Hello-Hello, it seems we might be back to “normal,” although ascertaining just what ‘normal’ is continues to evolve.
At the very least we return to more normal blather and bloviations topics, beginning with last night’s Met Ball. Considered by many as the fashion world’s Oscars, the night brings out the A-list. As Hilary Alexander wrote in The Telegraph:
“In terms of style, effort, money and glamour, this red carpet mother of all fashion-fests, orchestrated by Anna Wintour for the last 13 years, outshines them all.
It was an occasion for the well dressed and the merely wealthy.”
Below we see Ms Wintour (yes, that is The André in all his regal splendor to her right) in a stunning Chanel couture gown. On the right she is with her daughter, Bee Shaffer, who wore Balenciaga.
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The formal name for the event is the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala. This year’s event coincides with tomorrow’s opening of the highly anticipated Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty show.
Met Photos via WWD
As one might imagine, coming on the heels of the royal wedding and the two Sarah Burton McQueen wedding gowns, the atmosphere was electric. Below, the woman of the hour, Ms. Burton.
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Sarah Jessica Parker was in vintage McQueen.
AP Photos
Hamish Bowles was in McQueen.
Via
For those not familiar with the Costume Institute, it is part of the Met, housing more than 75,000 costumes and accessories. Below, part of the Lauren clan, left to right we see Dylan Lauren, David Lauren and Lauren Bush.
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Jessica Alba also wore Ralph Lauren, she was radiant.
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There were some figure-hugging creations; below left, Fergie in a Marchesa gown more reminiscent of a wedding dress, on the right we see Beyonce in Emilio Pucci with her husband, Jay-Z.
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How snug was Beyonce’s dress? She was unable to climb the stairs in it,
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The lights are blinding, Renée Zellweger is silhouetted below.
Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty
Some of our favorite faux-prepsters from Gossip Girl were on hand, Leighton Meester was in Louis Vuitton, Blake Lively in Grecian-inspired Chanel and Jessica Szohr in… in.. umm, we have lost our notes, eek!
AP/Getty/WWD
The level of detailing on these gowns is extraordinary.
AP/Getty/WWD
Below, Dakota and Elle Fanning, both wore Valentino.
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Perhaps our favorite gown of the evening was Ashley Greene’s, custom Donna Karan.
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It was exquisite.
Last night the first menswear from Tory Burch debuted, seen on Kanye West; the designer was in vintage Jean Patou that was gorgeous.
Mike Segar/Reuters
Tommy Hilfiger his wife, Dee,and Jessica Stam wore Hilfiger.
Reuters
It is a busy week for Mr. Hilfiger, the designer’s collaborative line with Lisa Birnbach, Prep World, launches its first pop-up store in the US.
Prep World/Tommy Hilfiger
As covered in this post, the first pop-up store was in Paris. The temporary stores are designed to look like a beachside cottage in the Hamptons, below we show the model store.
Courtesy Image
And here is the real deal under construction in the Meatpacking district, originally scheduled to open the 28th of April, now looking like it will be ready for a Thursday opening.
The capsule collection features an array of products, many of them appealing.
Some of the merchandise is available online.
For more background on the line, click here. If interested in seeing the Paris Prep World, click here.
Apologies for the brevity today, but we must race out the door!
ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:
- Kristin Somody Whalen/WWD
- Steve Eichner/WWD
The Preppy Princess 
I can’t wait to go to the pop-up Tommy so fun. Although Meatpacking is the least preppy place in the city!!!
I always love the Costume Gala! I’m sure the McQueen exhibit is just stunning!
Sure fun to pore over the incredible dresses. Of those pictured, I think my favorite might be SJP. I miss Alexander McQueen!
The whole Lauren clan, so chic, but to be expected…love how they all look and I must say I think SJ Parker has never looked better and I an not necessarily her biggest fan but my she looks quite good and so sophisticated and elegant. The others……ugh for lack of a better word, disappointing…with ALL those resources at their beck and call, THATS the best they can do? Shame shame shame. Beyonce…WHAT was she thinking? Dear lord, she looks like she poured into that costume! The Fanning girls in Valentino…not feeling it one bit. Ashley Greene looked amazing, so classy and gorgeous. Tory Burch either looked really awkward just in that picture or something seems off, oh…I get it! Its her accessory that off……Kanye West…lol (couldn’t resist) Great post….
Thanks for posting all of these photos with the coverage. You’ve got to love the Beyonce dress. Looks like she’s being pushed out both ends like a tube of tooth paste. I love the body language from Tory Burch. I’m sure she wasn’t thrilled to have Kanye as her model.