Met Ball 2013 Red Carpet Recap

Last night’s Met Ball was bound to be interesting regardless of the theme, but this year’s Punk theme from chaos to couture made things extra exciting. Of course, we wondered how this motif would be carried out, and a disappointingly small number of stars, models and designers actually dressed remotely punk (sorry, extra eyeliner doesn’t cut it). However there are always stand outs- both good and bad. And because we’re red carpet obsessed we also have our highlights of those who merely showed up dressed for a ball, eschewing punk for classic glam (looking at you Wintour).

Best in Theme:

When Sienna Miller showed up in a motorcycle jackets covered in studs we thought finally! She was the first person we glimpsed in theme and she didn’t disappoint in head to toe Burberry. Then Anne Hathaway blew our mind in archival Valentino and a blonde (!) pompadour. Coco Rocha, meanwhile, seized the only opportunity she’ll ever have to wear skin tight leopard spots covered in gold dipped insects, courtesy of Fausto Puglisi. Not to be outdone, Sarah Jessica Parker was totally game for the theme in a great way, wearing a Giles Deacon insane cutaway ballgown and thigh high tartan.velvet. Louis Vuitton boots. Oh, and a marvelously nuts Phillip Treacey gold and Mohawk feathered headpiece. Perfection. We were pleasantly surprised by an edgy Taylor Swift, who looked beautiful in her cutout J. Mendel column gown and pink hair streaks. Hailee Steinfeld, who always nails her red carpet looks, appears darling at first in a cream and gold tea length gown. But upon closer inspection the Donna Karan Atelier number was white leather studded with gold safety pin starbursts! One of our favorite looks all night. Anja Rubik also nailed the theme in a slightly less formal red leather mini by Anthony Vaccarello and some punk styled hair. Finally, co-chair of this year’s ball and perma-punk Rooney Mara wowed in Riccardo Tischi for Givenchy.

Best of the Red:

We fully expected to see about 100% more red gowns last night (although Anna confirmed last night that the color of punk is pink – way to go Julie Macklowe!) Nonetheless, the crimson tide arrived on the red carpet in stunning form thanks to Amber Heard in her lacey-gothish Pucci gown. Emilia Clarke rocked a more classic satin Ralph Lauren sweetheart neckline on her gown, but a killer statement cross earring created for her by Fred Leighton won us over. Finally, the lady in red of the night award goes to the always stunning Kate Beckinsale, whose fun and irreverent hemline was definitely punk – but not as much as her amazing Lorraine Schwartz earrings and ring.

Best Blondes

Anne’s amazing amazing new hair aside, Kirsten Dunst & Louis Vuitton’s interpretations work for us. As do Ivanka Trump’s fun green hair streak amidst all that platinum and Juan Carlos Obando gown. But the blonde who did punk best last night was undoubtedly Gwen Stefani, who nailed the look in her Maison Martin Margiela gown. Hubby Gavin Rossdale’s plaid suit was the perfect match.

Snooze:

We get it. Punk is a ridiculous theme for a couture fashion event. We wholeheartedly believe that Anna just wanted to mess with all of this year’s invitees. But there were ways to make it work – look to Nina Dobrev, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Cara Delevigne for example. But La La Anthony dressed like it was any old ball in her red silk gown. Kate Upton’s tragic DVF sack looked like a maxi dress from Marshall’s, and the Fug Girls said it best about Cameron Diaz: “It looks more like she is attending an exhibition celebrating the caped dress Gwynnie wore to the Oscars in 2013.”

Just…No.

Unfortunately there were quite a few major don’t moments last night. We won’t touch the Olsen twins because that’s pretty much what they always look like. And Gwyneth was more boring than offensive. We’ll never ever type that Beyonce looked anything less than fabulous but…there’s a reason why she wasn’t on any of the lists above. Unfortunately Kim Kardashian made her Met debut also in built in gloves, and the effect was even worse. We don’t even hate the all over matching pattern, we get that that’s a thing. And the grommets/ exposed stitching on her Givenchy were a subtle punk nod, but that whole ensemble was just a big old no. Likewise for Kristen Stewart, who just looked terrible in a burgundy lace onesie by Stella McCartney (just not flattering). Our final NO is to Katy Perry, who we were so excited to see. Unfortunately her “Joan of Arc” outfit just fell short of anything exciting or punk. Better luck next year ladies.