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: My Top 15 List of Best Gowns from Miss Universe 2015 Preliminary Competition

SASHES AND TIARAS: My Top 15 List of Best Gowns from Miss Universe 2015 Preliminary Competition

Very Good: Gowns from the Miss Universe 2015 Preliminary Competition, THE AXIS Theater Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas

Thursday night was the ever-important Preliminary Competition of the 2015 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant. This is the event that decides who the 15 Semi-Finalists are--and will be named--on Sunday night's Finals of the 64th Annual Miss Universe. During the Preliminaries, the 80 contestants from all over the world competed in both Swimsuit and Evening Gown. This post is all about the latter, since that's what I'm interested in, of course. So...without further ado, here are MY Top 15 of Best Gowns--I only judged on my Favorite Evening Gowns--from the Miss Universe 2015 Preliminary Competition. See if your fave made my list:

No. 1 Miss Thailand Aniporn Chalermburanawong: This was my favorite gown of the night. Aniporn looked striking and like a Miss Universe in this white satin gown featuring silver sequined torso detail and back white satin cape/fall. Her styling was also superb: her slicked-back hairstyle was modern and model fab. The lack of accessories were also directional and fresh. She was a clean, modern, Fashion Goddess.

Score: 9.9

No. 2: Miss Brazil Marthina Brandt: Marthina looked every bit a Supermodel on a red carpet in this silver-and-gold sequined gown. The gown had sequins over a nude tulle illusion base. It also had shoulder draped crystals. This photo does not do the gown justice; it looked incredible. And so did she.

Score: 9.94

No. 3: Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez: Boy, this young lady is on a path to getting that Miss Universe crown. I'm only saying because of this fabulous, perfect gown. From head to toe, she screams "Give me the darn crown because...seriously...LOOK AT ME!". This gown featured crystal sequins over a beige/creme base. The strapless dress fit her perfectly and was length-perfect as well (no heels in sight!). Many people on the internet are commenting about her resemblance to Sofia Vergara. Maybe that should be a sign: that's a really good thing--she looks like a top Hollywood actress/International Star. And don't you think that's what the goal is of finding the next Miss Universe? So far, if she does not mess up on the interview on the Final Night (if she is picked as a Semi-Finalist/Finalist), she is very close to getting the crown.

Score: 9.94

No. 3 Miss Poland Weronika Szmajdzinkska: I loved this gown in the Miss Universe 2015 Evening Gown Portraits and I still love it now. Copper/gold sequined fab. And...I LOVE that she DID NOT wear those TACKY Stripper Platform Pumps. She gets a BONUS for that. Classy. With a capital "C".

Score: 9.90

No. 4 Miss Panama Gladys Brandao Amaya: There were A LOT (as you can see from the gals here!) of contestants who wore these nude/illusion tulle base-under-sequin applique gowns. So, if was a bit difficult to discern the "Oh Dear!" form the "Muy Bien!:. And Miss Panama was in my Top list. I liked the silver sequin scroll-like detail and all her appropriate areas were covered. I also give her points for great hair and lack of Too-Mucheey accessorizing.

Score: 9.80

No. 5 Miss Paraguay Myriam Arevalos: Myriam wore one of my favorite gown for the Miss Universe 2015 Evening Gown Portraits on the MissUniverse.com website. I was surprised she even changed. But this was a nice change. This red gown featured an interesting applique detail over the nude illusion base. It also had a side front slit (it was a little too Hoochie-high) and an over skirt in matching red chiffon. The one shoulder gown was impacting and made quite an entrance. Her clean hairstyle and not too Pageant Betty makeup were also just right. I wished she would have worn sexy red strappy heels (no platform!) but even with that, I still give her a high score.

Score: 9.70

No. 6 Miss Vietnam Pham Hu'o'ng: I loved Pham's white "Swan" inspired mermaid silhouette gown. This style and design was very original and Couture-like in it's detail, creation and inspiration. This was something one would see at an Alexander McQueen Paris Fashion Week runway show or a Marchesa NY Fashion Show presentation. Design Kudos to whoever designed this; it is a Miss Universe Evening Gown showstopper and afterward, should be in a Museum Gallery! I just wished her hair and makeup looked a tad more "runway diva" as opposed to "Pageant Contestant".

Score: 9.50

No. 7 Miss Tanzania Lorraine Marriot: Lorraine was the best of the contestants hailing from the continent of Africa. I liked this gold sequined gown that she wore. It was modern, clean-lined and fit her perfectly.

Score: 9.30

No. 8 Miss Indonesia Anindya Putri: Anindya wore this nude stretch tulle gown with ivory and gunmetal/silver applique. For all these types of gowns, I liked the simplicity of the design and lack of too-much sequin applique. Her bun and makeup looked just right for this look. Overall, I give her a nice high Gown Score.

Score: 9. 20 

No. 9 Miss Chile Maria Belen Jerez: I will include Miss Universe Chile here and her gown because it was very nice, it fit well and she looked great, overall. The gown she wore featured silver sequins embellishment over a silver base--at the skirt section--while at the top area, the sequins were over nude illusion. Her hair was just right, as well as earrings. And once again, kudos for proper gown length and no tacky platform heels showing. Gracias.

Score: 9.00

No. 10 Miss USA Olivia Jordan: Olivia loves a gown. Especially a Ball Gown. The one she wore when she worn Miss USA was a bit of a controversy (I did not like it!). But never mind us or those pesky internet folks; she still went ahead for the Miss Universe Preliminaries and wore...a...ball...gown. And this was a good one! Much better than the Miss USA choice. At least, here, she didn't look like a Disney Princess but closer to a Hollywood Red Carpet actress. Thank You. This was much improved. It was dramatic, impacting and fit well. If there was any critique, I wished it was strapless and didn't have those teeny tiny sequined straps; those looked like an afterthought...an afterthought bought at the Las Vegas Jo-Ann's Fabric Store.

Score: 8.90

No. 12 Miss Georgia Janet Kerdikoshvili: Janet wore a royal blue/violet gown which featured a sequined applique over nude illusion column dress with an attached satin overskirt. It was A LOT of gown but it worked and it served the purpose of being "Miss Universe" Evening Gown impacting--at least in my eyes. But I have to point out a negative: those darn shoes. Those are a big NO!

Score: 8.80

No. 13 Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach: There was some drama regarding Pia and her gown. Supposedly, her original one didn't fit right so a Beverly Hills-based Filipino designer was contacted, while he was in Aspen skiing on vacation (must be nice!).  He then had his staff send her some gowns. And this was one of them. I liked this red sequin applique and satin gown but I have to admit, it was not modern or chic or very directional. It was a beautiful gown that we could have seen at a Miss Universe pageant in 2005. Nevertheless...Pia WORKED IT overtime! And for that, she is in my Top 15 Best Gowns List.

Score: 8.80

No. 14 Miss Australia Monika Radulovic: Monika wore this gold sequined number for the Miss Universe 2015 Preliminaries. It was a showstopper for sure. I would have give this a much higher score...if it wasn't for the fact that the center front slit/opening was WAAAAY too close to her BIZZZNESSSS! It was 60% Glam Fab and 40% Hoochie Tacky.

Score: 8.79



Finally, in my Top 15 Evening Gown Miss Universe 2015 Preliminary Competition List...

No. 15 Miss India Urvashi Rautela: I liked the design of this silver and gold gown enough to put it in my Top 15; it looked expensive, and fit very nicely. But, I have to say that while I could see this on a model at a Versace Atelier runway show and I would scream "Go On Girl!", I could not do this with Urvashi; Urvashi's styling looks a bit dated, and "Madame". Those over-sized earrings,  hair and too-much makeup remind me of a Miss Universe winner who won many years ago and is trying to come back to look fab. I would suggest, get rid of the Pageant Betty styling and bring on 2015 Model Fab. ASAP! But even with that, this gown still makes my Top 15 Faves:

Score: 8.75



**UP NEXT: The "Could Have Been Better" and "OH Dear!" of Miss Universe 2015 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition