MET Gala 2012

If you have been reading this blog for a year or so, you might already know I am a big fan of the MET Gala. Not only because it's like the fashion equivalent to The Oscars red carpet, but also because it is the chance to see flamboyant dresses that otherwise would be relegated and stuck in the catwalks for being too risky.

This year's theme was Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada's Impossible Conversations. Inspired by Miguel Covarrubias’s satirical “Impossible Interviews” for Vanity Fair in the 1930s, it explores the striking affinities between these two Italian designers from different eras,and their most innovative work. 

A lot of Prada, long dreses, shiny golden paillettes, feathers, transparencies and -shockingly- orange as one of the prefered colours of the night. Though as every year there were many attendants who didn't understand that "risk" is the dress code in this gala, there were some other many pleasant surprises and vibrant homages to the iconic designer women of the night. Here is the last night's review.

The White

Amy Adams in Valli Couture, Anja Rubik in Anthony Vaccarello, Amber Valetta in Prada, Claire Danes in J Mendel.

White had recently been chosen like the new black. A classic for those celebrities who want to get it right but think black is too safe. Last night seemed like it was losing its place as one of the most chosen colours for galas, but it still helped many look stunning, just look at Anja Rubik.

The Black

Cate Blanchett in Alexander McQueen, Mary Kate Olsen in The Row, Rihanna in Tom Ford, Linda Evangelista in Prada.

Black is black, and there will never be a red carpet without someone looking beautiful and elegant in black, right Cate Blanchett? It was one of the model's favourite (Gisele Bundchen, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Carolyn Murphy), and it was sported in several kinds of fabric: from rocker leather (Rosario Dawson) to delicate lace (Rooney Mara).

The Orange

Eva Mendes in Prada,Kirsten Dunst in Rodarte,Ginnifer Goodwin in Monique Lhuilier,Kristen Wiig in Stella McCartney

One of the suprises of the night. Orange took over red and the red carpet. From Emma Roberts lovely tangerine Escada dress to Kristen Bell's Tommy Hilfiger choice or Katharine Mcphee's Elie Saab. It was the last night's star without any doubt. My favourite one? Kirsten Dunst.

The Golden

Bianca Brandolini in Dolce&Gabbana, Dree Hemingway in Philip Green, Karolina Kurkova in Rachel Zoe, Jessica Pare in Versace

Nobody can resist a bling-bling dose of golden paillettes or lamé. Careful here, you can suffer a shiny overdose, just like it happened to Bianca Brandolini; or be compared to Kate Moss, or even worse, mix it with Greek inspiration and look dispensable (Jessica Alba). Dree Hemingway knew how to do up the look.

The Mini

Chloe Sevigny in Miu Miu, Gwyneth Paltrow in Prada, Stella Tennant in Chanel, Carey Mulligan in Prada.

I critised Alexa Chung last year's dress for not suiting the occasion, but it seems that short dresses are becoming a more acceptable choice in red carpets, and I have to admit there were some great choices. If we're talking mini dresses, we're talking some Balmain (Joan Smalls). Even Emma Stone's endless Lanvin alliance went short this time. Still, Chloe Sevigny and Gwyneth Paltrow were the best dressed ones in this category.

The Inner Style

MIA in Stella McCartney, Sarah Jessica Parker in Valentino, Alexa Chung in Marc Jacobs., Florence Welch in McQueen.

 And there is always those people who don't really care about dress codes or what's appropiate to wear. They follow their inner style, choose clothes of their taste and pull off incredible looks. All of the ladies in this section looked stylish and individual, and that's something to admire.

The Dark Lips

Kate Bosworth in Prada, Camilla Belle in Ralph Lauren, Rachel Zoe, Lana Del Rey in Altuzarra

If we talk make-up and hair, we can point out most of the assistants went for natural looks, even though hair down is not always the best match for a gala dress. Diane Kruger's hair, for example, along with the Prada dress she chose, made her look far less remarkable than she uses too. Dark lips were the salient beauty detail. A bold pick that can make you look unique (Camilla Belle) or dangerously like a witch - I'm sorry Rachel Zoe and Lana Del Rey-.

The Wrong

Kristen Stewart in Balenciaga, Leighton Meester in Marchesa, Beyonce in Gucci, Scarlett Johansson in Dolce&Gabbana.

Before we check the best dressed of the night, a quick look to the worst dressed. Who adviced Kristen Stewart than she could wear that? The Balenciaga outfit is difficult enough itself, and she clearly didn't had what it takes to make it look good. Whatever it was, she didn't look comfortable in it. Leighton Meester and Scarlett Johansson didn't look better in those nude chiffon gowns. Let alone Beyonce's feathered nightmare.

The Fashion Insiders

Grace Coddington in Prada, Giovanna Bataglia in Dolce&Gabbana, Anna Wintour in Prada, Franca Sozzani with Adrien Brody.

These women know what it was all about. Giovanna Battaglia looked great in her Dolce&Gabbana total look. Franca Sozzani payed tribute to Elsa Schiaparelli wearing a butterflies headdress, but it was Anna Wintour who really mastered it. The Vogue US editor wore a Prada dress inspired in Schiaparelli and Dalí's lobster dress collaboration, refering the two italian designers in the same look. Brilliant.

The Surrealists

Chanel Iman in Tom Ford, Coco Rocha in vintage Givenchy, Elizabeth Banks in Mary Kantrantzou, Diane Von Furstenberg.

Modern art, particularly Dada and Surrealism, provided a significant source of inspiration for Schiaparelli. She worked with a number of contemporary artists to develop her imaginative designs. From these artistic collaborations, Schiaparelli’s most notable designs were born. So here is my top 5 best dressed according to the Gala's theme. Number one for Angela Lindvall's Prada dada look.