Trends // Red Carpet Trends: Looks from the 2012 Costume Institute Gala

Deemed “The Oscars of Fashion” and “The Party of the Year,” the annual Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art brings in fashion’s most sought-after designers and their model muses, Hollywood’s most watched celebrities, and even New York’s favorite sports stars. Clad in their best black-tie attire, this year’s attendees celebrated one of the 1930’s most influential designers, Elsa Schiaparelli, and one of today’s, Miuccia Prada. The theme was “Impossible Conversations,” and an imaginary dialogue between Prada and the late Schiaparelli unfolded inside the museum, highlighted by displays of legendary looks by each designer. If Elsa Schiaparelli were alive today, she would have been proud of the exhibit, and of her colleague Miuccia Prada, who dressed many of the partygoers.

Said to be America’s most powerful woman, Vogue editor Anna Wintour wore Prada’s homage to Schiaparelli, a custom-made white sequined gown complete with a gold lobster reminiscent of Schiaparelli’s “famous lobster dress.”

Vogue’s renowned creative director, Grace Coddington wore a silky black dress and jacket and didn’t bother to tame her signature scarlet mane.

Actress Camilla Belle channeled old Hollywood glam in Ralph Lauren.

 

• Actress Carey Mulligan stepped out of the box in a flatteringly cut scaly, golden number.
• Actress Diane Kruger stunned in a sweeping, deep purple gown trimmed in feathers.
• Actress Kate Bosworth sported a sleek topknot and a flapper-esque feathered frock.
• Actress Eva Mendes wore a trendy embellished peplum gown in a vibrant orange hue.
• Actress Gwyneth Paltrow showed off her legs in a short, silky halter dress.
• Singer and relative newcomer Lana Del Rey enjoyed her first Met Ball experience while rocking sparkly Altuzarra topped by a gothic-inspired cape.
• Model Karolina Kurkova showcased her curves in a sequined gown from the Rachel Zoe Collection and a matching sequined turban.
• Actress Rooney Mara, who has been hailed as this era’s Audrey Hepburn, wore black lace and fittingly played muse to Givenchy’s successor Ricardo Tisci.
• Actress Emma Stone looked adorable in a red Lanvin creation covered in roughly 3,000 tiny flowers.
• Model Caroline Trentini wore custom Olivier Theyskens. (It’s denim!) Just married, she also had longtime friend Theyskens design her wedding dress.
• Model Coco Rocha was undoubtedly the most uniquely dressed in a Givenchy pantsuit she bought at the Liz Taylor auction. The lemon yellow ensemble came complete with a wine stain she refused to clean. Rocha also dyed the bottom of her hair “Schiaparelli pink” for the occasion.
• Actress Ashley Greene looked flawless in white, drape-heavy Donna Karan.
• Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looked statuesque in glimmering striped Burberry.
• Actress and SNL comedian Kristen Wiig stepped out in a patterned orange Stella McCartney dress.
• Singer Rihanna arrived last, but certainly not least in form-fitting Tom Ford. She joked that her “claw nails” took longer to perfect than the rest of her look.

With fashion’s finest celebrating such accomplished designers, this year’s Met Ball was surely one to remember. If you were unable to sit with your eyes glued to the red carpet live stream, the 2 hour special hosted by Elettra Wiedemann and William Norwich is accessible on Vogue’s website.