A Wardrobe Fit for a McQueen: The Met Gala's Ode to Alexander

Every year The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala is one of the most epic nights in fashion.  It may be because we are all craving more red carpet fodder after the post Oscar drought. Or, it may be because it is one of the few occasions where it is not only expected, but completely appropriate to pull out all the stops. I personally love this event because it is the one time of year proper credit is given to the visioniers behind pieces that we wish would fill our wardrobes.

Pointed out by ThreadNY, The Gala has a long history.  The Gala first started 1948 when, due to the delicate nature of its collection, they could no longer sustain a permanent collection in The Met's "basement."  The ticket's cost only $50 and the women who attended could actually wear costumes from their collection. (Oh! What I wouldn't give to rifle through the wardrobe of the Costume Institute. Let alone wear something from it! It contains over 75,000 garments and accessories!)

Although Vogue's, Anna Wintour, attended her first Met Gala in 1988, it wasn't until she hopped on board as Co-Chair of the Gala in 1995 that it became a truly star-studded affair. The Gala has since honored legendary designers such as Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, and this year, Alexander McQueen. They have also organized the shows based on style icons such as Jackie Onasis and Iris Apfel. These special exhibits have not only provided a venue for historic red carpet moments, they have also provided a venue for showing the sometimes overlooked artisnal qualities of fashion. It doesn't hurt that the event also helps raise a ton of money.

Anna Wintour attending the 1988 Met Gala

Anna Wintour at the 2011 Met Gala
wearing custom Chanel Haute Couture

Having Alexander McQueen inspire this year's Gala also inspired some pretty daring fashion. Starlets who usually play it a little safe took the opportunity to spice it up and take a leap of fashion faith, (ahem, Taylor Swift). I personally think it was a leap well worth it...With J. Mendel holding your hand it's generally hard to go wrong.  Or, Ginnifer Goodwin in Topshop. The color is a bold choice but a spot on trend for the upcoming fall season, and I love it paired with the graphic shoe and pixie haircut. For those of you who were wondering, Topshop is model (and close friend of Alexander McQueen) Kate Moss's line.


Taylor Swift wearing J. Mendel with the dress' designer
Gilles Mendel



Ginnifer Goodwin in Topshop

While others, who already like to push the fashion envelope took it one step further.  Nina Ricci's dress is definitely one that will cause some debate. Some may think it's a little too "costumey" but then again it is the Costume Institute Gala. I think Alexander McQueen would have appreciated the ethereal texture of the dress, and the extreme silhouette.

Christina Ricci in Zac Posen, with the dress' designer
at her side.  A strong interpretation of the night's theme:
"Savage Beauty"

The McQueenian theme seemed to bring out the dark, Gothic side of many of the attendees, and rightfully so. It also seemed to awaken their love for feathers and Klimt like studies in glitter.  Liv Tyler chose to support the feather trend in a cream and yellow Givenchy number. I like that Liv Tyler wore Givenchy, the design was actually a little reminiscent of the collections when McQueen was their creative director. One of my other favorites for the night, Diane Kruger in Jason Wu. It's a whole lotta leg, but the gorgeous Klimt-esqe detailing at the top balances her out. I doubt anyone else could pull this off without looking a little too scandalous.



Liv Tyler in Givency with the dress' designer
Riccard Tisci



Diane Kruger in Jason Wu

While the celebs who attended last night's gala were able to remember him through his work by getting the first look at the Museum's "Savage Beauty" Exhibit (us normies have to wait until May 4 to actually walk through) we are able to remember him by the fashion worn by his many muses on the red carpet.  While Sarah Jessica Parker once walked hand in hand with McQueen on the red carpet, she now represented him in an amazing sparkling gown from the McQueen Archives. 

Alexander McQueen with Sarah Jessica Parker
in matching McQueen Tartan at the Met Gala
2006

Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen Met Gala 2011

I thought another muse of McQueen's ,Naomi Campbell's, feathered dress was one of the more avant-garde of the night. It was amazingly unreal.

Naomi Campbell in Alexander McQueen

I'm also sure he would have smiled about the bit of theater put on by one of his most influential muses and dear friend Daphne Guinness as she got dressed for the event live, in a Barney's window in this feathered McQueen runway dress. If you weren't lucky enough to have been walking down Madison Avenue & 61st at 5pm thanks to New York Magazine's The Cutblog, you can watch the performance online here.  (I'm not exactly well-versed in performance art... What are your opinions?)



Daphne Guinness in Alexander McQueen

The night was a wonderful tribute to a legendary designer and one of the better red carpets in a really long time.  The Costume Gala's already established reputation as a no-holds-bar event was the perfect venue to showcase the avant-gard, theatrical, and inspirational designs of Alexander McQueen.