Good morning, my fashion flock. It's Tuesday and I'm sick with a cold once again- have a feeling it's all the dust in my apartment from the aforementioned floors but taking this opportunity to get some rest today...
But there was no rest for the fashion crowd last night at one of the biggest parties of the year, The 2011 Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art last night and honored Alexander McQueen. I am dying to see the new exhibit there and the next time I am in New York I am most likely heading there straight from the airport. I am sure it's a fantastic show full of fantasy, immaculate tailoring, and imagination. Note Daphne Guiness here in McQueen and see what I mean (PS she dressed for the event in Barney's window at 5 pm yesterday. Talk about the ultimate in here I am...).
It's interesting that the world will now know McQueen for Kate MIddleton's dress, but the Sarah Burton iteration of his legacy is a huge departure from his rather "out there" take on dressing (and I mean out there in the best of possible ways). McQueen was more Isabella Blow and Daphne G. than Kate and Pippa, but at least his name lives on as a fashion icon for years to come. And the fashion crowd came out in all their finest to honor him last night.
I'm just going to be blunt and say that last night's looks left me cold. There was not much there that was super fantastic, so what I gravitated toward were in two camps- the neutral and the gamine-esque. Everybody else left me rather meh.
I simply adore the neutral palette worn last night it's beyond sexy and shows off beautiful skin, with a figure to match. I adore the below looks because they are elegant and quiet and simple but also completely dazzling and fantastic. Maybe I'm still in post wedding mode, but I admire women that can dress simply and still steal the show. Dakota Fanning was in Valentino looking much like Queen Mab , a hot Natasha Poly was in Alex Wang, an elegant Ashley Greene in Donna Karan, Renee in Carolina Herrera, Gwyneth in Stella McCartney, white is neutral too as shown by Florence Welch in YSL, a gorgeous Naomi Watts in Stella McCartney, a dessert like Jessica Stam in Tommy Hilfiger (so girly but love it). Also adore this metallic McQueen rocked by Karen Elson. I love the idea of gold as a neutral as well, albeit a bit more shiny and POW. And loving the long sleeves on some of these looks. I am a fan of a longer sleeve length these days.
On another note, I am a sucker for a gamine. I have always loved the Farrowesque, the Heburnish, the Sebergette. It's a look I gravitate toward because it's girlish and young but also a bit tomboyish at the same time. In essence, it's adorable. And Ginnifer Goodwin in Topshop and Michelle Williams in Miu Miu did it well.How cute are they? (And you already know ad nauseam how I feel about green...)
And in the random category, loving these Marni girls- Cindy Sherman, Consuelo Castiglioni (of Marni), Anouck Lepère, and Giovanna Battaglia all wore the designer. They remind me of art school and those cooler than you girls that always had an eye for a cool print/ethnic sensibilty. I dig.
Oh and check out Crystal Renn as McQueen's black swan...amazing. This was what McQueen was all about- Drama with a capital D.
But neutrals, pixies, arty girls and black swans aside, who was my favorite from last night? Brooklyn Decker, in Michael Kors. This girl epitomizes American style- simple, chic, athletic, and optimistic. Tell me that color doesn't give you a little sense of the "yes we can". It stands out amidst the sea of fussy and she's a gorgeous girl. This is a gorgeous girl from the US of A and since we're all feeling a little patriotic this week, I give her the look of the night for its confidence, happy color, and simple elegance. Love.
And that's what's up this fashion packed Tuesday in the MIA. Next year at the Met Ball, kids. All the love. XO