Met Costume Institute Gala 2016

The theme for this year's Met Costume Institute Gala celebrated two pivotal movements within the fashion industry at the moment, the combination of fashion and design in the age of technology 'Manus X Machina'. 

This wasn't just futurism through colour, shape and proportion, this was looking more at the finer side of the craft of fashion and seeing how technology has influenced the techniques used by fashion powerhouses, whether it be hand-made or machine-made. Take Chanel's Lesage, a group of the best couture embroiderers who produce the most intricate and beautiful hand-worked details used in the house's haute couture collections; like the golden Guipure lace train of one of the house's most formidable bridal gowns, featured in the exhibition. 

You, my dear readership, are probably still questioning the theme. A theme which has provoked an array of pertinent albeit poignantly desirable set of looks. Think leather, chains, metallic and plenty of extra-terrestrial fabrics, not forgetting the emphasis on obliques. However, which A-lister will come out tops and which will fall to the ground a victim of a digital fashion disaster? 

Firstly, I'd like to dedicate this moment to Beyoncé (aka God), my one true love.
Bey, you have given me a new lease of life with Lemonade and now you've added even more heavenly goodness with this dress too. Here, Queen B looked reckless in her Givenchy dress, naturally. She chose a shrimp pink latex gown with Victorian puffed sleeves and added pearl embellishments. I have no words to describe how sumptuous she looks. However, one thing is for sure, she's one of the best dressed and we all know that! 10/10!

Moving on to Kim and Kanye (Kimye). I am blinded by the sheer amount of metallic I see before me. This is a lot to take in, even for me, lest you worry, we will get to the mess which is Kanye in a minute. I applaud Kim for embracing the theme 110%, although I do feel that this gown looks rather rigid on her petite frame, also I did not like the neck-line she chose either. She's well suited to the plunging or strapless neck-line rather than a simple scoop, it just looks rather unflattering. Her makeup look, on the other hand, certainly makes up for the neck-line. I just adore her bleached eyebrows and wet, slick-back hair. Sheer lusciousness. 9.7/10

Kanye on the other hand, uh oh. Is that double denim, do you mumble with the greatest uproar? Unfortunately, you are correct. He has chosen to wear denim to a black-tie event. Now, I am not sure about you but I consider this to be a social sin, and frankly unforgivable. Also those suede cowboy boots, come on darling, throw those in the skip. Oddly I find myself being conned by his attractive stare due to those icy blue contact lenses, how perplexing. 4.4/10

On the topic of Balmain, we have Kylie Jenner. (Hands down my best dressed of the night, even beating Beyoncé and that's extremely difficult to do!) She wore a custom Balmain gown encrusted in Swarovski crystals and it was, without a doubt, one the most beautiful gowns that Olivier Rousteing has ever produced. The attention to detail is devastatingly ravishing. To me, she mirrored a decadent tassel one would find at the palace of Versailles. 10/10!

As we all know, Madonna is never afraid to wear something risqué out in public. Did she pull it off this time around? NO.
She wore a custom Givenchy ensemble comprising: black lace tights and a body, with straps of black material which wound around her legs and arms resembling kinesiology sport muscle tape. She might be wearing a floor-length skirt, but there is fabric missing over her breasts and derriere, so the look leaves very little to the imagination, as per usual. She actually radiates an air of Courtney Love, how tragic. 5.6/10

Taylor Swift intrigues me profoundly. She seems to be going through her Goth phase aged 26. She embraced the oblique revealing trend in a metal-coated crocodile print dress from Louis Vuitton accompanied by a pair of gladiator sandals, embodying a summer sci-fi warrior. I actually quite like this look yet I think it's innapropriate for the Met Gala. When we think of the Met, we think of black-tie and long gowns. Kudos to her for taking hold of the theme and owning it. 7.9/10

I was slightly underwhelmed by Kendall Jenner's choice of attire for the evening. If we think back to last year when she wore that jade green bejewelled Calvin Klein with that cheeky bit of sideboob, she completely stole the show. However, this year she went for a sports mesh cut-out gown, cross-hatched with squares of blue glitter by Versace. I feel like the complexity of all the different elements intertwined, made it difficult to make the gown look flattering, even on Kendall. 8/10

Lily-Rose Depp. Oh how I wish I was 16 and wearing Chanel Couture. I feel like the dress itself is a bit age-innapropriate, almost as if she is 16 going on 30, which may not be a bad thing. I adore that bolero jacket, regardless. Just cast your eyes on those details, talk about eco-friendly- matchsticks, coated flowers and of course, diamonds. 8.4/10

Willow & Jaden Smith are literally the internet personified. They are just so cool that no one can knock that. Willow wore a Chanel ensemble including capri pants, which we all love, secretly and a black satin lined tweed blazer. Jaden looked sartorially swank in a Louis Vuitton two-piece. I want his jacket 8.9/10

Brie Larson, the dark horse of this year in terms of film and fashion. She chose yet another oblique-embracing gown, which actually resembles Taylor Swift's dress but longer. Brie is wearing Proenza Schouler and looks flawless. 9/10

Claire Danes perfectly married the two concepts of tech and fashion with this light-up Cinderella inspired ballgown by Zac Posen. Truly on my list of the most breath-taking gowns of the entire night, it certainly earned its spot on all the best dressed lists. 9.9/10

I feel bad because I love Demi Lovato, but I hate this dress with a passion. She unfortunately decided to sport a custom Moschino gown, which deemed severely tacky, in my opinion. The tri-tone colour palette and overhaul of texture is just too much for any sane human to handle. The theme was also not embraced, it's a no from me. 6/10

I am so glad that Emma Watson brought our attention to the ethical fashion debate. She has only just decided to start taking the stand in campaigning for the ethics in fashion and by doing so, she is now only wearing clothing which has been sourced conscientiously. With that in mind, this gown (Calvin Klein) is made up entirely from recycled plastic bottles! How incredible. She has brought that dose of modernity with the tapered trousers worn under the long skirt, combined with the elegance of the fitted bodice and off-the-shoulder sleeves. 9.9/10

Rita Ora, of course had to show some skin in a silver plated feather gown by Vera Wang. I hate to admit it, but I really am starting to gravitate towards her and her style. She's hit the nail right on the head with this one. It's the right amount of luxuriousness as well as sublimity needed for this kind of occasion. 9.8/10

Lady Gaga is the first person you would mention when talking about fashion in the age of technology. Think of Artpop, Famemonster, all those crazy outfits: the meat dress, the aluminium foil costume, the bubble dress. She does not disappoint.
This year she decided to sport something seemingly paired back for Mother Monster. A Versace ensemble including; a leotard, circuit board jacket ( yes real circuit boards from computers) and to top it all off, a pair of 9 inch booties. 9.5/10

Oh dear Katy Perry. What an absolute car crash, I look at this in horror. Her bag clips onto her dress- I have nothing to say. 2.5/10

Jourdan Dunn is potentially my favourite model of all time. She is strong, powerful. really influential and oozes beauty. For the Gala, she wore an audacious metallic Balmain gown which closely mirrored armour. Everything she wears just looks so natural and effortless on her, even the more structured nature of a highly convoluted Balmain creation can be carried with the greatest ease. 10/10

Gigi Hadid & Zayn Malik. Well, I don't know what to say about this one to be quite honest. Zayn evidently took the theme a bit too literally and executed something bordering on ridiculous. Gigi, on the other hand, disappointed me. This Tommy Hilfiger gown (who knew Tommy Hilfiger could make evening gowns?!) came across lack-lustre and a bit basic. Her $2000 chrome manicure slightly made up some ground. Even so, this is definitely not what we expect from the supermodels. 7.5/10

Karlie Kloss wore a custom gown by American designer, Brandon Maxwell.
Just look at this, breathe, and then applaud. Everything about this is pure perfection, so angelic, so captivating. Exemplified yet again is the most prominent trend of the oblique reveal. Goals 9.9/10

Bella Hadid represented the house of Givenchy in a ballooned tulle gown. She looks ethereal in head-to-toe black. I especially loved those thigh-high boots, adding a sense of youth to an already very sophisticated and mature look. 9.8/10

Selena Gomez. No, sorry, no. It is just unacceptable to wear clodhopper boots on a red-carpet, especially at the Met. What game is she playing? We get it, your spokeswoman for Louis Vuitton, however I do not agree with plucking an entire look off the runway and wearing it to a formal event, where's the imagination?! On another note, her makeup is on point. 5.7/10

We have reached the epitome of the fash disaster, yes that's right. Solange Knowles was, without a doubt, the worst dressed of the night! She wore some sort of sunshine yellow fanned chiffon monstrosity with coordinating latex leggings and Perspex shoes. I am just wondering what she thought when she tried this on, looked in the mirror and had the epiphany, 'Yes! I'm going to wear this to the Met'. One thing's for sure, she definitely let Beyoncé down. 2/10

Sarah-Jessica Parker, I am bewildered by this. Am I meant to like it or hate it?  If this outfit was on anyone else, I would have loathed it. However, on her I think this melange somehow works, anyway it is SJP afterall. Currently lusting over those turquoise Manolo Blahnik's. 7.5/10

Zoe Saldana wore a Dolce & Gabbana gown I actually liked, perhaps because it doesn't radiate sheer tackiness. Can we just take a moment to appreciate that train, how magnificent?! 9.3/10

Lastly, I conclude with the host of the evening, American Vogue's Anna Wintour. She embraced digitalism through the 3D quilted neoprene details of her floor-length Chanel gown with added tassels. I am a big fan of this. 9.7/10

Please Note: I do not own any of these images, courtesy of Vogue.co.uk, thehollywoodreporter.com and Getty

Oscars 2016 Red Carpet Critique

Ah that time of the year has finally arrived, the 88th Academy Awards, the most prestigious event in the Hollywood calendar. Now, before I begin I must put out a disclaimer just in case you admire one of the celebrities and/or their attire and I do not. I am deeply sorry if I offend thee, now let us begin:

I think we shall start off with Rooney Mara who wore this darling gown by Givenchy. 'Have I seen it before?' Do I hear you mumble... YES, yes you have! I don't know what her game is but she definitely wears the exact same Givenchy dress to every single red-carpet appearance, it's the same cut and silhouette although maybe a different fabric. It is almost as if she's trying to embody a ghost bride. She actually exuded a positive emotion- a hint of a smile which is shocking because Rooney always looks like she feels pain.
Rooney, darling come on, you look divine darling but it's getting tiresome now... its a 7.9/10.

Olivia Wilde in this exquisite Valentino Couture has to be one of my best dressed of the night. Yes, yes we shall address the fact that she has actually brush contoured her breasts in a minute.
This dress, on the other hand, is truly sumptuous. Can we take a moment to appreciate those pleats- cut into perfectly proportioned pieces that add to the sheer ethereality factor.
Now shall we mention the torso? Hmm I think not. 9/10

I adore everything about Alicia Vikander. Her awards season style has been exceptional, not forgetting her simply outstanding performance in The Danish Girl. (which saw her take home best supporting actress)
We've really seen her red-carpet style evolve; as spokeswoman for Louis Vuitton it only seems wise that she has chosen some of the most extraordinary gowns created by Nicholas Ghersquiere at Vuitton.
I, however, feel like she has let herself down at the last hurdle with this buttercup yellow mullet dress. I do not like how Ghersquiere has transposed those futuristic embellishments used in last season's SS16 collections onto the gown and I feel like he could have cut the hem-line instead of ruching and folding it up into the interior body, because frankly it looks like those tacky duvets one purchases at Argos. 6/10

If I was the stylist who decided to put Heidi Klum in that, I would have fled for my life. It seems that Halloween has come early this year, however in the form of Disney meets My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. I feel like someone must have told her that she can wear anything and pull it off...this though, uhuh. I can venture a guess how innocent Donatella Versace felt when Heidi suggested that she wanted to sever her couture creation and let her arm breathe.. it did not go down well. Who knows, perhaps Heidi suffers from extreme perspiration? Seems perfectly logical to me. 3.6/10

Cate Blanchett was undoubtedly my best dressed of the night. She wore this Armani Prive gown embellished with soft Swarovski pastel flowers. She epitomizes perfection on every single level. 10/10!

I was rather let down by Kate Winslet. I do not, and I repeat, do not like this dress! Essentially Ralph Lauren has made her a black bin bag or space latex, one could interpret this dress in a multitude of ways. It does nothing for her figure, it just looks frumpy- I'm afraid to say.
It seems there were many political campaigns at this year's Oscars, and I think Kate represented the BP oil spill campaign. Tragic..5/10

Julianne Moore looked immaculate in this Chanel Couture gown. Apparently Karl Lagerfeld and a 22 person strong team took 500 hours to create this dress and lordy has it paid off?! Layer on layer of black lace made up the main body of the gown, followed  by the X neckline encrusted in semi-precious stones. J'adore.. The only piece of criticism I have is with those O earrings, they just did not work. 9/7/10

Rachel McAdams tragically exemplified why women at these events cannot sit down. Why? Because they'll grease their gowns and that is what she's done here. However, I think in terms of it being Rachel McAdams she looks a firm 8/10. She has definitely come a long way:

Lady Gaga sneaking a cheeky jumpsuit in when everyone thought it was a ball gown. She looks darling, like a polished wishbone. Loving the normality of everything Gaga is trying to emulate at this current moment also. 8.4/10

Saoirse Ronan shows us how to slay the red carpet. She chose this angelic Calvin Klein Collection emerald green jewel-tone gown. Saoirse is the embodiment of the CK woman- muted colour palettes and a minimal yet restrained way of dressing 9.8/10

Last but not least we have Brie Larson, winner of the Best Actress categories throughout this entire award's season for her powerfully emotive performance as Joy in Room.
Her red-carpet style this season has been flawless. From the bejewelled Calvin Klein,  deconstructed Atelier Versace to this deep marine blue Gucci- she has chosen well.
This dress, surprisingly, is actually quite refined for the house of Gucci. With the appointing of new creative director Alessandro Michele, we have seen a vision we thought we would never see in Italian fashion- eclectic, androgynous, grannified, quirkly vintage and a suppressed profound luxuriousness.
I love this marine colour on Brie, it perfectly compliments her skin tone. I also admire how Michele has put subtle references from his collections into the gown, like those paper thin ruffles and the floral adorned belt. It's a 9.9/10 from me.

Please Note: I do not own any of these images, courtesy of Vogue.co.uk

Golden Globes 2016 Red Carpet Critique

It has come to that time of the year where my blog becomes ridden with hearty awards season red carpet critiques that are adored by so many of you.
Clinquant corals, plush pinks, mercury metallics and virtuous vanillas all doused the red carpet at the 73rd annual Golden Globe's creating a subtle spring-like ambiance which was embraced by all.
Without further ado I present to you my best and worst dressed of the evening:


Firstly, we start by discussing the most popular trend of the night- we are finally saying goodbye to the 'thighbrow' and welcoming in the 'ab flash'. According to Jennifer Lawrence and Brie Larson, who both picked floor-skimming gowns with perfectly proportioned cut-outs which sat low on the hip.
Brie, who was awarded best actress for her portrayal of a woman held in captivity in 'Room' wore a custom gown designed by none other than Francisco Costa at Calvin Klein. We like this, don't we, my dear readership?! She's gone for the X neck-line which we are all currently hankering over for Spring/Summer 2016, alongside copious lines of gold beaded embellishments which delicately fade away revealing sheer biscuity undertones . 10/10

Jennifer Lawrence, on the other hand, looked severely sumptuous in this structured scarlet Christian Dior paired with a diamond choker. After Raf Simon's 3 years as creative director for Dior, it seems that the essence of classic 50s Dior still very much remains, however now there is a much needed new futuristic dimension (hence the elevated midriff and the cut-outs). 10/10

Kate Hudson also followed suit delivering an ambitious albeit equally mesmerizing look. She donned a blush pink jewel-toned Michael Kors triptych of a choker, bandeau and skirt all connected up into one piece. Without a doubt a very risqué piece, however I think she carries it very well indeed. 9.5/10

We have reached our Givenchy 'moment', as one now calls it. Screen siren Cate Blanchett wore a piece from Riccardo Tisci's Spring/Summer 2016 collection, rather the more retrospective assemblage. All the evening gowns Tisci creates are artistically stunning, the attention to detail is just out of this world. Mirroring my thesis, Cate wears one of the most ornate gowns produced by the house, consisting 1920's lace applique and pearl pink layered fringe. Definitely evoking subtle hints of Tisci's rather romantic yet fetishist aesthetic. Unequivocally 10/10 from me.

Rooney Mara completely contrasted with her co-star Blanchett, sporting this rather drab shredded ruffled Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton. This dress has no life inside it, I am sorry but I saw the SS16 McQueen collection and none of the dresses presented were as dead as the one I see before me. Sarah Burton was meant to be exploring some of McQueen's fundamental leitmotifs including; naturalism, romanticism and the seemingly integral historicism. I see the historicism in this gown, but in no way shape or form is there the brief nuance of romanticism, not even the dusky rose palette nor the torn tiers of lace. 6/10

 

Moving onto Alicia Vikander in this white pleated pinafore-style Louis Vuitton gown. Now I am aware that a lot of people were not one for this dress, but I personally am infatuated with it. She epitomizes that new Vuitton look of sheer edginess, modernity and femininity. Love.. 9.7/10

Why was Katy Perry there? And why did she turn up wearing that dress? It was truly embarrassing... Don't get me wrong, it was a perfectly pleasant  Prada evening gown, minus the fact that it was  about two sizes too small for her resulting in her inability to actually walk. I mean Katy, please, this is not 2009 anymore; flailing your assets around, left, right and centre won't do anyone good! This is just simply beyond my comprehension.. 3.5/10

 

Saoirse Ronan looked like an ethereal vision in a cream (Yves) Saint Laurent. Who knew Hedi Slimane of YSL could veer away from seventies rock 'n' roll and execute such a simple though still classic gown? 9/10

Before I begin, can we just take a moment and appreciate that J-Lo is 46 and looks like that!? Simply incredible, in my opinion. She wore a mustard Giambattista Valli with a caped back and plenty of ruching. She defines everything timeless about Hollywood at this moment in time. 9/10

Regina King showed us two things- 1) how to pay homage to Diana Ross and 2) how to successfully fail at it. I shall be frank, so please don't take offense. It looks like a mermaid has thrown up on her and then Batman arrived to save the day and she stole his cape then sprayed it white so she'd look more 'paired down'. Well good job with that love. 5/10

Next we have Kate Bosworth in this Dolce&Gabbana OTT sequined gown. (It seems she's joining with Regina King to start a Diana Ross tribute band). As we all know, I do not like Dolce&Gabbana and I never will. I automatically take offense to all of their clothing simply because it is so atrociously tacky, this included. I am blinded by the amount of sequins they have managed to pack onto that poor woman. Kudos to her for her beauty look though, a strong 9 for that. 4.7/10

Amber Heard in Gucci is admittedly one of my favourites of the night. The pink palette is soft but at the same time gives the garment the right amount of audacity, especially with the addition of the floral adornment. That pleated tulle totally works in her favour, perfectly sculpting her figure and most importantly completing that look of outright fantasy. 10/10

 I'm glad to see that the fashion bloggers are attending the Globes this year. However, saying this, I am not so glad to see Olivia Palermo in this Delpozo. I am a fan of Olivia Palermo and her style, so I understand that she wants to be a bit more edgy and alternative, nonetheless I feel that this dress drowns her petite frame and that is a shame. 6.8/10

Finally we have come to my best dressed of the night! Lady Gaga in custom Atelier Versace.. undoubtedly an embodiment of Marilyn. Can we just appreciate just how inconceivably elegant this gown is?! The black velvet adds this luxurious dimension which is so hard to attain and the accentuation of her figure is so perfectly proportioned. I simply could not critique this dress even if I tried, it is one of the most stunning things I've ever seen! 1000000/10

Please Note: I do not own any of these images, courtesy of British Vogue- Vogue.co.uk (Getty)