The level of outrageousness was dialed down on this year’s Met Gala red carpet. Sure, there was flesh to be seen, but nothing as eye-popping as in recent years, and no big yellow cloaks, either. Katy Perry dressed up, as did Chrissy Teigen and many others. However some frightful bores did not, and left you wondering why they had consented to coming to a costume gala at all. So, drama gets Daily Beast top marks. Not-drama gets less marks—and nothing shocked us that much this year, even among those going for “drama.” But still, it looked a blast and tomorrow, everyone, go get a hamburger now—y’all deserve it.
Katy Perry is doing what is known as BRINGING IT. Paying proper homage to Rei Kawakubo, in whose honor the Met Gala is in, Perry stunned the red carpet in a red Maison Margiela “Artisanal” creation—swirls of red, wool, veils... the whole darn thing. Do go see the Kawakubo exhibit at the Met (our review is here).
John Shearer
Comme des Garçons is not easy to wear, and Rihanna makes it look like the best kind of funfair.
John Shearer
If you were expecting outrage, you would have been disappointed. Pure white Vivienne Westwood, and dress-down modesty.
Neilson Barnard
Of course, Solange Knowles turns up in a kickass Thom Browne coat with a train. Amazing.
Theo Wargo
Our favorite showgirl, dressed in custom H&M with obi belt featuring Kawakubo’s face, knocks the Met down.
Neilson Barnard
In La Perla, which makes sense, ’cos there ain’t much of it. Bum power.
George Pimentel
Marvelously mischievous gleam in eye is the perfect accessory here.
Neilson Barnard
In sketches, this Alexander Wang catsuit looks amazing. On the red carpet it looked like a molten river of wrong.
Neilson Barnard
Thank goodness for them, for they do stare down the world so impressively.
Neilson Barnard
Red carpet conqueror, with simplicity as secret weapon.
Dia Dipasupil
Beamed in from another, very cool planet.
Neilson Barnard
The very best of Tommy Hilfiger: structured, diaphanous drama.
John Shearer
Black and white dress, its own dramatic fairytale.
Neilson Barnard
Felicity Jones in a gorgeous Erdem dress.
John Shearer
Well, this is just lovely and crazy and fun: custom Marchesa.
Neilson Barnard
The peacock is ready for her close-up.
Neilson Barnard
When a diva goes out on a Monday night, a diva *goes all out* on a Monday night.
Neilson Barnard
All in white, and hair perfectly matched.
Neilson Barnard
Jeremy Scott designed this camo-gown. Jeremy Scott loves The Young and the Restless. Therefore, Jeremy Scott is amazing.
John Shearer
Memo to gothic princesses: This is how you do it.
John Shearer
Vogue editor in chief in glittering custom Chanel.
George Pimentel
Slink, slink away in Stella McCartney.
John Shearer
Red slashed and paneled dress, with hair direct from Studio 54.
Kevin Mazur
Drama from the Broadway star. Black bodice and enough ruched material to sink a rather hefty ship.
John Shearer
Black plunging V—a theme of the night, it would seem—and a slit-skirt by Alberta Ferretti.
John Shearer
This is how you wear black, commandingly.
John Shearer
Danes shows how deconstruction can work best, and how to wear it with style—even if it looks like you may be en route to a padded cell.
John Shearer
Never knowingly under-styled: Williams and wife Lasichanh, who is in resplendent red Comme des Garçons (Fall 2017).
John Shearer
Lace and propriety: Both mother and daughter are in demure Marc Jacobs.
Kevin Mazur
Cute, isn’t he? How to wear a tux that fits SNUG. Thanks, H&M.
Dimitrios Kambouris
Elizabeth Kennedy designed this outfit, perfect for a Highland whirl.
Neilson Barnard
Yes, that really is Marnie. She’s in DVF. She is owning DVF.
John Shearer
A gorgeous Zac Posen dress that is somewhat wearing Holmes.
Dimitrios Kambouris
Black and white and red, tux and gown—and what a person who loves fashion wears to an event all about it.
Dia Dipasupil
Hot guy, hot tux by Ermenegildo Zegna.
Neilson Barnard
When you know that Marc Jacobs wants you to be a mermaid.
Neilson Barnard
Gets more handsome with every tux.
George Pimentel
Some dresses are not your Met Gala friend. Urgent buddy required for future red carpet dressing.
Sean Zanni
Atelier Versace, which would have been fine, had her sister not turned up in not very much La Perla.
Neilson Barnard
Shimmer shimmer Topshop.
Venturelli
Blue and mirror paneled wondrousness.
John Shearer
Correct interpretation of major fashion event requiring serious dress-up.
Neilson Barnard
This is amazing. The ultimate sexy-not-dull coat. Ralph Lauren design: one of the looks of the night. And so handy if it rains!
Neilson Barnard
Anna Wintour’s daughter in one of the most beautiful dresses of the evening by Alexander McQueen. Fairytales-R-Us.
Neilson Barnard
Very pretty, but--for an unfettered dress-up evening--one of the most boring dresses of the Gala. Why bother? Stay home. Alphabetize your gluten-free ingredients.
Kevin Mazur
The spirit of Girls lives on.
Neilson Barnard
Life, fun, and how to wear a knockout dress.
Kevin Mazur
It’s not a big little lie to say this is a tad safe.
Neilson Barnard
Versace, as Versace should be worn.
Neilson Barnard
Both in Valentino. Feel the voltage.
Neilson Barnard
Dress up or go home, they say. Haley Bennett dressed up.
Neilson Barnard
A lovely dress, but a dull dress. When you’ve got Katy Perry doing performance art, it is not the time to go all prom.
John Shearer
Edge, plus edge, plus sheer. Excellent!
Neilson Barnard
A prince in a tartan tux.
John Shearer
Another example of “I thought I’d just wear something pretty. Oh, other people really went for it. Oh well.”
Neilson Barnard
Slash and weave and pout, and swoosh, and out the door we go.
Neilson Barnard
Fabulousness.
George Pimentel
May all men eventually have the funds to look this spiffing.
Neilson Barnard
Excellent use of Comme des Garçons.
Dia Dipasupil
Exquisite drama. Watch out for the train. It bites.
Neilson Barnard
Punked-up Oscar de la Renta at its most sleek.
Neilson Barnard
How to approach a costume gala! Negga's excellent red carpet maverick-ness continues.
Rob Latour/REX/Shutterstock
They came, they dressed up, they hopefully had adventures.
Sean Zanni
Chic and surprising as ever—not least because he appears to be carrying his own hair.
Neilson Barnard
In Comme des Garçons. Beautiful color beautifully worn.
Neilson Barnard
Our one concession to Met Gala simplicity sometimes being just fine. You swayed us, Laura Dern.
Theo Wargo
