Over the past couple months, there hasn’t been a lot to look forward to. Basically every event is canceled, so whether you’re into sports, live theatre and concerts, or just like, drinking somewhere that’s not your house, things have been bleak. And amidst all the disappointment, today is especially depressing. Normally, the Met Gala, held on the first Monday in May, is the most exciting time in the world of fashion (and making fun of fashion), but sadly, this year’s event is indefinitely postponed. But that doesn’t mean we can’t entertain ourselves by looking back at some of the most tragic Met Gala looks from years past.
Remember, the Met Gala is not just about who wore the cutest dress. Every year, there’s a theme, and it is the time to be creative, fashion-forward, and over-the-top. When considering what makes a Met Gala look bad, some of these celebs’ outfits were just fugly, but others fundamentally misunderstood the assignment. Here are the worst Met Gala outfits of all time.
Kris Jenner, 2019
The 2019 theme was Camp, which basically begged people to make bizarre choices. But Kris Jenner managed to look weird even given this theme, which is kind of impressive. I know we all joke that she works harder than the devil, but nobody was working hard on this outfit. But maybe that was the problem. Was she so tired of everyone calling her the devil that she decided to dress as Glinda the Good Witch? This is truly upsetting. She looked like a cross between the Tooth Fairy and the Fairy Godmother, which I guess would make her the Fairy Godmomager. Also who did her spray tan, Tan Mom?
Ashley Graham, 2019
Remember, the theme was CAMP. Do something crazy. This was not the time to come in a Gucci logo dress, lookin’ like your grandma’s strawberry sucking candy. Ashley looked gorgeous, and her body is obviously to die for, but that’s not the point. Where is the DRAMA? I’ve been wearing a top with no pants for the last 55 days, it’s called quarantine chic. This was a swing and a miss.
Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen, 2018
The 2018 theme was Heavenly Bodies, and the Olsen twins didn’t fully miss the memo. But they’ve been dressing in mysterious cloaks and capes for like, what, a decade now? So I was kind of hoping to see a little more from them. Instead, they’re both serving middle school pottery teacher realness. I’m willing to bet on my most-liked Instagram photo that at least one of them was wearing Birkenstocks underneath all of that. Also, why is one twin aging exponentially faster than the other??
Shailene Woodley, 2018
I actually could warm up to this look if someone could please confirm that Shailene Woodley purposefully showed up to the 2018 Met Gala in a Sexy Lord Farquaad costume. Like, go off sis, I love Shrek too! Sadly, I don’t think that’s what she was going for, which makes this outfit totally inexcusable. The more I look at it, the more uncomfortable I get, and from the look in her eyes, I think she knew it was bad, too.
Jennifer Lopez, 2017
Jennifer Lopez is always one of the most stunning people at the Met Gala, but dressing to the theme is not her strong suit. In 2017, the Met Gala celebrated the work of Rei Kawakubo, one of the most influential avant-garde designers. And you know what’s pretty much the opposite of avant-garde? This beautiful flowing blue caftan. J.Lo is basically dressed like Patricia from Southern Charm, and while Patricia is chic AF, she couldn’t be further from the theme.
Madonna, 2017
Madonna always puts in effort at the Met Gala, and for that I am grateful. But I’m sorry, I f*cking hate this dress she wore in 2017. The camo material? Hate. The literal plastic buckle on her belt? Nope. All of the jewelry? Absolutely not. The cape/shawl made out of a different, even worse camo material? The matching CANTEEN that she carried on the carpet?? I’m done. Maybe this worked for the theme, but it didn’t work for my eyes.
Kanye West, 2016
Say what you will about Kim’s outfit, but she looks glam as f*ck, and she’s dressed to theme. Kanye West, however, showed up to perhaps the fanciest even in the world wearing RIPPED JEANS AND A T-SHIRT. His jacket is totally sick, and I think the outfit is cool, but this was at the MET GALA. Fashion’s biggest night! It’s a disgrace.
Emma Stone, 2016
The 2016 theme was about the relationship of fashion and technology, which for most people, just meant wearing metallic dresses. Emma Stone, however, came dressed as an extra from any movie set in Ancient Rome, except I guess the corset is metal? Idk, it’s not anything special, and this look sits at the tragic intersection of basic and ugly. That’s about the worst place to be when Rihanna is a few feet away, shutting down the red carpet.
Donatella Versace, 2015
I have many questions about this outfit. This year’s theme was “China: Through The Looking Glass”, and I have no idea what that has to do with this dress. There’s just so much going on. Why are there 18 kinds of netting material? What are those glittery symbols all over? Why does her hair look like that? I really want to jump through the computer screen and trim her bangs. Donatella is iconic, but this look is a total mess.
Kris Jenner, 2015
Pull the lever, Kronk! pic.twitter.com/7JGeAHzGQR
— LADbible (@ladbible) May 5, 2015
We started this list with Kris Jenner, so why not bring things full-circle? Her 2015 Met Gala look was basically just a red silk robe with shoulder pads, complete with a chunky gold belt and some of the largest earrings I’ve ever seen. She looked a little ridiculous, honestly, but it’s probably not as bad as last year’s Tooth Fairy couture. But most importantly, this look was the source of all the “pull the lever, Kronk” memes, because Kris’ botox situation looked absolutely insane. I’m sure a lot of stars get a little, um, touch-up before the Met Gala, but Kris may have gone a little overboard.
Obviously, fashion and taste are subjective, but I feel pretty comfortable sh*tting on these outfits. And if you liked them, sorry, but it’s really not that big of a deal. Sadly, we won’t get a new crop of outfits to roast tonight, but hopefully Miss Rona hurries the f*ck up out of here, so we can still have a Met Gala at some point this year. After all that’s been taken away from us, we deserve to see some Rihanna glam.
Images: Sean Zanni / Contributor (2), George Pimentel (2), Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Contributor / Getty Images; Sky Cinema / Shutterstock.com, Ovidiu Hrubaru / Shutterstock.com (2); ladbible / Twitter
Last night was the annual Met Gala, and many of the world’s biggest stars took to the red carpet to show us their interpretations of Camp. Some nailed it, while others were more on the boring side, but there was a lot going on. While we were busy focusing on A-listers like Cardi B and Jennifer Lopez, there were also some random faces on the pink carpet. The Met Gala is a notoriously exclusive event, so how did these unfamiliar faces manage to get tickets? Call Kris Jenner, because this is a job for the FBI.
Liza Koshy
One of the first people on the pink carpet last night was Liza Koshy, looking like she was smuggling a TV under her Balmain dress. Liza is a famous YouTuber who got her start on Vine (RIP), and her videos have more than two billion combined views. Damn. She’s also a co-host of MTV’s TRL, which I didn’t realize was still on. She was at the Met Gala this year as a Vogue correspondent, interviewing other celebs on the red carpet. Somewhere, Giuliana Rancic is having a tantrum that she didn’t get this gig.
James Charles
While we’re on the subject of famous YouTubers, let’s talk about James Charles. Full disclosure, I can’t stand James Charles. He’s an obnoxious YouTube makeup guru, who has a history of saying super problematic/racist things, and he’s also annoying as f*ck. James was invited by YouTube (unclear why they get invitations) and dressed by Alexander Wang, because sure, why not?
Chris Lee
Like I said, I can’t know everyone in the world, and we all have pop culture blindspots. Turns out that Chris Lee is a super famous singer from China, and it’s exciting to see celebs from around the world getting equal opportunity exposure at the Met Gala. More of this, please! The one unfortunate thing is that the gown Gucci gave her looks way too similar to the one Saoirse Ronan was wearing, also by Gucci. Why would they do this?
Charlotte Casiraghi
Whoever this is, she definitely didn’t understand the theme. When I Googled Charlotte Casiraghi, the first thing the internet told me is that she’s an “Italian industrialist.” I’m not sure what that means, but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t get you invited to the Met Gala. On second glance, and more importantly, it turns out Charlotte is eleventh in line to the throne of Monaco. Her grandmother was Grace Kelly. Casual. Now I understand why she’s on the guest list, but I’m still really struggling with her dress that looks like it was made from shredded records.
The Entire Cast Of ‘Riverdale’
Look, Riverdale has never been my cup of tea. It’s not for me, but I understand that it’s very popular. But I’m a little surprised that almost everyone in the main cast merited an invitation to an event like the Met Gala. Like, Lili and Cole? Sure. But Camila Mendes’ yellow and blue nightmare looked like a Teen Choice Awards mistake, and Madelaine Petsch’s Tinkerbell couture was, um, also a choice. Good for them I guess, because I certainly wasn’t invited.
Caroline Trentini
In the grand scheme of things, it’s really not that random that Caroline Trentini was invited. She’s a model, and random models make up about a quarter of the Met Gala guest list. But I was a little surprised at her outfit. It’s by Thom Browne, who also dressed Cardi B this year, but I really can’t with the Party City skeleton look. I’m sure this dress was very expensive, but like Countess Luann says, money can’t buy you class.
Who Was Noticeably Absent?
Usually, Met Gala Monday unofficially doubles as Rihanna Day. Rih knocks it out of the park every single year, but this year she didn’t show up. She addressed her absence on her Instagram by playing with that f*cking makeup, and also declared Anna Wintour best dressed. I’m glad she didn’t ignore that the Met Gala was happening altogether, but I’m still pretty pissed that she didn’t show up to teach everyone how to stick to a theme.
Rihanna wasn’t the only high-profile absence from this year’s Gala. Past red carpet all-stars that were also missing included Sarah Jessica Parker, Blake Lively (who gets a pass only because she is pregnant), Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Madonna. I’m sure they all had great excuses, but I’m gonna need them all back in 2020 with some incredible fashion. Thanks in advance!
Images: @foreverlizakoshy, @jamescharles, @urnotchrislee, @Charlotte.casiraghi, @cherylfeed, @carolinetrentini, @badgalriri / Instagram
Ah, the Met Gala. Every year, on the first Monday in May, the top names in fashion and entertainment gather to celebrate how rich and hot they are, and it’s always a treat. I mean, it’s technically a fundraiser, but we’re all here for the dresses. Year after year, the world’s best designers give us some serious couture looks based on whatever the theme is, and this year was no different. The thing is, this year’s theme (Camp: Notes on Fashion) was kind of an enigma. What exactly is camp? It’s hard to describe, but it’s basically an art that celebrates all things wild, over the top, ironic, and tacky. No, it doesn’t have anything to do with tie-dye or bonfires. Essentially, the only rule for this year’s red carpet was to not be boring. Sounds simple, but some of the stars had more trouble than you’d think (*cough* Kim Kardashian), and that’s mainly who made the worst end of the list. None of these people looked bad, per se, but the worst dressed mainly just bored us. Sadly, Rihanna was not in attendance, but even she did a better job than some of these snoozes. Here’s how everyone else did, for better or for worse.
Best: Lena Waithe
If you’re just learning about camp for the first time, the back of Lena Waithe’s blazer is a good place to start. Like so many things in pop culture today, the roots of what we now think of as “camp” can be traced back to black queer and drag culture, starting in the 1960s. Cultural movements grow and shift naturally through time, but it’s important to remember and pay tribute to those who came before us. For this important statement, Lena instantly had one of the best looks of the night.
Worst: Kim Kardashian
Kim is kind of the worst at the Met Gala in general because she always looks hot, but that’s not the point. She never pushes the boundaries. This year, she just walked straight out of her Vogue cover shoot and wore that exact look to the Met Gala. Seriously, just look at this sh*t:
For someone who does the most 364 days out of the year, I’ll never get why Kim chooses this day of all days to do less.
Best: Katy Perry
Whether you like Katy Perry or not, when it comes to camp, she understands the assignment. I mean, she’s spent 95% of her career dressed as various types of food, so this girl hasn’t met an over-the-top costume she doesn’t like. Most years at the Met Gala Katy looks like an idiot, but this year looking like an idiot was basically the theme, so she nailed it. She looks like Lumière from Beauty and the Beast had a major glow-up (pardon the pun), and I’m 100% here for it. I’m desperate to know how she went to the bathroom in this dress, or moved at all without impaling anyone, though. Beauty is pain!
Worst: Ashley Graham
For the last time, THE THEME IS CAMP. Do something crazy. The time to come in a Gucci logo dress, lookin’ like your grandma’s strawberry sucking candy, was not today. She looks gorgeous, and her body is obviously to die for, but that’s not the point. Where is the DRAMA? This was a swing and a miss.
Best: Lady Gaga
Usually Tom Sandoval is the one who takes a party theme the most seriously, but it was all about Gaga at the Met Gala. Honestly, I love all of these outfits, and I especially love the progression from “family dinner with your parents” to “night out with your girlfriends the second your parents drop you off at your friend’s.” My favorite look is probably the first one, because it reminds me of a couture comforter. But I think I’m going to start bringing a portable phone from 1987 everywhere.
Worst: Halsey
Look, Halsey is gorgeous and so talented, and I don’t hate what she’s wearing—in fact, I could easily see Taylor Swift copying it for the next awards show—but wearing a large skirt does not immediately mean you have successfully done camp. Halsey looks like Jafar put her under his spell, then dressed her. Hourglass sold separately, I assume.
Best: Billy Porter
Much like when he wore a tuxedo gown to the Oscars this year, Billy Porter proved again that he knows how to make a f*cking statement on a red carpet. I’m sure everyone else is kicking themselves that they didn’t think t0 be carried in by a crew of gorgeous men (me at all times), and the moment only got better when he revealed the huge gold wings on his outfit. Please make sure Billy is on the invite list for every red carpet until the end of time, because he’s the only thing keeping me awake for these things.
Worst: Kris Jenner
Kris, Kris, Kris.Kris Jenner managed to look weird even given this theme, which is kind of impressive. I know we all joke that she works harder than the devil, but nobody was working hard on this outfit. But maybe that was the problem. Was she so tired of everyone calling her the devil so she decided to dress as Glinda the Good Witch? This is truly upsetting. She looks like a cross between the Tooth Fairy and the Fairy Godmother, which I guess would make her the Fairy Godmomager. Also who did her spray tan, Tan Mom?
Best: Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe is a f*cking work of art who can do wrong, and this look is only further proof of that. She completely nailed the theme, and it doesn’t feel like she’s trying nearly as hard as a lot of these stars. It probably helps that this is basically an outfit she would wear to a normal event, but whatever. We stan.
Worst: Gisele Bündchen
Did Gisele Bündchen look stunning at the Met Gala? Of course Gisele Bündchen looked stunning at the Met Gala! That’s like asking if water is wet. But it doesn’t change the fact that I am B-O-R-E-D looking at this dress.From the pleating to the belt, this screams more “mother of the bride” than “Anna Wintour’s guest at the most exclusive event in existence.” Gisele was having a grand old time twirling on the red carpet, but she could’ve twirled while wearing something a lot more exciting! The only good thing about this dress is that it was made using sustainable methods by Dior, but like, couldn’t they have made Gisele a fun dress sustainably too?
Best: Cardi B
Cardi B looked like a period incarnate, but she actually lived up to the theme. She saw the top, went over it, and then back around to the bottom and over the top again. (Sorry I’ll see myself out.) But I really liked the monochromatic look, complete with the headpiece and jewels. I don’t watch Game of Thrones, so correct me if this joke is not accurate, but: she looked like the Red Wedding come to life.
Worst: Hailey Bieber
Where do I start? The Wet Seal reject of a dress? The visible whale tail? The overly aggressive spray tan? Or the fact that even given all this, the whole look still managed to bore me? I will give Hailey one bit of credit, and that is that I am completely in awe of that ponytail. Good for the ponytail. Now just ditch everything else about the look, and then we can talk.
Best: Kacey Musgraves
Is this technically campy? Sure, maybe, I honestly don’t even know anymore and I desperately need to go to sleep, but Kacey looks so goddamn good in this Barbie outfit. She already won the Grammys this year, and if there were awards given out at the Met Gala, she probably would’ve won one of those too. God, she’s so f*cking pretty.
Images: Sean Zanni / Getty Images (2); @lenawaithe, @thecut (3), @enews (6), @betches, @theebillyporter, @alarmfashion / Instagram
This year’s Met Gala is just days away. While your favorite celebrities are busy trying to interpret this year’s Camp theme (if you’re imagining tents in the wilderness, please see yourself out), we’ve been thinking about the planning going on behind the scenes. Hosting your average fundraiser is no easy task, and the Met Gala is anything but average (Anna would never hear of it). But how the f*ck do you even go about pulling off an event as massive as the Met Gala? We at Betches have no clue, so we asked the experts at PartySlate to break down what goes into planning an epic fundraising event like the Met Gala.
Selecting the Co-Chairs & Committee Members
Source: PartySlate | Photography: The Metropolitan Museum of Art/BFA.com/Shutterstock | Design, Décor & Floral: Raul Avila Inc. | Venue: Metropolitan Museum of Art | Lighting & Videographer: Frost Productions
Every year, the Met Gala is held on the first Monday in May, and the next year’s planning begins the first Tuesday in May. Yikes, talk about no days off. Much like the beginnings of any large-scale event, one of the first steps is for the host to curate her event team. Hand-selected by Vogue’s infamous editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, this year’s co-chairs are Harry Styles, Serena Williams, Lady Gaga, and Gucci’s Alessandro Michele. Plus, 183 Hollywood stars will serve on this year’s committee, including Blake Lively (her new bump pristinely dressed, no doubt), Lupita Nyong’o, Katy Perry, and Bradley Cooper (who can’t seem to stay away from Lady Gaga—not that we’re mad about it).
Picking the Theme
Source: PartySlate | Photography: The Metropolitan Museum of Art/BFA.com/Shutterstock | Design, Décor & Floral: Raul Avila Inc. | Venue: Metropolitan Museum of Art | Lighting & Videographer: Frost Productions
We’ve loved all of the past Met Gala themes. “China: Through the Looking Glass” had us bowing down to Beyoncé and her fierce sheer gown, while “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” brought us Kim Kardashian in liquid gold Versace. Again, this year’s theme is Camp, and Alessandro Michele told the New York Times, “Camp really means the unique ability of combining high art and pop culture; it is not kitsch.” We live for a red carpet just like every other betch, but we’re most excited to see how the team at Vogue carries the theme throughout the evening, from the red carpet welcome to the dinner party decor.
Curating the Guest List
Year after year, the Met Gala is invitation only—and no, you’re not invited. Whether you pay for your ticket (at $30,000 a head, somebody tell Billy McFarland) or are invited by a designer or Queen Anna herself, you can’t get in the doors unless you’re on the list.
“Creating guest lists for high-profile events and fundraisers can become stressful,” says PartySlate Co-Founder and CEO, Julie Roth Novack. “You want to be strategic and get the right mix of people in the room.”
To no one’s surprise, Anna Wintour selects and approves every last detail of the evening, including the guest list. And we’re pretty sure she’s unconcerned with who may or may not be offended by her choices. Many guests are Met Gala vets, while a handful of newbies are added each year.
Preparing for Red Carpet Arrivals
Source: PartySlate | Photography: The Metropolitan Museum of Art/BFA.com/Shutterstock | Design, Décor & Floral: Raul Avila Inc. | Venue: Metropolitan Museum of Art | Lighting & Videographer: Frost Productions
Skinny arms and thigh-high slits are always on display as guests arrive at the Met Gala. But Novack points out that the red carpet is so much more than a photo op. “The gowns and attire at the Met Gala are also decor, just like the florals or lighting or draping,” she says. “The red carpet is one of the most important parts of the event, because it’s the first time spectators are introduced to interpretations of the theme.” The planning team also has to prioritize media and press placement to capture the entrances; details are incredibly secretive leading up to the event, but from the moment the first celebrities step out of their limos, Vogue wants that international buzz.
Creating the Seating Chart
Keeping the peace between Selena and Justin is just the start of the Met Gala seating chart drama. According to Eaddy Kiernan, who organized last year’s Met Gala, the names for the guest list come together in December—and then the seating chart calculations begin. (Your wedding has nothing on this seating chart, sorry.) The final seating chart is never finalized until about a month out from the event, and even then there are always small tweaks to be made. The team at Vogue considers everything from who will have good conversations during dinner to which tables should be placed closest to the front and back of the room. Still, there can be drama, like when Lena Dunham got offended when Odell Beckham Junior sat next to her all night and still didn’t want to bang her. Guests have even gone so far as to storm out of the dinner if they’re displeased with their seats. Hey, Anna: if you ever need seat fillers, we don’t have plans on Monday.
Selecting the Menu
Source: PartySlate | Photography: The Metropolitan Museum of Art/BFA.com/Shutterstock | Design, Décor & Floral: Raul Avila Inc. | Venue: Metropolitan Museum of Art | Lighting & Videographer: Frost Productions
Similar to the design and decor, a fundraiser’s food, wine, and cocktails should always be aligned with the theme of the night. While it’s still unclear exactly what Camp means, we bet it will be seamlessly integrated into the dinner menu, wine selection, and cocktail options. Wintour has been known to ban certain ingredients; don’t expect anything that could stain gowns or teeth. Cuisine is often one of the most memorable elements of an event, so it’s important to make thoughtful decisions, and always choose dishes that are creative, yet universally enjoyed. And in the case of the Met Gala, under 300 calories per serving.
Prioritizing Fundraising Efforts
Let’s not forget: the Met Gala is a fundraiser. The goal (after social media engagement, of course) is to motivate celebrities, guests, and spectators to reach deep into their silk-lined pockets and raise money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. While some people make donations, many guests don’t actually pay for tickets, so the event is also an important marketing tool to bring in outside funds for the cause. “Charities that create these fabulous experiences always see a return in recurring fundraising,” says Novack, emphasizing the importance of donors who commit to a cause year after year. “A fundraiser like the Met Gala might cost a lot to host, but without a fabulous party, you won’t see the same return.” Last year, the event raised $13.5 million.
Don’t Forget the After-Parties
So, Anna Wintour and her team don’t have a ton to do with this last point, but after-parties are an iconic part of the Met Gala. The fun doesn’t stop on the stairs of the Met, and guests often change outfits before heading to their next destinations. “Only Vogue publishes the full event details—or at least the ones they want us to see—but bathroom shots and after party photos will surface on social media throughout the night,” says Novack. After-parties continue to be a big trend in the event industry, even at the Met Gala.
And that’s pretty much everything you could ever need to know about the Met Gala. Oh wait, we’re sure you’re wondering how you can score an invite, right? Contrary to popular belief, you can go even if you’re not famous, and we broke down how here.
Heads up, ladies, it’s Anna Wintour’s favorite time of the year! Set to take place on Monday, May 6th, the highly-anticipated 2019 Met Gala is fast approaching. This year’s theme is Camp: Notes on Fashion. We’re predicting over-exaggerated styles and over-the-top accessories. Hopefully, Pharell leaves his hat at home.
The Met Gala was established over 50 years ago, so needless to say there have been countless incredible fashion moments since then. Let’s take a walk down memory lane before we see the insane costumes from this year’s event and promptly forget all about the old ones. Read on as we review some of the most iconic Met Gala outfits and explore the designers behind the ~lewks~.
Rihanna and Guo Pei in 2015
Before Rihanna stepped onto the Met Gala red carpet wearing that iconic yellow omelet cape, Chinese designer Guo Pei had been creating couture for more than 30 years. In fact, this exact masterpiece had been designed for a 2012 show in China and it had been at in Guo’s studio until it was snapped up by Rihanna for the big event.
Weighing about 55lbs with a 16ft train, this look wasn’t an easy one to pull off—literally. In fact, when it was first presented in China, the model made it only halfway down the catwalk before the show had to be paused so she could remove the garment and head backstage. At least it probably counted as her cardio for the week?
Fitting for the China: Through The Looking Glass theme, the fur-trimmed cape featured over 50,000 hours’ worth of hand embroidery and took two whole years to make. Let me repeat. Two. Whole. Years. Describing her inspiration behind the design, Pei said, “When I had this design in mind, I a woman that can carry weight on her arms. It’s a dress she has to lift, like she can lift the whole world. I always have a woman like that in mind.” Sooooo… Rihanna? Rihanna.
Blake Lively and Atelier Versace in 2018
Blake Lively’s dress was so long that she literally had to take a party bus to the 2018 ball. First stop senior prom, next stop Met Gala? Inspired by royalty and the renaissance to match the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination theme, Lively and her gown captivated audiences. Her long train was carefully embroidered, and her jeweled corset reportedly took 600 hours to create. I did the math, and you could watch all seven seasons of Game of Thrones 12 times in the time it took to make this corset. The look was complete with sheer panels on either side of her legs and a custom halo that featured 100 carats of champagne diamonds.
In case you didn’t know that Blake Lively is better than you, this piece was custom made for her by Atelier Versace. In case you didn’t know that Blake Lively is better than you part two, she wore $2 million worth of Lorraine Schwartz jewelry to complement her look—this included the custom headpiece, bangles, earrings, and her Lorraine Schwartz engagement ring. Schwartz’s pieces are often worn by celebrities on the red carpet, and her jewels have been spotted on people like Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, and Angelina Jolie. Very casual, no big deal or anything.
Kim Kardashian and Balmain in 2016
Manus X Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology was the theme for the 2016 Met Gala, and Kim Kardashian didn’t disappoint. Kim and Kanye rolled up to the red carpet in coordinating Balmain—Kim in a futuristic silver dress and Kanye sporting a silver jacket, icy blue contact lenses, and ripped jeans. The Balmain pieces were beautiful, but tbh I feel like the boldest fashion move might have been wearing jeans to the Met Gala.
Kim’s garment was created by Olivier Rousteing, a French designer who became the youngest Creative Director of Balmain in 2011 at age 25. Since his takeover, he’s brought a fresh eye (and some insane cheekbones) to the luxury brand.
As anyone who’s seen KUWTK might expect, this look wasn’t the only outfit that was considered. Speaking about the evening before the Gala, Kim said, “When I landed in New York at midnight, I immediately went to see Olivier for a 1am fitting, and we literally cut skirts in half, created tops from dresses, and stayed up until 4am to get the perfect option that we felt fit the theme.” Who knew Kim K was such a DIY queen? I would say that’s relatable, but I can barely turn a regular T-shirt into a crop top without f*cking up. Other potential looks included a gown with jeweled shoulders and sleeves and another that was embellished with pearls and a giant gem in the center of the bodice. In total, Kim received four custom-made dresses from Rousteing before the event.
Rihanna and Comme des Garçons in 2017
Rihanna is the queen of the Met Gala. This is a fact, and anyone who disagrees can fight me. The theme of the 2017 ball was Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons, and in true Rihanna fashion (ha), the singer stepped out onto the red carpet in an attention-grabbing piece. She wore a textured garment that was cut from jacquard florals which made her dress three-dimensional. The piece was designed with an asymmetric hemline and cut-outs, and was first featured in the Comme des Garçons Fall 2016 collection.
It reportedly took Rihanna an hour to get into the strappy Dsquared2 red heels she wore to the gala, and I can’t even imagine how long it took to get them off. Her hair was styled into a top bun, and her makeup complemented the pink shades of the dress with rosy eyeshadow and blush that blended together. On anyone else, that makeup would’ve looked like a 5-year-old discovered their mom’s blush and went to town, but it worked on her.
The 2017 gala was quite the tribute to Rei Kawakubo, who rarely agrees to shows or interviews. Goals, pretty much. She established Commes des Garçons in Tokyo in 1973 and has developed the brand into what it is today—an inventive and stand-out establishment.
Stay tuned for a recap of all the iconic looks we’ll see this year! Until then, feel free to look at pictures of old Met Galas and feel poor.
Images: Karwai Tang/Getty Images; Shutterstock (3)
