Dress Up

How Beyoncé and Katy Perry Won the Met Gala Red Carpet

<p>Bey came in embroidered latex, Katy Perry in regal Prada, and a brilliant sea of superstars supported in metallics and dramatic shapes at this year's Gala to launch the Met's fashion exhibit, <a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2016/manus-x-machina"><i>Manus x Machina</i></a>.</p>

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By Tim TeemanMay 02, 2016

galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-44_l63hpa — Beyoncé in Givenchy: brilliant because it’s embroidered latex, it’s condom chic, and therefore a well-read and interpreted take on the theme of the evening, which was about fashion, the future, and materials in tricksy interplay. And, wow, she looks indisputably beautiful and amazing.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-43_qhdg1j — Well, there is no one like Solange. And here, in yellow, and structures and shapes in delicious conflict, she reminds us that the future of fashion may be at the Met in the new show, and it is also on her. Divine.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-40_bk7xhl — Katy Perry is so uncool in so many of her fashion choices, and seemingly at a creatively subordinate level to Beyoncé and Taylor S. Well, not tonight. In regal Prada, and with hair and makeup doing all kinds of wonderful, towering and sharp things, Katy Perry knocked all the opposition off the cool perch. Fantastic.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-37_cistzn — In the pantheon of “can do no wrong” on red carpets, Nyong’o shows not just beauty but bravery and creativity. Always. Hair is best hair yet of 2016. Her leaning tower of hair is a more wondrous thing than the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-35_qmqonm — Thank goodness someone got the memo that it was about the future, and to have fun with big hair. Gaga, salute.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-38_cqrp1s — Fabulous. Some interpreted the future theme as to go sexy, others just to wear silver, and others—like Nicki, Beyoncé, and Solange—actually thought about how to be inventive and challenging with structure, material, and shape.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-39_pndgl7 — Hair by wind machine, and artful craziness with dress scissors. The joy of red carpet red with Amy Schumer, via Alexander Wang.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-42_x4m8vm — Silver, more silver, silver, and excellent hair. Kanye growled that his look was about “vibes.” Kim said she was a sexy robot. Awww.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-18_mllx3j — Bringing “Becky with the good hair” drama with Vera Wang.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-28_dykyae — Stunning, gorgeous, and future-appropriate in Atelier Versace.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-25_t37xzx — Beautiful and dramatic, silver-gray hair the perfect accessory, and a sheer dress that’s like the most stylish minimalist Christmas tree.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-11_zyboob — Hey, Ms. Robot.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-41_aay52d — A chaotic, delightful melange of everything, like a Victorian governess moonlighting as an online bondage madam, and including a good old-school showing of ass by Madonna. Never knowingly underdressed, she was also wearing something around her head Indiana Jones dropped when fighting off a bunch of snakes or something.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-23_ba52ee — Watch out, anyone behind Zoe Saldana in Dolce and Gabbana: Lady’s got a train, and she knows how to use it.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-26_itp733 — Enjoying the Broadway success of The Color Purple, and a vision of white luxe glamour.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-33_negjlv — Thank goodness for this crazee brother and sister duo, who continually manage to defy both fashion convention and reality. Bless them.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-01_eyzbzv — The evening’s undisputed goddess, in a commanding white, fringed Chanel gown.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-21_xbjni4 — Misty Copeland, shimmering and precise.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-34_a8qmd1 — This is the coolest of people in the coolest of tricked-up Chanel. Future meets mischief.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-22_kkz56s — No insane hats this time, but she still kills it in white, and a clever riot in short trousers and jacket.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-36_ohkrmu — This appears to be some kind of besuited subversion of all the glitz and drama around them. Jolly good. Jolly predictable.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-31_d44vyj — Not a million miles away from what sister Kim K wore once: a little too heavy and dulling.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-24_hbof9e — Show-stealing for Hillary: Huma Abedin.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-19_dub8n3 — will.i.am took dressing tips from Sia. Lovely.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-20_hrtvvc — Props to Juan Carlos Obando, who designed this dramatic siren-red dress for the tennis star.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-32_mtvocd — The Daily Beast’s future husband in a sexy, hot blue tux.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-17_qlo7sy — Megyn Kelly wants us to know she is the queen of TV news. Defy at your peril. She will freeze you. That hair actually attacks.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-02_boutuj — Anna Wintour’s daughter in a gorgeous black gown, with floral design.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-12_cnfwez — White gown, with EVERYTHING going on, including a butterfly crawling elegantly across her and FEATHERY THINGS.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-03_ioyhqq — Poppy Delevingne wears Marchesa, that manages to be both flapper girl and very modern rock chick, accessorized with an Oroton bag.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-30_u9mx3s — World, meet supermodel, past, present, and shimmering silver future.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-04_cqdan6 — Alicia Vikander rocking the most distinctive early look of the night, in Louis Vuitton.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-05_z36ds7 — Anna Ewers, gorgeous in brightly metallic Jason Wu.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-06_v7bazz — Intricate and classy Christopher Kane dress.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-07_gjuzjc — The gorgeous Idris Elba in Tom Ford.

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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-08_n4k5t7 — The actress wears Erdem.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-09_wv0joh — Roll up, roll up to the circus, Liberty Ross, and say hey to your fellow happy dominatrixes.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-10_prqket — The model-actress is stunning in a flowing, off-the-shoulder white gown from Ralph Lauren Collection.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-13_y2srdw — I’m not sure if it’s influenced by technology, or if it’s simply a way to remind us to stock up on silver foil. Tech-fashion meets reminder to roast chicken.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-14_mfeoem — Black is the color of our future. The Gothic will never go away.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-15_zjbfh4 — I'm not sure which invite Michelle Williams got, but I think she panicked and just hopped in a cab, and now I hope she's dancing up a storm somewhere.
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galleries/2016/05/02/how-to-wow-the-met-gala-red-carpet-photos/160502-teeman-met-gala-16_krner6 — Chaneling Betty Draper discovering the future. Dreary color, bizarre shape, still transfixing.
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