The stars poured out from Maybachs, black Cadillacs, and even a Prius in what seemed like the biggest celebrity event in recent memory to honor the late Alexander McQueen.
It was Alexander McQueen’s legacy that triumphed this weekend. First was the house’s dress via Sarah Burton for the future queen, Kate Middleton, for the wedding of the century. Then it was staging of the extravagant and one of the most extensive costume exhibits we have ever seen at his soon to be open exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum’s Savage Beauty exhibit starting on May 4. The Fab Team was privy to an early press preview and have already vowed to return again now that it is open to the public.
And to top of the McQueen legacy, the Met’s annual fete, the Costume Institute Gala was in honor of the Savage Love exhibit and a celebration of a brilliant life.
The entry stairs of the Met museum were covered with red carpet when we arrived and young, handsome men dressed in traditional Scottish kilts stood at the entrance to greet the celebrity guests.
Ladies who truly defined ‘supermodel’ like Naomi Campbell, Giselle and Iman looked stunning in dresses (Iman wore a gold pants/top) that were couture worthy which was in keeping with the spirit of Alexander McQueen. Models of the moment, Doutzen Kroes, dwarfed the red carpet with her massive flowing red dress with endless train.
The erstwhile and yes, my favorite editor from Vogue- Hamish Bowles, was easily spotted in his red plaid caped suit running from Barneys New York with a diminutive but powerful socialite heiress, Daphne Guinness. We had seen Ms. Daphne change in a brilliant PR coupe in the Barneys NY windows for Alexander McQueen that same day.
Tom Ford flashed his devilish smile and somehow made the tuxedo sexy again as he escorted his date up the stairs. Christian Louboutin came with a red velvet jacket and black hat with plaid Oxford shoes.
Stella McCartney came and bought her father, Paul McCartney with her and even, Yoko came to the exhibit. Florence without the Machine was resplendent in red hair and massive white furry coat made a grand entrance but her coat made a hasty exit on the arms of an assistant later on the evening.
The very pregnant Kate Hudson and Jessica Alba showed off their beautiful bumps in floor length dresses while the always gentleman-ly designer, Oscar De La Renta, escorted the new mom, Penelope Cruz, carefully up the stairs. A collective sigh went up for the tan Orlando Bloom until his gorgeous model wife and new mom, Miranda Kerr, stepped out. Women in the crowds gasped at her razor thin waist and mile high heels. Apparently the laws of gravity and nature do not apply to pregnancies of model types. Sigh….
One surprise of the night was Miss Semi Homemade, Sandra Lee, who wore cream chiffon gloves and a sparkly matching cream strapless gown.
Jennifer Lopez was immediately lost in the crowd in a flurry of red floor length outfit.
Amy Poehler looked like silver screen platinum legend as she wore a black fitted dress with sheer chiffon neckline. Christina Ricci was very petite in person but looked stunning in her cobwebby embroidered mermaid gown as designer Zac Posen escorted her.
Twilight girls Kristen Stewart showed up sans Robert Pattinson but she must have had company with Ashley Greene. Ashley Greene looked chic and elegant in her blush colored dress with silver sequin streaks.
Beyoncé and Jay Z arrived late in a Maybach but Beyoncé’s figure hugging Pucci dress was so form fitting that her gallant husband and assistant had to help her navigate the stairs.
But the most naturally beautiful star for me was the radiant Michelle Williams who wore a simple black Miu Miu dress with gold sparrow appliqués.
And finally, the red carpet show ended with Madonna arriving nearly two hours late after the event was slated to start. She nearly tripped when her heels got caught in her long star spangled Stella McCartney satin train. Madge kneeled down to detangle herself before being escorted by Guy Oseary up the stairs. The seemed to signal the beginning of the ball and the end of the show for us.
today. The extensive exhibit is one of the most elaborate, dramatic tributes to a designer I have ever seen.
