This year the Met Gala is celebrating the Costume Institute’s “China: Through the Looking Glass” exhibition which opens this week. It is a theme that could be either misinterpreted or rather take a big chunk of cultural appropriation and while some went very close to the line as is often the case with the Met Gala the theme was only hinted at – remember how very un-punk a lot of attendees were last year?
Here is Part 2 of our ‘Best of’ rundown (head here for Part 1) and while a lot of these dresses could work on any fancy pants red carpet event there are still a couple of ensembles which embrace the Met Gala costume dream.
Kicking off the second part with the most dramatic entrance of the night and Rihanna achieves regal cape gown perfection in yellow Guo Pei – moving beyond the ‘inspired by Chinese heritage by wearing something by a Chinese designer – and the wide staircase shot shows off this incredible moment.
When I first saw Allison Williams in Giambattista Valli Couture I was struck by how it was so Allison Williams and yet at the same time it moves away from her wheelhouse. This might be her best red carpet look to date and in a sea of scarlet frocks it is one which really stands out.
Rose Byrne wears one of the most interesting looks of the night in leather custom Calvin Klein collection. While once again I can’t see a whole lot of the theme in this; the circular cut outs and overall detail is spectacular.
Another gown which explores the theme through texture with a military inspiration in the design of Amal Clooney’s Maison Margiela bodice. Mixing this with a layered skirt and one which evokes flowers adds to the outstanding quality of this dress.
There were a whole lot of Star Wars references being thrown about when Anne Hathaway arrived, but for me this looks a whole lot like something I wore in 1998 (albeit mine was a silver sleeveless hoodie which I adored). Whatever this Ralph Lauren hooded dress makes you think of, it is clear that Anne Hathaway is working it.
More gold and Kate Hudson in Michael Kors is doing her ‘Kate Hudson looks very good on the red carpet’ thing.
Woah! Jessica Chastain goes for gold bombshell in Givenchy with super retro curls and bonus red lipstick points. This looks like something Amy Adams might have worn during the American Hustle awards period, which is to say it is smoking hot.
So much sparkly beaded detail on Brie Larson’s Dolce & Gabana frock which is one of the more on theme looks of the night. Also very much feeling her gold headband and red lip color.
I finally stared Empire (so late to this party I know) and Taraji P. Henson is already giving me so much life as Cookie. Here is Henson in beaded Balenciaga adding to the many floral gowns on offer and she looks pretty damn great.
Diane Kruger once again shows why she is a magical fashion unicorn as her Chanel Couture ensemble really shouldn’t work and yet she still looks incredible. Joshua Jackson looks rather spiffy and hey here’s the best dressed couple crown.
Another monochrome beauty and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Roland Mouret also has a dash of color to add to the unusual bodice and belting. It’s a dress I could see Nessa Stein from The Honourable Woman wearing.
TV Ate My Wardrobe 
