WHO WORE WHAT?.....Met Gala 2017 BEST DRESSED!

WHO WORE WHAT?.....Met Gala 2017 BEST DRESSED!

La Queen Katy: Katy Perry arrives at the Met Gala 2017 in Maison Margiela Couture Spring/Summer 2017

Tonight was the Met Gala. In case you have been living under a (Fashion) rock for a while, this is THE FASHION Prom, or the Oscars of the East Coast. The Met Gala--formally called the Costume Institute Gala and also known as the Met Ball--is an annual fundraising gala to raise funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute and signals the opening of a new exhibition...

Metropolitan Museum of Art: "Art of In-Between" Exhibition featuring the work of Rei Kawakubo and Commes des Garcons

This year's exhibition pays homage to the work of Rei Kawakubo and Commes des Garcons with "Art of In-Between" (Photo above), opening May 4th and running through September 4th. Rei Kawakubo is known for her avant-garde and ability to challenge the traditional notions of good taste, what's "fashionable" and on-trend. Kawakubo has built an empire on making people think about fashion on a different level--or more specifically in dualisms: Clothes/Not Clothes, Male/Female, Fashion/Anti-Fashion, and so on. Now, before I discuss my Best Dressed/Favorite of the night and in the event that you are still not aware of what Comme des Garcons' design philosophy is, here is an amuse-bouche:

Rei Kawakubo Comme des Garcons 

So...with that out of the way, there was a certain expectation on my part, at least, to see some FABULOUS avant-grade, or at the very least, slight nods to this or Comme des Garcons and this dualism theme of hers and the brand. And this is also how I chose my Best Dressed. Sorry but not sorry to all the Selena Gomez lovers out there but this pretty creme-colored dress designed by Coach (they do gowns now?) missed the mark:

NOT MY BEST DRESSED: Selena Gomez in Coach at the Met Gala 2017

Completely. It was nice and perfect for a black-tie upscale wedding in NYC, but the Met Gala? Nope. Sorry. I get that she's young (well, 24 ain't that young!) but yeah, I get NADA, Nothing, Zip...of a even the slightest of nods to Kawakubo or Comme des Garcons or anything UBER Haute Fashion. I want a little bit of DRAMA huney! And BTW: What is with those shoes???



OK, now that I got that off my chest...time to move on to my Best Dressed Top 15:

Katy Perry in Maison Margiela Couture Spring/Summer 2017: Now THIS is how you pay homage to Rei Kawakubo and Commes des Garcons. She may not have been wearing the genius' designs but she was doing her part by attending in another Fashion Bad Girl--I mean boy--John Galliano and his design for Maison Margiela Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2017 collection.

Maison Margiela Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2017 by John Galliano

I loved this red tulle, sequined and crinoline concoction. It featured one of Kawakubo's favorite colors: scarlet red. And played on the notion of Fashion/Not Fashion, Soft/Hard, Romantic/Fierce, avant-garde, as well as a "Blood Bride" perhaps. I love when fashion makes one think, stop, pause, cause conversation, and Comme des Garcons always does and so does this. Thank you Katy: You nailed it huney!

Zendaya in Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2015: Zendaya showed up to the Met Gala 2017 to slay it. And she did. I loved this over-the-top printed silk SUPER ballgown. The gown was from Dolce & Gabban Alta Moda Fall/Winter 2015 collection. It's not "vintage" but it wasn't recent and yes, if one were to order this, it would set you back $100,000+...

I loved the romantic edge with the extreme fabulousity that Rei Kawakubo would probably admire. Just for the hair alone, I bow to her (and her stylists!) huney!

Rihanna in Comme des Garcons Fall/Winter 2016--Three Words: Go On Rihanna! I know that this is a bit cray-cray but HELLO! Newsflash: It's an homage to Comme des Gracons kids! Educate yourselves! Miss Rihanna wore this volant-filled look straight from the runways and the Comme des Garcons Fall/Winter 2016 collection shown a year ago. Naturally, she had to add her own twist and style it with those Diva leg-strapped heels. Thank you Rihanna for giving me SOMETHING and for wearing Comme des Garcons to a Comme des Garcons Met Gala! Not sure how she sat down to eat...or just sat down period but hey, sometimes one must suffer for fashion.

Lily Collins in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2016: I loved this look on Lily Collins. She wore a strapless ballgown from Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2016. The gown is probably a $100,000 design exquisitely hand-made of tulle, duchesse silk satin and hand applied crystals. It's sweet and perfect for a Billionaire Heiress Sweet Sixteen bash but Lily made it fresh, more modern with that cropped black wig, honoring Rei Kawakubo's iconic hairstyle. Take a lesson Selena Gomez on how to make pretty just a little off-putting and more Comme des Garcon-ish.

 Solange Knowles in Thom Browne Fall/Winter 2017: I know that many people out there will think "Oh No Nick!" but YASSSSSSSSS!!!! I thank Solange for GIVING ME! Thank goodness this wasn't a basic creme colored evening dress. That's not what the Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons Met Gala 2017 is about darlings! Solange got it! Loved this black puffy jacket with train ensemble. In case you didn't read a recent WWD Trend Alert article HERE, it's all about the Puffy Jacket huney! And those shoes were EVERYTHING!!!

Lily Aldridge in Ralph Lauren Custom: Model Lily gave her best avant-garde Fashion Diva look at the Met Gala 2017 with this white silk jersey gown with skin-revealing peek-a-boos from---of all brands--Ralph Lauren! Yes, kids, RAPLH LAUREN! This has NOTHING to do with Ralph Lauren but I am willing to give it a pass only because she looked AMAZING! That's why I put her in my Best Dressed Top 15. But seriously, she could have just said this was by "John Smith of Pocoima" and I would have believed that more than RALPH LAUREN! #JustSaying

Tracee Ellis Ross in Comme des Garcons: I LOVED this bold blue coat on Tracee Ellis Ross! It was dramatic, fashionable and OMG: It was from Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons! I admired the simple cocooning-like effect and what a fabulous statement it made. Miss Tracee's momma done taught her right in terms of simple drama and CHIC!

Lily-Rose Depp in Chanel: I absolutely loved this bubblegum pink strapless ballgown on Lily-Rose Depp. The design is from Chanel. The drop-waist design seems simple and classic and yet, there is the added detail of the sequined roses (for Lily-Rose perhaps?) and raw hem. Her makeup (those fab cat-eyes!) and hair were GORGEOUS! One could argue and say "well, what does bubblegum pink and a pretty ballgown have to do with Comme des Garcons?". Not much, but...she certainly created a striking image and I'm sure Rei would approve of that!

Rose Byrne in Ralph Lauren Custom: Once again, I am TOTALLY at a loss at what this plunging neckline tulle ballgown has to do with Ralph Lauren. But, I still give Rose and the fashion house of Ralph Lauren credit for this look. She looked beautiful and she did wear the color of the night: Comme des Garcons red. It was definitely a statement...and a good one!

Zoe Kravitz in Oscar de la Renta: Zoe Kravitz wore this Millenial Pink gown from Monse designers Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia. The duchesse silk satin gown featured an overcape and bust accented with black ruffled embellishments. She looked regal and supremely chic. While this might have been a better outfit for a Balenciaga Gala Tribute, I still put her in my Top 15 Best Dressed just because she gave me something! And something dramatic and quite fabulous.

Blake Lively in Atelier Versace: Blake Lively gave everyone a serving of gold-and-feathered couture in this golden and blue feather gown from Atelier Versace. The hand-made $100,000+ costing gown (Blake got it for free) looked amazing on her and made her a Stand-out at the Met Gala 2017 red carpet.

Elle Fanning in in Miu Miu: Elle Fanning looked ethereal, gorgeous and the vision of a Romance Princess in this strapless baby blue silk chiffon gathered Empire-cut gown from Miu Miu. Now, I don't know what this design and style has to do with the "Prada Junior" line of Miu Miu but once again, I guess I have to suspend fashion belief. Irregardless of this, I still included Fanning in my Top 15 Best Dressed. The gown was GORGEOUS, dramatic and she looked incredible. Would Rei Kawakubo approve of such prettiness and Romanticism? Probably not. But at least, she made a Gown Statement!

Aymeline Valade in Marni: French model Aymeline Valade looked INCREDIBLE in this blue satin and gold sequined suit from the Italian fashion house of Marni and its incoming designer Francesco Risso. This suit was GOOOOOORGEOUS! If you're going to wear a suit to the Met Gala, this is it!

Amy Fine Collins in Thom Browne: Vanity Fair writer Amy Fine Collins looked so super chic, I couldn't miss placing her in my Top 15 Best Dressed of the 2017 Met Gala. I loved this "Victor/Victoria" tuxedo-meets-sequined gown from Thom Browne; it blended that dualism context of Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons to a "T"! 

Finally...

Dakota Johnson in Gucci Custom: Dakota Johnson wore this black silk gown with ruffed detail from Gucci/Alessandro Michele. Some say this was a bit "Gothic" but I actually think it was quite Romantic and beautiful but yet still a but directional to possibly satisfy La Kawakubo! 

So there you have it: My Top 15 Best Dressed of the 2017 Met Gala! Who were YOUR favorites??

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Worst of 2015: The Most "Oh Dear!/Ayyy Mija!" Beauty Pageant Gowns of 2015 List!

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Worst of 2015: The Most "Oh Dear!/Ayyy Mija!" Beauty Pageant Gowns of 2015 List!

Oh No! Pageant Gowns of 2015--(Clockwise, L to R) Miss Oklahoma USA (and eventual Miss USA) at Miss USA 2015; Miss Croatia at Miss World 2015 Top Model/World Dress Designer Competition (center); Miss Sucre at Miss Venezuela 2015; Miss Croatia at Miss Universe 2014-2015 Evening Gown Website Portraits; Miss Guatemala at Miss Universe 2015 (far lower left)

In my previous post HERE, I discussed my Best of 2015 Pageant Gowns so now, it's time for my Worst of 2015 List. These gowns were a combination of Too Mucheey, UBER Pageant Betty, Too Hoochie (Slit-a-licious), or just a Gown Mess. So, let's get to the "Uh No!" Beauty Pageant Gowns...



Let's begin with Miss USA 2015:

Miss Oklahoma USA (and Miss USA 2015) Olivia Jordan--Yes, she won Miss USA 2015 and was the 2nd Runner-up at Miss Universe (good for her!) but...if
I was a judge at the Miss USA (and I guess there are reasons why I wasn't) I would have scored her very, very low on this gown. On a
good note: I liked the bubblegum pink color. But beyond that: NOT SO
MUCHEEY. This is a Quinceañera Hot Mess. It also reminds me of a "Gone With Wind" Costume...for Barbie!
Somehow the judges liked it but I was definitely NOT a fan. This is a
crinoline ball gown mess. But, obviously, that did not matter; she still won the pageant. Sometimes what gown these girls wear matters and...sometimes it does not. 





Rashontae Wawrzyniak Miss Michigan USA: GURL! That is A LOT of
Horsehair trimmed bell sleeve! I get the DRAMA of this dress but...it's
two minutes from a Fashion Students' Sophomore Runway Show creation--and
looking "Elvira Pageant". Definitely one of the Worst of 2015. Poor gown choice especially since she is so beautiful. It's one thing if the contestant ain't that pretty and she makes a bad gown decision, it's a whole other thing, when you are gorgeous and you have questionable taste. 



Miss Venezuela 2015--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Miss Nueva Esparta Genesis Saavedra: One of the most "Oh Dear!" gown offenders this year at the Miss Venezuela 2015 Pageant was this gown by Douglas Tapia.
It was definitely TOO MUCHEEY. Now, don't get me wrong, I appreciate all the work and scroll-like cascades,
but when you combine that with the sequins, and those OVER-THE-TOP
earrings, the entire look is an "90's Disney Mermaid Princess Gone Wrong". It's like Disney and Sea World had a sordid affair in the 90's and the off spring ended up in a South American Beauty Pageant.

But there was worse...





Miss Sucre Maydeliana Diaz: Oh "Big Bird"! Talk about over
designed. This is a prime example of waaaaayyyyyy TOO MUCH: The sequins,
the applique, the feathers. Designer Hugo Espina must have been
on a "Let's put everything and the kitchen sink" kick when he came up
with this. While the audience thought it was a big hit, this would have
made very "Oh No!" headline in the fashion news. This had to be the Worst Gown of the Miss Venezuela 2015 Beauty Pageant--and therefore one of the "Uh Oh!" of my 2015 List. And I still cannot believe that someone felt it was really necessary for her to have those over-the-top earrings, in addition to this big ol' mess of a dress. Ridiculous. Fire the stylist. Ahora.



Miss World 2015------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Bosnia and Herzegovina Marijana Marcovic: Believe it or not, this cha-cha ruffled and pointed bustier mess was one of the Top 10 Finalists of the Miss World 2015
"Best World Fashion Designer Dress".  Not kidding, because I wish I was (what are those judges drinking??). This black and silver
trimmed black and gold trimmed hi-lo design was created by Carmen Line according to the Miss
World website. It is tacky and very "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding". The
pointed strapless neckline is not just obnoxious but would be ripped to
shreds by any red carpet correspondent if this was ever worn to a major event. Speaking of pointed...

Miss Croatia Maja Spahija: Where do I begin with the design cray-cray.
Maybe the pointed front bustier/torso "rabbit ears" might be a good
start. I can only imagine this design in front of the "Project Runway"
judges and we know Nina Garcia, Zac Posen and Heidi Klum would have a
FIELD DAY! And if the kooky pointed front wasn't enough, look closely,
there's a candy colored tulled underskirt. Cray-cray for sure. On a good
note, I do appreciate all the pattern and technical work that probably
went into creating all those torso paneled sections.





Miss Aruba Nicole Van Tellingen: Will someone please tell Nicole--and
whoever designed this--that it's not 1994 but 2015. The gold lace mini
dress with the acid orange/red tulle overskirt reminds me of a cheap
knock-off of a late 80's/early 90's Christian Lacroix creation. Maybe
she was trying to be "Designer Retro"...who knows.

Miss Netherlands Margot Hanekamp: On a good note--Margot looks like
she would be fun at a cocktail party! On a not-so-good note--this dress
is a big ol' tacky mess. The gold lace, the "Dynasty"-like shoulder, the
too short front, her hair style, THAT one TOO-BIG earring...Who told
her this was a stylish look? Poor thang.





Miss British Virgin Islands Sasha Wintz: Looking at this gown hurts my
eyes. There's so much polyester here in the cheap satin and cheap lace
that I am afraid if someone with a lighter gets too close to her, she
might catch on fire! On the design front, the horizontal ruching and
lace-and-diamante top, the diamante trim on the dress...PLUS...the
mermaid shape...this is just beyond tacky-licious.

Miss Germany Albijona Muharremaj: When I look at this dress, all I can
think of is an episode from "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding". There are so
many things wrong with this: the cheap $2.99 a yard red stretch sequin
fabric, the nude illusion with red sequin detail at the torso and then
the poly chiffon back panels. She looks like the hostess in a very
off-the-strip Vegas strip club.

Miss Cyprus Rafaela Charalampous: Oh Rafaela. What were you (and your
designer) thinking? OK, let's get this out of the way: it's a black
netting dress black hot shorts underneath. And this is considered stylish?
Where? I don't even think the tackiest of the Kardashian sisters would
have worn this, even before they were multi gazillionaires. This has to be one of the worst of 2015 Beauty Pageant Gowns. Tacky as tacky can be.

Miss Sweden Natalia Fogelund: Just when you thought you'd seen a lot
of Cray-Cray, in walked Miss World Sweden. Just take a look at this torn
tulle black and white mess. It's like she went through a hurricane or
tornado...or maybe a paper shredder. Wow. And for that, she gets my inclusion here on my Worst Pageant Gown of 2015 List.



Miss Universe 2014 (which occurred in January of this year)---------------------------------------------

Miss Croatia Ivana Misura: There's no way around it, there is WAAAY
too much sheer. And the applique placements on the sisters and her
you-know-what aren't helping. I think the red sequin applique is
actually quite nice, I just wish that I could get some more of it and
cover Ivana up! She was competing for Miss Universe NOT Miss Hoochie!

Miss India Noyonita Lodh: Petite Noyonita (her stats said she's 5' 6"
but you know that means she's more like 5' 5" if not shorter)...anyhow,
Miss Universe India looks like a cheap stripper in this very sheer dress
with silver paillettes. It's not cute or tasteful and then there's
those too clunky nude platform heels! There's nothing that says I AM TOO
SHORT more than showing these kind of shoes. The whole look screams "Ayyyy Mija!".

Miss Guyana Niketa Barker: Not a fan of the "pick-up" peplum and
mermaid bottom section; it screams Prom-and-Pageant...and tacky. Plain and simple: NO PICK-UP POUFS, PLEASE!!!

Miss Lithuania Patricija Belousova: This dress looks as if her grandma--or first year fashion school
student--made it. Here's some advice to her: watch past Miss Universe
Pageants and what the Winner wore. Try and copy it. She looks like she's going to a Sweet Sixteen party in some remote village of her country.

Miss Mauritius Pallavi Gungaram: How could the very pretty Pallavi not
know this is a mess??!! While I like the deep fuchsia color and I can
(almost) like the skirt section--sans the big ol' sequined and applique
"bow"--the entire thing is a big ol' mess. I can almost hear the
photographers thinking "GURL! This gown is a DEFINITE No...but go ahead,
we'll take the photo nonetheless!".

Miss Argentina Valentina Ferrer: Oh Valentina! She is so sexy and
pretty (and her body WITHOUT this gown is SLAMMIN'!) but...this dress is tacky. This bugglegum pink velvet concoction just screams "AVN
Awards"; the scooped front slit/opening, the velvet, the fit, oh
and then the silver crystal trim. No Mija!

Miss Aruba Digene Zimmerman: Digene walked onstage during the Miss Universe 2014 Preliminaries and it was a "Oh No
She Didn't!". First, we saw that she was wearing a lilac printed dress
of sorts with a sequined bodice but then, she did this:

And I was like "OOOOOOHHHH!" I have to say that I give her
"At-a-Girl" points for even going there (and I am sure lots of Aruba
drag queens crowned her their next IDOL!), however...I just can't
believe she wore a sequined swimsuit with an attached printed chiffon
skirt! It was A) nervy but on a style level, a little Tacky-Licious. And
B) yes, therefore, she is in my "Uh OH!" List of 2015.

Miss British Virgin Islands Jaynene Jno Lewis: File under "Bless Your
Heart". I get that probably Jaynene and the Miss British Virgin Islands
Organization may not have the gown budget of the Miss USA, Miss Russia (Elie Saab Haute Couture!!), or Miss Ukraine (Zuhair Murad Haute Couture!!)
but this canary yellow poly satin mermaid silhouette gown is tacky-licious. The bust fit is bad and I cannot get past the ripply side
seams. I have to say, when you are competing on this level--at the Miss
Universe--there is NO EXCUSE; either spend the money or bow out
darling.

Miss Canada Chanel Beckenlehner: Chanel wore this bubblegum pink colored
strapless gown that yes, featured a peacock feathered train. Oh and if
that wasn't enough, it had a a slit/opening and naturally, that wasn't
enough so...she styled it with tacky too-high crystal Stripper Heels. I
don't even know where to begin with this. I feel bad for the birds
whose feathers were plucked for this. This gown would have been actually kind of nice if it was just a flared column all in the pink crepe satin
without the opening and definitely without the "National Costume"-like
feathered detail. It's almost garish bad.



Miss Universe 2015-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss British Virgin Islands Adorya Baly: Oh why is Miss British Virgin Islands almost always on my "Uh Oh!" List. I feel bad. Well, with that said, let me begin on a good
note--I love the canary yellow color. And I do like the flower-like
sequin appliques. Where it all goes a bit tacky is the sheer netting,
the center front plunging neckline showing her too-mucheey cleavage.

Miss Ghana Hilda Frimpong: Oh Hilda, it looks like you are
leaving the pageant world and walking straight on to the set of the next
Real Housewife of (fill in the blank). I usually discuss the "Slit
Happy" Pageant Gals but seriously, Miss Universe Ghana and this dress
took the Slit thang to another level; there are two slits and depending
on how she walks, you could probably almost see her you-know-what. There's
nothing cute about this. It's very "Oh Dear!"

Miss Japan Ariana Miyamoto: Miss Japan was one of the Semi-Finalists at this year's Miss Universe pageant. Until the judges saw this gown...It was Star Trek-Meets-Trashy AVN Awards. I
just don't know why such a pretty girl would do this to herself; or
make such a lack of taste level judgement. I just do not get it, the
real point of the Evening Gown Competition--besides having the judge see
their "poise" and "elegance", it is also to see if they have a level of
taste. After all, if you are the new Miss Universe, you'll be walking
many Red Carpets, and you don't want to end up on the WORST List. Here,
with this gold high side-slit pleather concoction with black and white
printed chiffon back details, Miss Universe Japan failed.

Miss Bulgaria Radostina Todorova: As they say in the South:
"Bless Her Heart", which really translates to "GURL, you are a Mess!".
This is sweet and cute, if she was 18 and it was a New Year's Eve Dance
in Missouri. But it ain't, it's THE MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT! The dress
looks off-the-rack, cheap, it's too short...well, I'll just stop there.
I, at least, give her points for wearing strappy heels and not those
clunky platform heels.

Miss Venezuela Mariana Jimenez: This white gown worn by Miss Venezuela for the Miss Universe 2015 Finals was a big disappointment. I expected more--or at least something more sophisticated, slightly more sexy and certainly more "Red Carpet Couture"-worthy. This Raenrra-designed dress was none of that. She looks like a woman twice her age, at the wedding of her daughter! It wasn't Too-Mucheey and it certainly wasn't "Oh Dear!", it was just nothing extraordinary or outstanding and in fact, it was dated. And I haven't even begum discussing those awful sheer sleeves and torso/neckline...Ayyy Mija! I still can't understand why she didn't wear any of those other gowns from her year's Miss Venezuela pageant!

Miss Serbia Dasa Radosavljevic: This gold sequin dress is fine if
you are a background dancer at a Cruise Ship's Dinner Theater show, but
it looks cheap and tacky for Miss Universe. I could find this fabric
for $2.99/yard in Downtown LA. That's not a good thing.

Miss Hungary Nikoletta Nagy: I love canary yellow (as I have said previously in this blog) but the
combination of the bright cheap poly satin with the gold lace and then gold
sequins and the (yeah, there's more!), crystal straps in the front
torso...it's all a bit cheap-looking and Tacky-licious. It's also very
Quincieniera "Ayyy Mija!".



But the Award for Worst Gowns of 2015 at Miss Universe is...

Miss Guatemala Jeimmy Aburto: Miss Guatemala Universe wore two gowns--not just one--that were worthy of being on my Worst of 2015 List. The one on the left is what she wore for the Preliminaries. If
the rather garish fuchsia-pink sequins weren't enough, somehow the
designer decided that it needed more as in clown-like bias hemmed
ruffles at the bottom plus nude netting and then let's just do silver
diamantes to fill in the space....This would be fun if it was a Gay Pride Float for Drag Queen Mermaids. But it isn't.

And then, the gown on the right is what she wore for the Miss Universe 2015 Evening Gown Website Portraits. Pink stretch lace--and silver
crystals--plus the mermaid "lite" shape...well, they all add up to Pageant Betty Oh Dear! She is very pretty and that pose is indeed, impacting.
But, the gown...oh the gown: it's Too-Mucheey and Tacky. Can we please give the Miss Guatemala Organization some Fashion/gown help??!! Por favor?



So....the honor of Worst Pageant Gowns of 2015 Goes to...

It's a TIE:

Miss Sucre Maideliana Diaz at Miss Venezuela 2015 and her "Big Bird" Monstrosity of a Gown that was Too Muchey, Too  1987 and Too Chonchee...and her Co-winner is... 

Miss Guatemala Jeimmy Aburto at Miss Universe 2015 for this pink sequins and nude illusion clown ruffle trimmed "Pageant Mermaid". 

Let's hope that Beauty Pageant Contestants in 2016 learn from these ladies and do not make similar Gown Mistakes. Or...maybe pray that they do! So, we have something to write about!

Happy New Year!!!