The MET Gala 2014

Ok, firstly, I'd like to get the boring stuff out of the way...

What the heck is the MET Gala??

For those of you who don't know, its formally called The Costume Institute Gala, and it is an annual fundraising gala for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. The timing of the gala also coincides with the opening of the institute's annual fashion exhibit.

Why is it such a star-studded event?

Blame Anna Wintour. She has been chair of the event since 1995, and this year the Costume Centre was officially named after her(The Anna Wintour Costume Centre). Every year, together with the staff at Vogue, she oversees the official guest list. If you weren't on the list this year, you could still go, but it would set you back $25,000. But I imagine Anna still has a pretty big say in those tickets as well. Sarah Jessica Parker is also on the board.
 

What do guests have to wear?

Every year there is a theme. Last year's theme 'Punk: Chaos to Couture' led to some pretty horrendous outfits (I'm looking at you Miley and Madonna). This year, the celebrated exhibit was 'Charles James: Beyond Fashion'. Without getting into who he was too much, essentially James was a British-born couturier who is most famous for his sculpted ball gowns made of lavish fabrics. He is also remembered for his capes and coats, which were often trimmed with fur and embroidery. Because of James' exhibit being this years 'theme', the dress code was stricter than ever. The code was officially 'White-tie and decorations'. According to Women's Wear Daily this translates to "full evening dress—a black tailcoat, waistcoat, a wing collar shit and a white bow tie". Basically, a level or two above your average black-tie. This dress-code, combined with the gala celebrating James, would lead you to expect to see grand ball gowns and men dressed like Prince Charming... but not everyone played by the rules. According to Wintour, Benedict Cumberbatch was pretty much the only man to dress truly to the code(and I must say he did look dashing!)

What does the MET Gala mean for designers?

In short, designers often custom-make outfits for their 'muses' and it's one of the few places you will see amazing couture gowns- other than on a runway. It's like a real-life catwalk, and because it's all about fashion and not about movies or TV shows, celebs are more likely to take risks and go all-out. This always leads to some pretty exciting looks!

Now for the fun stuff... the pictures!

Dita 'Even-I'm-a-little-bored-of-this-retro-look' Von Teese.

Selena Gomez.

Rosie Huntington-Whitely.

Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka.

Leighton Meester.

Hayden 'I-probably-had-to-pay-for-my-ticket'
Panettiere.

Funny lady Sarah Silverman looking not-at-all-funny in Zac Posen. Posen's designs perfectly meet the criteria of the night's theme, and he was responsible for many of the night's best dramatic ballgowns.

Georgia May Jagger.

Adriana Lima.

Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady.

Lea Michele.

Rihanna.

Amy Adams in a retro-inspired Oscar De La Renta.

Adele Exarchopoulos
(Nope, I don't know who she is either- I just thought her dress was interesting)

Anna Kendrick looking absolutely stunning-
one of my faves by J. Mendel.

Anne Hathaway looking rather boring.

Anna Wintour.

The ever-so-pretty Kate Upton in Dolce and Gabbana. While I get what they were going for, I don't think the designers did this beauty any justice...but her signature boobies look typically voluptuous.

Michelle Williams looking cute but completely inappropriate for the occasion.

Blake Lively looking a little too obviously old-Hollywood for my liking, but she clearly looks beautiful.

Rita Ora looking way too tarty for this event...or any event for that matter.

Charlize Theron.

The always-cute Chloe Moretz.

The always-fun Chloe Sevigny.

Dakota Johnson looking understatedly glam.

Pacey Witter...OK, sorry...Joshua Jackson and Diane Kruger.

Cara 'Screw-the-dress-code' Delevingne.

Jesscia 'What-have-I-done-lately?' Alba.

Suki 'you-only-know-who-I-am-cos-I-date-Bradly-Cooper' Waterhouse looking ethereal in ruffles.

Emmy Rossum looking super pretty in florals. I love this colour palette and think it would lend itself well to summer weddings and races.

Florence Welch.

Gabrielle Union in a daring two-piece.

Naomi Campbell with Riccardo Tisci.

Zoe Kravitz.

Arizona Muse in one of my favourite dresses of the night by Zac Posen. It's just so classic and well tailored. Full points!

Ivanka Trump.

Jourdan Dunn.

Idina 'It's-hard-to-believe-I'm-not-really-Lea-Michele's-mum' Menzel.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.

Alexa Chung.

Lupita Nyong'o- if she had just lost the stupid headband this would actually be quite fun. It's all a bit much though which is sad :-(

Jay-Z and Beyoncé. I adore the netting combined with Beyoncé's makeup. I think she looks absolutely beautiful and it perfectly compliments her dress.

Janelle Monae.

Kate Mara.

Selena Gomez, Diane Von Furstenburg and Jessica Alba.

A close up look at the best part of Kate Upton's outfit- her beautiful face and her décolletage.

Kendall 'In-your-face-Kim-the-fashion-world-loves-me' Jenner.

Katie Holmes- a woman who never ever seems to love or believe in what she is wearing, which always makes it look even worse. Confidence is key people!

Kirsten Dunst in a Rodarte dress that will make nerds around the world happy. Yes, that is the Death Star from Star Wars on her dress. For real. That's hard not to love.

Yeezy and Kim K. Kim certainly redeemed herself after last years Mrs-Doubtfire/ floral-couch debacle.

K-Stew, the most annoying celeb on the planet. And she doesn't look good either.

Lily Aldridge looking super-shiny...and I like it.

Lily Allen looking like a bit of a snoozefest. Nice, but Lily can do better...I expect more from Sheezus!

Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal who both seemed to throw the dress code out the window.

Margot Robbie in a disappointing hot-glue-gun-inspired number. But her hair and makeup look flawless. 

Another view of Queen B and Jay-Z. The more I see her dress, the more I like it.

SJP who took the Cinderella-style dress code seriously.

Emma Stone. I love love love this! I don't know if its really perfect for this event, but I LOVE it. I love these shades together- and on a redhead! Amazing! Bravo!

Nicole Richie.

Kylie Minogue looking lovely but underwhelming.

Zoe Saldana in a frock that has divided critics. I am on the fence. It's all a bit fun really.

Naomi Watts not looking like her usual flawless self, but I am happy that she didn't go for something completely safe.

Marion Cotillard looking super pretty in navy with some very fun shoes. Loving the pop of colour in the lippy!

Olivia Munn looking stunning and classic in yellow.

The world's hottest new girl group: Cara Delevingne, Rihanna, Stella McCartney, Reese Witherspoon(who's dress I absolutely adore!)and the ever-boring Kate Bosworth.

Rachel McAdams kept it simple and stylish.

Donatella Versace looking amazingly-tacky as always.

Dianna 'I'm-another-one-who-probably-had-to-pay-to-be-here' Agron in one of the fugliest frocks of the night.

Lena 'Why-do-stylists-keep-letting-me-out-like-this' Dunham.

A back view of SJP in her very Carrie Oscar De La Renta gown. Love this or hate this it is super dramatic and fun. 

Sarah Paulson in a dress that I really love but that I imagine many don't. I just love the colour and the detail on the skirt.

Shailene Woodley in a completely fugly frock. This girl needs a stylist that is going to help her find her fashion identity- she has been all over the place lately! And good god, she is only like 22- this dress is at least 52.

 

The always-daring Solange Knowles. I love the colour on her, but not loving the hair.

Mr Cumberbatch, dressed in his dapper gentlemanly white-tie getup. Very dreamy!

David and Victoria kept it super-sleek in white.

Taylor swift looking like a vintage Barbie doll.

Zooey Deschanel also rocking a super classic look, care of Tommy Hilfiger. How does she get her hair so voluminous?!

What was your fave look of the night? We would love to hear your comments! And let me know if I left anyone out- there were so many looks to see!
-Emily