What They Wore: Fashion Insiders
While some people refer to the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala as the East Coast Oscars, to try and compare it to any other event diminishes its place atop the pantheon of fashionable fêtes. Unlike the Academy Awards or the Cannes Film Festival, where the glamour quotient is just a pretense to promote a film, at the Met Gala, the clothing is the raison d'être! Accordingly, the red carpet (err, zebra) at Monday night's party was chock-full of some of the most iconic faces and figures, which is only appropriate considering this year's theme: Model As Muse. A multi-generational showing of runway queens and editorial stars were in attendance, representing different eras in fashion including: Marisa Berenson (in Dior), Lauren Hutton (in Michael Kors), Twiggy (in Burberry), Iman (in Donna Karan), Stella Tennant (in vintage Helmut Lang), and co-host Kate Moss (in Marc Jacobs) all of whom looked tremendous. These lovelies were joined by a bevy of celebrity beauties, ranging from Mary-Kate Olsen (in Christian Lacroix Haute Couture), to Ashley Olsen (in The Row), to Rachel Bilson (in Bally), to Kate Bosworth (in Stella McCartney). Not to take anything away from these stellar attendees—all of whom can be admired on other sites—but we decided to cover some of the freshest faces on the scene instead. These ladies not only work in the industry currently, but they also embody the height of fashion.
Before we get to the main event (the gowns!), let us draw your attention to the exhibition for which the gala was thrown. This summer's show is entitled the Model As Muse: Embodying Fashion, which explores the relationship between designers and models in fashion photography and popular culture from 1947-1997. As much as designers, photographers, and stylists are the driving creative forces behind an image, the model is the vehicle; they themselves become icons. What would Richard Avedon's unforgettable "Dovima with Elephants" image be without, well, Dovima? Would Rudi Gernreich's "topless" swimsuit be quite so memorable without the bare-chested and statuesque form of Peggy Moffitt? Would Steven Meisel's photographs be so powerful without the glamazon figures of Christy, Naomi, and Linda? We think not!
Considering the exhibit's theme, naturally the most notable names in model-dom made appearances, much to our delight. Even better: most followed co-host Marc Jacobs' pleas to wear short frocks for a "clubby" look (the man is clearly still in the throes of his '80s Danceteria moment). Anja Rubik and Daria Werbowy looked cutting-edge in Balmain dresses from the Fall 09 collection. Rubik opted for a metallic strapless number, while Werbowy picked a darker hued piece with a plunging neckline. Lara Stone showed up arm-in-arm with fashion darling Alexander Wang, wearing the designer's glimmering gold asymmetrical dress and ankle booties. Model/stylist Vanessa Traina also decided on short boots to go with her belted navy Phi dress. The lovely Liya Kebede picked an abbreviated (and backless) Derek Lam floral frock from the designer's upcoming Resort 09 collection which she paired with horn-heeled mauve suede shoes from the upcoming Fall 09 season as well. Sasha Pivovarova made a dramatic statement in a body-con Giambattista Valli mini, which she styled with a beautiful cascading peacock cape from the designer's Fall 09 collection. In keeping with their modern and unfussy dresses, these ladies went for simple hair and makeup, as well as minimal and spare jewelry selections, which helped them look young, fresh, and completely current.
Of course, not everyone adhered to the high-hemline mandate. The always-cool Lily Donaldson wore a Narciso Rodriguez gown, in the style of what we at Who What Wear headquarters affectionately refer to as the reverse-mullet dress (party in the front, formal in the back!). This was the dark-horse silhouette of the evening, additionally appearing on Lou Doillon (in Nina Ricci), Jessica Biel (in William Rast), and Bee Shaffer (also in Nina Ricci). That said, there were loads of proper gowns in attendance as well. Most notably, Natalia Vodianova showed up in a simply stunning vintage Fortuny column gown in a geranium pink hue. Unlike some of her tough-chic contemporaries, Vodianova gilded the lily with Fred Leighton and H.Stern jewelry.
The other promising trend of the night was a no-skirt approach to evening wear, à la Erin Wasson. Along with fellow pant-picking guests such as Stella McCartney (in her own lacy jumpsuit design), Leighton Meester (who made her mark in Louis Vuitton), and Rihanna (who mastered the masculine-feminine mix in a Dolce & Gabanna satin suit with very voluminous shoulder poufs), Wasson skipped the traditional gala gear entirely and instead wore Phi leather pants embellished with punky zippers and a Phi tuxedo jacket.
All in all, the annual event was an exercise in inspiration, not just because it provided us with some seriously stylish eye candy to sate our appetite until 2010's soirée, but also because it raised enough money to keep the Costume Institute well-funded for another year! Bravo!—KM
Before we get to the main event (the gowns!), let us draw your attention to the exhibition for which the gala was thrown. This summer's show is entitled the Model As Muse: Embodying Fashion, which explores the relationship between designers and models in fashion photography and popular culture from 1947-1997. As much as designers, photographers, and stylists are the driving creative forces behind an image, the model is the vehicle; they themselves become icons. What would Richard Avedon's unforgettable "Dovima with Elephants" image be without, well, Dovima? Would Rudi Gernreich's "topless" swimsuit be quite so memorable without the bare-chested and statuesque form of Peggy Moffitt? Would Steven Meisel's photographs be so powerful without the glamazon figures of Christy, Naomi, and Linda? We think not!
Considering the exhibit's theme, naturally the most notable names in model-dom made appearances, much to our delight. Even better: most followed co-host Marc Jacobs' pleas to wear short frocks for a "clubby" look (the man is clearly still in the throes of his '80s Danceteria moment). Anja Rubik and Daria Werbowy looked cutting-edge in Balmain dresses from the Fall 09 collection. Rubik opted for a metallic strapless number, while Werbowy picked a darker hued piece with a plunging neckline. Lara Stone showed up arm-in-arm with fashion darling Alexander Wang, wearing the designer's glimmering gold asymmetrical dress and ankle booties. Model/stylist Vanessa Traina also decided on short boots to go with her belted navy Phi dress. The lovely Liya Kebede picked an abbreviated (and backless) Derek Lam floral frock from the designer's upcoming Resort 09 collection which she paired with horn-heeled mauve suede shoes from the upcoming Fall 09 season as well. Sasha Pivovarova made a dramatic statement in a body-con Giambattista Valli mini, which she styled with a beautiful cascading peacock cape from the designer's Fall 09 collection. In keeping with their modern and unfussy dresses, these ladies went for simple hair and makeup, as well as minimal and spare jewelry selections, which helped them look young, fresh, and completely current.
Of course, not everyone adhered to the high-hemline mandate. The always-cool Lily Donaldson wore a Narciso Rodriguez gown, in the style of what we at Who What Wear headquarters affectionately refer to as the reverse-mullet dress (party in the front, formal in the back!). This was the dark-horse silhouette of the evening, additionally appearing on Lou Doillon (in Nina Ricci), Jessica Biel (in William Rast), and Bee Shaffer (also in Nina Ricci). That said, there were loads of proper gowns in attendance as well. Most notably, Natalia Vodianova showed up in a simply stunning vintage Fortuny column gown in a geranium pink hue. Unlike some of her tough-chic contemporaries, Vodianova gilded the lily with Fred Leighton and H.Stern jewelry.
The other promising trend of the night was a no-skirt approach to evening wear, à la Erin Wasson. Along with fellow pant-picking guests such as Stella McCartney (in her own lacy jumpsuit design), Leighton Meester (who made her mark in Louis Vuitton), and Rihanna (who mastered the masculine-feminine mix in a Dolce & Gabanna satin suit with very voluminous shoulder poufs), Wasson skipped the traditional gala gear entirely and instead wore Phi leather pants embellished with punky zippers and a Phi tuxedo jacket.
All in all, the annual event was an exercise in inspiration, not just because it provided us with some seriously stylish eye candy to sate our appetite until 2010's soirée, but also because it raised enough money to keep the Costume Institute well-funded for another year! Bravo!—KM
Loving Daria and Erin! I have a dress just like the Balmain Daria wore. http://heightsoffashion.typepad.com/
Posted by: Maurenice Bison | 2009-05-15 05:43:16
I love that Erin Wasson decided to wear pants to a formal event! She looks fab. http://thatsjustmybag.onsugar.com/
Posted by: Eva | 2009-05-11 17:00:25
liya is beautiful
Posted by: Lianna | 2009-05-11 16:05:49
I just don't get it, how can all those girls be so beautiful, have figures to die for and be so naturally stylish. All of them are so stunning and there outfits are amazing. My favourite though is definitely Sashas coat, don't think I could quite pull it off though...
Posted by: tor... | 2009-05-11 06:32:07
Im in LOVE with anja rubik's dress!
Posted by: mischa | 2009-05-07 20:08:20
i love liya's look, not liking the last one very much. the shoulders are a little to stiff for my taste. bonbon’s vintage
Posted by: connie | 2009-05-07 16:01:02
everyone looked the same that night.....short sequined mini dresses and booties.....def not as glam as the past years.
Posted by: lrl | 2009-05-07 10:47:33
My 2 favorite models are wearing Balmain. Anja and Daria are so perfect.
Posted by: Diana | 2009-05-07 10:27:41
These looks are all amazing, as always Erin Wasson is looking her best in black. Love it! thegirlbehindthemirror.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Kendra | 2009-05-07 01:45:47
hollywood has oscars, the fashion industry has the Costume Institute Gala. it really could be one of the biggest night in the year. WWW has presented the 'leading actress' - the models. but there is more. the celebs, supermodels, designers, even chief editor of magazines were present. I've tried to cover as more as possible fab photoes, but the following link is only part of it. even though, it's maganificant. http://www.journeytofashion.com/read.php?67
Posted by: Leann | 2009-05-06 22:56:15
Erin and Vanessa look stunning in Phi!! Hope to see more of it on the red carpet.
Posted by: susan | 2009-05-06 19:26:50
sasha takes the cupcake for being bold! http://messymaisies.blogspot.com
Posted by: maisie #1 | 2009-05-06 18:52:31
I like Anja, Daria and Vanessa best, all very simple, unfussy outfits, yet great impact. Some of the attending actresses should have taken a leaf out of their book...
Posted by: Caitlin | 2009-05-06 18:41:23
Daria is pure glam! I know anyone would look good on that Versace, but God! She looks perfect!
Posted by: Isabela T. | 2009-05-06 18:31:07
love anja and lily's dresses..i'd kill for that balmain number! but Erin is Queen...she is the coolest of them all
Posted by: lulu | 2009-05-06 17:47:27
Erin, Daria, Lara and Anja, Liya big ups! Sasha's too messy and she looks frumpy next to Anja. Imagine how a normal person would look next to her... Yikes! Always loved Daria as a model, she has an awesome and distinguished look. Love!
Posted by: Vanessa | 2009-05-06 17:10:51
DARIA LOOKS AMAZING! She always has this attitude! To me she's one of the best supermodels. And I think she looks the best here.
Posted by: TNN | 2009-05-06 15:44:32
Actually, Sasha is stunning - that coat is smashing!
Posted by: Taylor | 2009-05-06 15:44:31
yeah, jessica biel most definitely was NOT wearing william rast. william rast would never make a gown or any dresss like that. it was versace atelier.
Posted by: vi | 2009-05-06 15:40:45
justin timberlake wore custom william rast, not jessica.
Posted by: sarah | 2009-05-06 15:12:38
OMG! daria looks totally amazing + shes rockin DISCO TIGER! lol if that dont make sense to u shame on u go look at http://everyone-elses-girl.blogspot.com/ + it will make sense xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: skye | 2009-05-06 14:11:34
Vanessa and Anja are my favorites! http://blog.ebates.com/ebates/
Posted by: Lindsay | 2009-05-06 12:50:14
Anja and Daria my two favorites.. they look absolutely fabulous!
Posted by: Erin | 2009-05-06 12:17:45
oh oh. vanessa traina is incredible! x egotrippingatthegates.blogspot.com
Posted by: D | 2009-05-06 12:17:07
LOVELOVELOVE daria's dress/jacket. erin looks amazing! i also loved miranda's jil sander dress. it was stunning! www.leblase.blogspot.com
Posted by: diane | 2009-05-06 11:18:32
Erin looks so fab and polished! It might just be me...but I am kinda over the whole Balmainia.
Posted by: liz | 2009-05-06 11:09:55
Love Liya and Daria!!! So hot! I have pics up on my blog too! www.lovellegirl.blogspot.com
Posted by: Tara | 2009-05-06 10:05:57
I agree with Chrissy. I was under the impression that J. Biel was showing up in William Rast, but it's been reported her dress is Versace...so which is it????
Posted by: Danyelle | 2009-05-06 09:47:09
anja, im in love.
Posted by: ami | 2009-05-06 09:46:07
Anja & Daria - wow! xo http://yvetteyeau.com
Posted by: Yvette | 2009-05-06 07:23:19
Some people are saying Jessica's dress was Atelier Versace... but she was rumored to be wearing William rast... So which is it, I don't believe it looked like a William Rast concotion
Posted by: chrissy | 2009-05-06 06:10:13
Please don't tell me Sasha looks amazing. She looks like she has tuberculosis! Everyone else looks fab.
Posted by: Erock | 2009-05-06 05:51:08
Great pics! I love seeing everyone all dressed up. Erin looks amazing in those leather pants! I also love Vanessa, Liya, and Sasha's outfits!
Posted by: sun | 2009-05-06 03:24:26
daria and anja look amaaazing
Posted by: r | 2009-05-06 02:14:39
They are all amazing!! Is it just me or does everyone have AMAZING legs showing under their TO DIE FOR outfits?? I cant help but be envious of this lol..
Posted by: Shannon | 2009-05-06 02:14:15
who could stand next to anja, natalia or daria and call themselves anything but dowdy? killer!
Posted by: sarah | 2009-05-06 02:08:26