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The Met Gala is frequently referred to as the Olympics of Style. It's a time when our favorite celebrities pick our their finest dresses and couture level gowns, and battle to have the most talked about look, all while adhering to a pre-determined theme.
This year's carpet was all about the Gilded Age. Taken literally, Gilded means Golden, but the Gilded Age was also a time roughly between 1870 and 1900 that signaled economic growth for the country, thus unequal refinement when it came to dress.
Credit: Museum of the City of New York
Ensembles called for either period pieces or looks decked out in metals, some heralding New York, the home of significant societal resurgance.
When it comes to Met Gala attendees, the theme remains open to interpretation. Take a look at some who got people talking:
Kim Kardashian in Bob Mackie
Credit: Getty
Kim Kardashian chose a Bob Mackie gown, originally worn by Marilyn Monroe to sing Happy Birthday to President John F. Kennedy, as her gown for the night. Of the dress, Mackie once said of Monroe, " She really wanted to wake people up. She asked for something that would make people think she was nude, but her body appeared covered in diamonds when her fur coat came off." The look certainly oozes vintage glamour, but the era is off. Marilyn wore the dress in 1962, while the theme for the night harkened back to an earlier time. That said, the story of the dress, its historical importance, and its whopping reported $5 million price tag made this look one of the most talked about of the night.
2. Cardi B in Versace
Credit: Getty
Cardi B set the gold standard, wearing a Versace gilded dress, fashoined out of a mile of golden metal chains above an illusion tulle column dress in a hand-craft process that took 20 members of the Atelier 1300 hours to complete. Copiously adorned with Medusa Medallions,this look is spot on for the rapstress, and the ensemble was one of the highlights of the night.
3. Teyana Taylor in Iris Van Herpen
Credit: Getty
Teyana Taylor truly marches to the beat of her own drum, and this Iris Van Herpen gown is proof of that. While this look does not quite adhere to the theme (save her metallic adornments), the ensemble makes a statement, and she looks beautiful!
4. Blake Lively in Versace
Credit: Getty
Versace got it all the way right with their red carpet ensembles. Blake Lively looked like Cinderella at the ball in her tulle column dress, embroidered with crystal, metallic leather, paillette, and tri-tone copper foil duchesse. The gown featured an oversized foiled bow at the waist, which unraveled to reveal a second look in verdigris—mirroring the transformation of New York's Statue of Liberty from bronze to oxidized green. According to Versace, "The long duchesse train features a hand painted, foiled, and embroidered celestial map inspired by the 12 zodiac constellations decorating the ceiling of Grand Central Station. The original shape of the dress draws inspiration from American designer, Charles James, while art deco shapes recall New York landmarks like the Empire State building."
5. Janelle Monae in Ralph Lauren
Credit: Getty
Janelle Monae enlivened her signature black and white with a spectacularly beaded and sequined Ralph Lauren Gown, covered with 36,000 jet-black rhinestones. The look also features an elegant bib and hood adorned with shimmering silver crystal stripes and black beaded sequins.. While not quite gilded, this look is certainly beyond glamorous and seems very New York. This was one of my favorites!
6. Sarah Jessica Parker in Christopher John Rogers
Credit: Getty
SJP's CJR gown featured a contoured, patch-worked bodice and pleated ball skirt in shades of Black, Charcoal, Elephant and Ivory silk faille and silk moiré with Swarovski crystal buttons, silk moiré bows. The look, which took 2 weeks to create, was inspired by an 1860’s ensemble by Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley — a black designer who was a dressmaker and confident to First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln.during the Gilded Age. The story of black designers is sometimes lost in the fashion industry, however Sarah Jessica Parker was one of the few celebrities who chose a black designer inspired by a black design icon. She slays.
7. Jodie Turner Smith in Gucci
Credit: Getty
Jodie Turner-Smith wore a custom Gucci crystal strass chain bra and fringed miniskirt with almond pink pleated chiffon open skirt. She completed her look with Gucci High Jewelry earrings in 18kt white gold, pink sapphires and diamonds, bee multifinger ring in 18kt white gold and diamonds, solitaire ring in 18kt white gold, purple tourmaline and diamonds, tiger head ring in 18kt white gold, rubies and diamonds, tiger head bracelet in 18kt white gold, rubies and diamonds and tiger head bracelet in 18kt white gold, rubies and diamonds. Her look was gilded for sure, however it misses the mark slightly, channeling more flapper chic ca 1920's vs. Gilded Age ca 1870. She looks beautiful nonetheless!
8. Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz in Ralph Lauren
Credit: Getty
Drawing inspiration from America’s Gilded Age and its influence on New York City, Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz’s looks celebrated the beauty, passion, and vibrancy of their hometown. Alicia’s duchess satin cape—worn atop a sequined column gown—unveils the cinematic New York skyline through precise craftsmanship, created with more than 200,000 crystal stones. Whilst Swizz pays homage to his home city in our New York Yankees™ jacket and New Era cap, worn with a #RLPurpleLabel handmade cream dinner jacket in silk shantung and black wool tuxedo trouser—finished with #RalphLauren’s black steel #RLStirrup watch and an antique stud set completing the look.
9. Khloe Kardashian in Moschino
Credit: Getty
This was Khloe Kardashian's first time at the Met, and it's normal to play it safe! She stunned in a simple gold gown by Moschino. Similar to her sister Kim, the focus was on beauty.
10. Lizzo in Thom Browne
Credit: Getty
Lizzo looked like the Queen of the Met Gala carpet in a Thom Browne black silk moiré exaggerated hip corset dress, dropped skirt with an oversized chesterfield black duchess satin coat with gold rose, foliage bullion and silk satin stitch embroidery. Her look gave royalty, and unstoppable gilded glamour.
How about you?
See even more coverage on Instagram @FashionBombDaily and stay tuned for my full best dressed list!
You can always find past State of Fashion Articles and subscribe to new ones on Bulletin, and you can keep up with me on Instagram and Facebook!
