t pay off so well last night. Her choice of long mermaid plait, gaudy emerald earrings and McCartney gown with beaded lace, a diagonal train and risqué cut sent us into
sensory overload. Alongside the near misses were moments of real inspiration; Miranda Kerr’s pairing of a frothy Marchesa ballerina dress with edgy Nicholas Kirkwood heels was very
clever indeed, but it was Hamish Bowles in McQueen's head to toe tartan ensemble, complete with cape, that really stole the show.
The MET Costume Institute Gala 2011 Pays Tribute to Alexander McQueen
By Isabella Redmond Styles
POSTED May 3, 2011
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CELEBRITY STYLE WATCH
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Alexander McQueen 'Savage Beauty' exhibition will be on display at
the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, from May 4 to July 31, 2011
the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, from May 4 to July 31, 2011