Met Gala 2015: Best Dressed

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual gala is one of the biggest nights in the fashion calendar. It brings together designers, editors, artists and of course, many celebrities in what always promises to be an exclusive evening of champagne and wonderful art. This year, the theme was 'China: Through the Looking Glass,' focusing on Western couture with an Eastern twist, with guests advised to dress in outfits matching the oriental theme. Some took this to the extreme (Lady Gaga) while others such as Kate Hudson and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley went for a more classy approach. And with tickets costing about $25,000 each, the Met Gala is one event you definitely want to look your best!

So who stole the show? I would have to say Queen Bey herself looked incredible. In a sheer Givenchy Haute Couture gown encrusted with jewels by Lorraine Schwartz, Beyoncé was like a shimmering mermaid with a high ponytail and angelic gold make up, looking a little ghetto but with an expensive spin. Yes, her outfit was extremely revealing but if you had this lady's figure wouldn't you want to show it off too? Jennifer Lopez also flashed the flesh in a beautiful red feathered Versace gown, custom made by Donatella Versace herself while reality star and 'Selfie Queen' Kim Kardashian chose a sheer dress by Roberto Cavalli, which also featured plenty of feathers and crystal embroidery. Kim doesn't usually wear Cavalli or many Italian designers for that matter, favouring French brands Balmain and Givenchy instead. So it was nice to see her flying the flag for another fashion label.

Red was indeed the colour of the night. Rita Ora, Poppy Delevingne, Kris Jenner in Balmain, Helen Mirren in Dolce and Gabbana, Amal Clooney in Martin Margiela and Reese Witherspoon all stalked the red carpet in opulent red tones - which is seen as a very regal colour in China. Even the ice queen herself, Anna Wintour, chose a column shaped red frock! Sarah Jessica Parker caused a fashion frenzy when she turned up wearing a huge crown, which looked like red flames were shooting up from her head. Lady Gaga also went for a more extravagant headpiece with a monochrome jeweled crown paired with a black satin dress and a very daring cleavage. Katy Perry and Madonna both attended the ball in near identical Moschino dresses, designed by Jeremy Scott who accompanied the stars on the red carpet. With a black base splashed with bold graffiti colours, Perry looked cool and elegant with the dress suiting her curvy figure. Sophia Vegara and Anne Hathaway also went for a old Hollywood glam look. I loved Anne's gold Ralph Lauren dress which came with a stylish hood.

And who could forget the models? Adriana Lima, Joan Smalls and Irina Shayk were just some of the models strutting their stuff on the red carpet. Kendall Jenner and fellow model Gigi Hadid went for a more sexy look, with Kendall stealing the show in an emerald Calvin Klein dress. Rosie Huntington Whiteley was another of my favourites in a beige cut-out Versace gown, which highlighted her slender figure and pale skin tone. Chinese actress Fan Bing Bing looked amazing in her gold gown and colourful cape, draped over her shoulders. Justin Bieber was another surprise triumph in the fashion stakes in his black and gold Balmain suit, as he steered well away from his ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez who was also looking radiant on the red carpet.

As with every awards ceremony/red carpet event, there are those who get it completely wrong in the style stakes. Rihanna was most definitely top of that list! Never one to shy away from the limelight, Riri split opinions with her heavy, embroidered yellow cape which apparently took almost 2 years to make. The heavy fabric behind her was so long she needed four attendants to help her walk up the stairs,  while on Twitter people were quick to mock her cape, turning it into a pizza base, a Gregg Cornish pasty and even the yellow brick road from The Wizard of Oz. Rihanna wore a bright pink leotard underneath (which again did not go with her canary yellow cape) but nevertheless, at least her outfit fit with the Chinese theme. Kris Jenner looked like a Disney
villain with her gelled black hair and heavy make up while Solange Knowles looked terrible in her Giles Deacon frock which did nothing for her figure.

Overall, I would say this Met Gala was not the most exciting - or glamorous for that matter. Yet it was still a night to remember and a grand opening to the new exhibition, 'China: Through the Looking Glass.'