NYC's Metropolitan Museum of Art recently held their annual Costume Institute Gala, and the celebrity contingent was out in full force, in fashions ranging from fabulous to unfortunate. Who looked amazing and who fell flat? Read on...
Kate Moss dazzled in a beautifully cut, dove gray gown gathered at the waist with a metallic belt. Her look was elegant and understated, accented with just a few small pieces of jewelry (the bracelet, the drop earrings) and a loose updo. Has she ever looked better?
Jennifer Lopez also attained a sort of fashion career apex with this lovely, one-shouldered blue number. It's sexy without being obvious (a line she's frequently crossed in the past!) and the color is unique and flattering. I also adore the detailing at the top of the dress, and the asymmetrical collar. For once, the focus of her outfit is not her most famous "asset," and I think it really pays off.
Christina Ricci continues her streak of great outfits with this vampy, slinky pink and red dress. Like the gowns worn above by Kate and J.Lo, Christina's pick emphasizes two very attractive yet underrated areas of a woman's body: Waist and collarbone. The tight-then-flared "mermaid" type hem is another fantastic, fashion-forward accent. She looks gorgeous.
Katie Holmes, in a get-up so noteworthy as to warrant 3 different pictures in this post, reminds us again of how far she's come since her jeans-and-tank-top days on Dawson's Creek. From the tomato red of the dress to the lack of sparkle in her jewelry (it's difficult to tell, but that necklace looks like it may be made of wood - very earthy, very tribal) to the electric blue heels, every aspect of this outfit surprises. Yet, incredibly, it all works! I particularly like that bob, which frames her face so precisely, and the unexpected makeup - what is that red substance near her eyes that matches her dress exactly? Eyeshadow? Blush? I don't know, and yet I'm loving the effect. For an event like this, which practically begs guests to take chances, it's perfect.
Of course, not everyone looked quite so perfect. Take, for instance, Amanda Peet, looking like she picked up her loud floral print dress at the mall. The decorative headpiece (headband? tiara? who knows?) doesn't help matters; nor does the dark lipstick. It's all very 1995, no? I'm also not a fan of the normally stunning Jennifer Connelly here: the pointy shoes, the sharp, geometric lines of her
dress, the lack of hair and makeup - it all combines to create a look that's just far too severe and unflattering. Mischa Barton looks fantastic - from the neck up. But
that dress! And Ashley Olsen, would it kill you to wear a little makeup to a black-tie event?!
Finally, two couples to discuss: First up, White Stripe/Raconteur Jack White and his model wife, Karen Elson. Now, let me just say that I love Jack White - he's an incredible songwriter and musician - and Karen Elson has always struck me as one of the most interesting models just in terms of her look. But what is going on here?! The shade and sheen of Karen's satin dress might not be so bad on its own, but combined with Jack's extreme sideburns and that strange tux with tails, the whole effect is bizarre.
Stranger still?
Posh and Becks. David Beckham's tux is pretty standard formal wear, but I can't figure out what's going on with his wife here. The see-through white lace gown looks like some sort of pornographic wedding dress, and her face looks uncomfortably tight. Plastic surgery? Byproduct of her hairdo? Just mugging weirdly for the camera? In any case, these two certainly missed the mark in my book!
