By Gretta Monahan
The Met Gala — the event has never been for the faint of fashion heart, and this year’s (held Monday night) was taken to an entirely new level. The spotlight was on genius Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo’s over-the-top designs for Comme des Garcons, and while the stars and supermodels always vie to outdo one another with outrageous garb on the red carpet, Kawakubo’s influence inspired the guests to take more chances than ever.
Who hit the highest notes? Well, there was Gisele Bundchenlooking as jaw-dropping as ever, this time rocking a sleek Stella McCartney dress and Neil Lane jewels. Stunning? Of course. But not nearly as daring as, say, Chrissy Teigen, in a way-cool Marchesa dress that made her look like she’d either been hit by a flurry of snowflakes or a flock of very artistic shedding sheep. Now that’s more in the spirit of the night!
I absolutely loved Kerry Washington’s fitted black-and-white patchwork Michael Kors Collection dress, complete with strategically placed cutouts. J. Lo’s history as an envelope-pushing red carpet dresser wasn’t put to the test in any big way, although she did look awfully pretty and goddess-like in her gauzy robin’s-egg-blue Valentino gown and caftan, reminiscent of a classic Hollywood Elizabeth Taylor, and her accessories were all on point: sparkling Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, a Judith Leiber clutch and Harry Winston jewels.
Other winners: Lily-Rose Depp stunned in a gorgeous, candy pink Chanel dress, as did Blake Lively in a blue-feather-tipped Atelier Versace gown. Janelle Monae never disappoints — here in a black-and-white haltered piece that gave way to a ginormous skirt of fluffy white feathers. Meanwhile, Selena Gomez was pure innocence and simplicity in a Coach-designed flowing dress that was part gown, part negligee. And in contrast to that innocence and simplicity, there was Kendall Jenner, who rocked a nearly naked, sheer black gown by La Perla Haute Couture that covered only the essentials and featured 85,000-plus crystals and a thigh-high slit, as well as another cross-body slit across her torso.
And then there was Rihanna. She paid the most direct homage to the theme in a fantastical (and fantastic) Rei Kawakubo creation — a ruffled and intricate floral dress from Comme des Garcons. Rumor had it took more than an hour for her just to get into her shoes, which were red Dsquared2 thigh-high strappy heels. For all that effort and the bravado it took to pull the look off, all hats were off to her. (Although we’re still wondering how she managed to sit down …)
