Hollywood A-listers and fashion royalty attended the Costume Institue Gala at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art to honour the work of late British fashion designer, Alexander McQueen in an exhibition titled “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” on 3rd may 2011. The Met Ball 2011 gala was chaired by PPR (the group owns the McQueen label) chief executive Francois-Henri Pinault and Pinault’s wife Salma Hayek and co-chaired by Vogue’s Anna Wintour (who wore Chanel Couture), actor Colin Firth, and designer Stella McCartney. We highlight some of the looks seen at the gala.
White + Long Sleeves Dresses
White is right and long sleeves are most definitely in. Emma Stone in Michael Kors one shoulder gown, Leelee Sobieski looking absolutely gorgeous in a Vionnet Sarah gown accessorized with leaf belt and Nicole Richie in thirties dress with cutout detail on the embellished long sleeves. Sarah Burton in a flowing white caftan, still glowing from her recent stint as Kate Middleton’s wedding dress designer.
Alexander McQueen Dresses
Some of the celebs who turned up, wearing Alexander McQueen dresses. Salma Hayek in a beige tulle gown, Naomi Campbell in white, Chloe Sevigny in black with sweet bow tie accent and Sarah Jessica Parker in a embroidered silver long sleeve sheath gown from 2005 collection.
Nude + Long sleeves Dresses
Rocking the long sleeve trend in various shades of nude — Gwyneth Paltrow in crystal-embroidered gown from Stella McCartney, Diane Kruger in Jason Wu gown with thigh high slit, Renee Zellweger in bataeu neck Carolina Herrera and Fergie in a lovely Marchesa beige gown.
Bright Colors, Cut Outs + More Long Sleeves!
Continuing the solid bright color trend we saw at the red carpet of the Golden Globe Awards. Michelle Monaghan in a long sleeve pink silk gown, Ginnifer Goodwin in an emerald green long sleeve gown with cutouts at the waist from Topshop Unique, Kerry Washington in a seafoam green spaghetti strap gown from Escada, Zoe Saldana in a bright yellow Calvin Klein belted gown and Brooklyn Decker in neon pink Michael Kors.
Floral Textures
These dresses are more subdued in color, allowing textures to take centerstage. Taylor Swift in a one-shoulder J. Mendel couture gown , Hailee Steinfeld in nude lace embroidered asymmetric gown from Stella McCartney, Liv Tyler in a Givenchy Couture by Riccardo Tisci dress and Dakota Fanning in Valentino Resort 2011 collection gown with floral appliques.
Nude Drapes + Sparkly Details (Baby Bump Optional)
Earthy tones got the sparkle and drape treatment -- Blake Lively wearing a Chanel Couture gown, accompanied by Karl Lagerfeld. Pregnant Kate Hudson in a gold stretch silk and crystal embroidered strapless gown from Stella McCartney and Jessica Alba in Ralph Lauren Collection custom platinum lamé strapless bustier gown with crystal-encrusted silk tulle overlay. As Natalie Portman had shown on the Oscar red carpet, beautiful drape dresses are friends of baby bumps and these hot mamas worked the trend beautifully.
Mermaid Dresses
A style best suited to the statuesque or supremely confident as demonstrated by these three ladies -- Gisele Bündchen shines in a red fishtail gown from Alexander McQueen’s Fall 2005 collection, Ashley Greene in a custom-made Donna Karan dress and Christina Ricci in Zac Posen.
Tulle Layers
Wedding belles, bridal inspired styles -- Jessica Stam in a Tommy Hilfiger ball gown, Miranda Kerr in a flirty short Marchesa dress, and Jennifer Hudson in Vera Wang.
