Miss Alexia cherry-picks her faves from the only red carpet that really matters
Photographs: style.com
Words and illustration (main picture, top) : Alexia Petsinis
New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art annual gala unfolded in its usual swathe of pomp and splendour; a bright spot in the global fashion calendar that rouses a chorus of Ooh la-la’s like no other. It’s the unofficial Fashion Oscars; a fabrication feast and merry mingling of everybody who is somebody. In homage to a Great American Couturier of the 20th century, the museum’s latest exhibition Charles James: Beyond Fashion, attracted a tableaux of rarefied ‘Ladies’, turned out for the evening in delicate and billowing chou-puff ball gowns, silk-piped elbow gloves and chic chignons that whispered of all matters High (Sartorial) Society.
Lady Wintour herself (co-host of the event, also honoured by the Museum’s newly reopened Anna Wintour Costume Centre) reportedly requested a strictly white tie and decorations dress code. And not a single gala-goer appeared to disappoint. Top hats, cuff links and custom Saville Row-esque garb were the order of the evening for gents, a return to old world elegance on the red carpet.
A dashing Bradley Cooper assists Sarah Jessica Parker (in extravagant Oscar De La Renta and long evening gloves) on the crimson steps…
Aerin Lauder was a vision of classical ethereality in Oscar De La Renta, floral silk jacquard spilling across womanly curves.
Aerin Lauder
Emmy Rossum bloomed in a sunny Carolina Herrera, its thick silk sateen box pleats falling in doughy folds from a cinched waistline.
Emmy Rossum
British model Suki Waterhouse (below, and main illustration, top) did frothy Romanticism rather well in a ruffled flesh-pink Burberry gown. Voluminous, and featuring a dramatic train, it called to mind 19th century silhouettes of Ladies in Waiting court attire, but modernised by splendid blunt-cut organza ruffles spraying out from the lass in every direction.
Suki Waterhouse
Hailee Steinfield’s black and white Prabal Gurung gown featured illusionistic panels and an impressive expanse of fabric that rolled sensuously off the hip line. The creation might be appreciated as a modern rendition of Charles Worth’s Art Nouveau evening gowns, passionately caressing the ‘S’ curve of the female form. (Just SSSplendid.)
Hailee Steinfeld
Rachel McAdam cut a gleaming figure in the streamlined seams of a nude Ralph Lauren tubular design. A sheath of fine woven silk dallied behind her, falling in a modest train redolent of the Boué Soeurs aesthetic of the early 1900’s. A pillar of barely there beauty.
Rachel McAdams
Sarah Jessica Parker has become renowned for showstoppers at this annual event and now, Oscar de la Renta, full, stop! So much volume, radiating from a chic bodice dropped in petal perfection from the waistline. More air in there than a Parisien Laduree Religieuse pastry.
Footnote. While we’re not likely to see many of these looks filtering into mainstream fashion without logistical difficulties (just where does one begin to emulate delicate ‘cream puff’ for the everyday consumer for $59.99?), was truly inspired, fell in love with dressing up again. That’s the Met Gala; magic and mastery of couture crafts.
