It was the party to end all parties! After Hollywood’s awards season comes the fashion industry’s Met Gala, which pays homage to an iconic designer who has made significant contributions in fashion. For the 2012 Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, two designers were honored, a renegade from the past and a trail blazer from now.
Elsa Schiaparelli, a rival of Coco Chanel and Muiccia Prada, two Italian fashion power houses, are the subject of the latest exhibit opening to the public starting May 10th. To mark the occasion, VOGUE, in conjunction with the museum threw a lavish fete as always, for fashion insiders, celebrities, and socialites to preview the exhibition.
So who was wearing what and who appeared with whom on the red carpet? Here’s is our breakdown.
Above, the Met Ball co-chair Carey Mulligan (above middle) wore a dazzling cocktail frock with hundreds of pailettes by Prada. To her left is Bianca Brandolini D’Adda in Dolce & Gabbana and to her right, Jessica Alba in Michael Kors.
Solange Knowles in a yellow peplum Rachel Roy gown | Emma Roberts in Christian Louboutin heels, and Bulgari jewels | January Jones in yellow Versace and Cartier jewels.
Amber Heard in Zac Posen
Emma Stone in Lanvin (made with over 3000 plastic and crystal flowers) | Tory Burch in a lobster dress pays homage to Schiaparelli | Hilary Swank in Michael Kors
Bridesmaids actress Kristen Wig in Stella McCartney | Gossip Girl’s Kristen Bell in Tommy Hilfiger with Jimmy Choo shoes, vintage Van Cleef and Arpels jewels, and a Judith Leiber clutch
The Vampire Diaries’ Nina Dobrev in a custom gown inspired by Donna Karan devoré dress immortalized by Gwyneth Paltrow in the 1998 film “Great Expectations.”
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo actress Rooney Mara in Givenchy | Project Runway’s Heidi Klum in Escada | Singer Beyonce Knowles in lace and feather Givenchy gown
VOGUE magazine’s Anna Wintour in a custom Prada gown inspired by a dress designed by Elsa Schiaparelli and worn by socialite Wallis Simpson.
Model Karolina Kourkova in Rachel Zoe | Smash’s Debra Messing in KaufmanFranco crystal sequin embroidery gown with Fred Leighton jewels and Brian Atwood heels | Jessica Paré in L’Wren Scott | Lana Del Rey in Joseph Altuzarra
The Avengers actress Scarlett Johansson in Dolce&Gabbana dress with Christian Louboutin heels | Camilla Belle in Ralpha Lauren Collection | Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester in Marchesa
Claire Danes in J.Mendel | Amber Heard in Zac Posen | Alicia Keys in Givenchy | Jessica Biel in Prada
Gwyneth Paltrow in Prada
Ivanka Trump in Peter Pilatto
GCB actress Leslie Bibb in Prabal Gurung
Once Upon a Time’s Ginnifer Goodwin in an orange Monique Lhuillier
Sofia Vergara in Marchesa
