The Met Costume Institute Gala 2012: The Best and The Worst Dressed

Ah, the Metropolitan Museum Annual Costume Institute Gala. The Olympics of Fashion. The Most Stylish Event of the Year. In the World. Yes, all superlatives aside, this is my favorite red carpet event. The fashion is a lot riskier than the Academy Awards, which means better best dressed and worse worst dressed. There were several themes on the red carpet this year. Some knocked it out of the park and some crashed and burned. And the categories are...

Best and Worst Prada

Best - Anna Wintour in Prada. This year's gala honored Coco Chanel's greatest rival, Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada, so the ladies lucky enough to wear Prada were personally selected by the designer herself. Unfortunately, that didn't mean they got it right. The Vogue editor, however, did. Her surreal gown with giant lobster appliques by Prada was a nod to Elsa Schiaparelli's surrealist style. A perfect choice for the night.

Best - Kate Bosworth in Prada. This ombre feathered frock was a little bit quirky, a little bit sexy. Paired with dark maroon lips and a high top knot, Bosworth looked perfectly styled.

Best - Carey Mulligan in Prada. Along with Wintour, Mulligan co-hosted the event, so thank goodness she was one of the evening's best dressed. Her pompadour hairstyle, smoked out eyes and metallic paillettes made for a striking combination.

Worst - Eva Mendes in Prada. Terrible fit and terrible silhouette for the gorgeous actress. Mendes is short, so someone should have known not to put her in a strapless gown with a peplum! Totally unflattering.

Worst - Diane Kruger in Prada. Considering she was one of my best dressed of 2011, I was surprised to see Kruger in such a terrible fitting dress for the most stylish event of the year. Gorgeous dress, but it's way too baggy in the chest.

Best and Worst Black Lace

Best - Rooney Mara in Givenchy. So elegant! I adore this look. The sheer skirt is sexy without being trashy.

Worst - Marc Jacobs in Marc Jacobs. White boxers under a lace dress. Nuff said.

Best and Worst Prints

Best - Lizzie Tisch in Mary Katrantzou. The leggy socialite showed off her best assets in a high fashion dress that looked like it was made for her.

Worst - Elizabeth Banks in Mary Katrantzou. Again with the peplumed maxidresses! It's incredibly difficult to pull off this silhouette. Is Banks promoting her new movie, What to Expect When You're Expecting? 


Worst - Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar de la Renta. Matching your dress with your shoes? I normally revere SJP's high fashion savvy, but that's just bad. At least her hair and makeup look good.

Best and Worst Hot Pink

Best - Karlie Kloss in Jason Wu. This is one of the best looks of the night. Love the color, LOVE the black lace slip peeking through. Absolutely stunning.

Worst - Julianne Hough in Carolina Herrera. You're going to dress like eighties Malibu Barbie to the most stylish event of the year? Really?

Best and Worst Revealing Dresses

Best - Beyonce in Givenchy Haute Couture. Girl knows how to make an ENTRANCE. Can't believe this woman just gave birth. Super sexy, but not slutty.

Worst - Anja Rubik in Anthony Vaccarello. Whore-iffic. Although if I had her hip bones, I might wear that too. This looks like a nightgown from Frederick's of Hollywood.

Best and Worst Sequins

Best - Bianca Brandolini D'Adda in Dolce & Gabbana. Some thought this was way over the top, but I loved the drama. Bianca has the style to pull this outrageous sequined cape off.

Best - Camilla Belle in Ralph Lauren. When doesn't Camilla Belle look glamorous and elegant? Even when she wears a plunging neckline, she looks exceedingly chic.

Worst - Kate Upton in Michael Kors. The dress by itself isn't bad, but the supermodel's makeup was clownlike and tacky. Maybe I'm just used to her half naked, but she just looks awkward dressed this way.

Worst - Melania Trump in Marc Bouwer Couture. This edgy Lady Gaga like dress is too young for the Donald's wifey. She's so beautiful, I would love to see her in something more chic. The matching scowls complete this hideous look.

Best and Worst Ruffles

Best - Christina Ricci in Thakoon. This is so unique and fashion-forward, but so flattering on the petite actress. I love the slash of skin by the rib cage and the bodycon fit. Perfection!

Worst - Amy Poehler in Fotini. One more time: A peplumed maxidress on a short person is a terrible choice. This is actually a beautiful dress, but it overwhelms the comedienne's tiny frame.

Best and Worst Use of Color

Best - Constance Jablonski in Haider Ackermann. Unbelievable gown. Obsessed with the colorblocking, and obsessed with the material. Ackermann is a genius, and the coloring suits the beautiful model perfectly.

Best - January Jones in Versace. The necklace pairing was an unexpected choice, but I love it. Also, this dress couldn't flatter the actress' perfect figure any better!

Worst - Lori Goldstein in Sonia Rykiel and Lisa Robertson. Apparently, the one on the right is a celebrity stylist, but the internet must be lying to me, because that couldn't be possible. These two fools look like they live in the Hunger Games' Capitol.

Best and Worst Vintage

Best - Coco Rocha in vintage Givenchy. Apparently this pantsuit belonged to Elizabeth Taylor, and while I have no idea how the leggy model got it to fit her, it looks amazing on her. I also adore how Rocha tied in Elsa Schiaparelli's famous shocking pink into her outfit and hair. Such a fun choice for this event!

Worst - Lauren Santo Domingo in vintage Oscar de la Renta. While I normally love the blue-blooded socialite's upscale taste, I think this is the most hideous gown I have ever seen on her. Call me crazy, but those sleeves are horrible.

Best and Worst Alexander McQueen

Best - Cate Blanchett in Alexander McQueen. I love how the actress took a high fashion look and made it look like the easiest thing to wear in the world. She looks stunning in this.

Worst - Florence Welch in Alexander McQueen. I loved this on the runway, but it does not translate well to real life, even for a fashion event like this. If the sleeves were cut off right above the elbow, the singer would have knocked it out of the park, but there are so many tiers hanging off her, she looks like a wedding cake.

Best and Worst Rachel Zoe

Best - Karolina Kurkova in Rachel Zoe. Only a supermodel could pull off this over-the-top look. I LOVE this. Look at that pose! Kurkova is such a pro, she looks fantastic in this head-to-toe shimmering creation.

Worst - Rachel Zoe in Rachel Zoe. Why is it that the pint-sized stylist can style everyone but herself? Rule of thumb: if you're skinny enough that your sternum shows through, please don't wear a dress that shows that. This does nothing for her figure.

Best and Worst Sexy

Best - Gisele in Givenchy Haute Couture. This dress is smoking hot. The zipper all the way up the front is so scandalous, and this gown hugs every one of Gisele's famous curves. The supermodel knows how to do sexy well.

Worst - Lea Michele in Diane von Furstenberg. Don't get me wrong, I actually love this dress, but the Glee star always insists on wearing gowns that would look better on a... Gisele. She keeps trying to play the sex bomb and it always looks so forced and awkward. 

Best and Worst Princess Moment

Best - Scarlett Johansson in Dolce & Gabbana. The sexy actress' tousled hair looks amazing with her beaded bodice gown. Great styling!

Worst - Dakota Fanning in Louis Vuitton. This is a little too sweet for me. With her cutesy barrette, straight hair and Disney Princess gown, Fanning looks like she's playing dress up.

Best Age Appropriate

Best - Hailee Steinfeld in Miu Miu. The young actress must have a fantastic stylist, because she always looks amazing at red carpet events, and this night was no exception.

Best - Emma Stone in Lanvin. The fit and length of this plastic flower covered frock is so youthful and fun. It's a breath of fresh air in comparison to some of the heavily trained and peplumed dresses of the night.

Worst - Mary Kate Olsen in The Row. Why does Mary Kate insist on looking like an old woman when she's in her mid twenties? Her hair also looked absolutely terrible, like she had rat nests in it and covered it in powder. I don't understand.

Worst - Lily Collins in Valentino. I don't get Hollywood's obsession with long sleeved prairie gowns. These young starlets can wear this stuff when they're eighty, but you're only young once! Lily Collins is a beautiful young actress, and she could do so much better than this hideous dress.

Best and Worst Marchesa

Best - Sofia Vergara in Marchesa. The gorgeous actress looked statuesque and elegant in this gown, even though there was a ruffle around her waist. Her hair and makeup flawlessly complemented the gown.

Worst - Leighton Meester in Marchesa. Sometimes Marchesa gowns are breathtaking, and sometimes they are a frou frou mess. In this case, it's the latter. Mixed with shiny skin and weird hair, and you have a fashion disaster. The color is terrible, too.

Who was on your best and worst dressed list? I would love to hear your opinions in the comments!

This Year's 20 Best Dressed (For the Fashion-Obsessed)

To compile 2011's list, I literally pored over hundreds (maybe thousands) of party pictures, to avoid picking the obvious (Lady Gaga, Kate Middleton, Emma Stone), in lieu of the more deserved, albeit perhaps more obscure, best dressed people. I chose a couple of actresses that are in the limelight quite a bit, but many of the people I chose work in the fashion industry realm. It took forever for me to narrow them down to 20, but here they are: 2011's Best Dressed (For the Fashion-Obsessed). Tell me if you agree or disagree in the comments!

1. Shala Monroque - magazine editor at Garage magazine

Shala Monroque is the girlfriend of art giant Larry Gagosian, and it's no wonder how she caught his eye - the St. Lucia born beauty is a walking work of art. A friend and muse of Miuccia Prada, Monroque is an expert at putting together beautifully styled ensembles. 

2. Giovanna Battaglia - Freelance stylist for W Magazine

Giovanna Battaglia is a true style chameleon - the gorgeous Italian can easily pull off any style. One day she's attending a party in vintage bondage Versace and another she looks chic and prim in a ladylike day dress. She is also regularly seen with one of the most covetable accessories on the planet - boyfriend Vladamir Roitfeld.

3. Michelle Harper - On the board of directors for FIT's Couture Council

Not since Daphne Guinness have I seen someone rock eccentric chic as well as Michelle Harper. She always manages to nab the runway pieces that I lust for most and wears them her own unique way.

4. Diane Kruger - actress

Diane Kruger never has a fashion misstep. I looked through dozens of pictures of her and she always manages to look flawless wherever she goes. Even still, she chooses interesting pieces and takes fashion risks - like the super cute tuxedo short suit she wore for an InStyle party earlier this year.

5. Karolina Kurkova - model

The Czech supermodel had some phenomenal red carpet appearances this year - I was totally in love with her hooded sparkly green jumpsuit she wore to the CDFA awards and the white, pearl-embellished Chanel couture she wore at Cannes. Kurkova also wore a flawless Chanel couture suit to the royal wedding in Monaco. And did I mention her off-duty look is just as great?

6. The Courtin-Clarins Girls - French heiresses to Clarins cosmetics company

Sisters Virginie and Claire Courtin-Clarins and their cousins, twins Jenna and Prisca Courtin-Clarins took the fashion world by storm when they showed up front row to all the best fashion shows this year. Tall, thin, and incredibly stylish, the French heiresses are my newest style obsession.

7. Hanneli Mustaparta - blogger for hanneli.com

Hanneli Mustaparta pulls off minimalist chic better than anyone I've seen. With her model good looks, the beautiful blogger is more often in front of the camera than behind her own. She can also pull off tricky looks with ease - like sandals with socks and sweaters tied around her neck - and looks great doing so.

8. Camilla Belle - actress

I'm not even sure if Camilla Belle has done any acting lately, but she sure always looks chic.  In every picture she's always classy, always sophisticated, and always on top of the trends. 

9. Abbey Lee - model

I really don't think Abbey Lee could give a flying eff about what the trends are. The platinum blond model always marches to the beat of her own drum and looks so damn cool doing so. I love how her style is part Victorian goth, part glam bohemian, and all her own.

10. Anna Dello Russo - Vogue Nippon fashion editor

I couldn't help but pick Anna Dello Russo two years in a row for my best dressed list. The fashion editor has a closet that my dreams are made of, brimming with the coolest and latest designer pieces.  Next time you see a model in an outrageous outfit marching down the runway and think, "Who the heck could wear that?" you'll have an answer.

11. Charlotte Casiraghi - Princess of Monaco

Sorry Kate Middleton, but Charlotte Casiraghi wins the title of the most stylish royal of the year. A true fashion fan, Charlotte likes to don fringed and colorblocked Gucci frocks at events, but still always looks princess appropriate. At the royal wedding of Charlene Wittstock and Prince Albert of Monaco last summer, Charlotte looked the picture of elegance in pink Chanel couture before changing into a Giambattista Valli couture gown that channeled her grandma Grace Kelly.

12. Sarah Jessica Parker - actress

I know this is a more obvious choice, but what can I say? Sarah Jessica Parker still has got it going on. For every red (or blue) carpet event this year, SJP stunned in fabulous designer confections.

13. Theophilus London - musician

The lone male on my list, Theophilus London perfectly mixes flamboyance with testosterone. Channeling a modern Jimi Hendrix, the hat aficionado caught my eye all year with his stylishly eccentric flair.

14. Caroline Sieber - Stylist

The London-based stylist and Chanel muse has a seriously well rounded closet. Scandalously see-through Christopher Kane? Check. Bespoke gray wool suit? Check. Chanel minidress with thigh high leather boots? Check. If I could only raid her closet...

15. Hailee Steinfeld - actress

I'm usually not one to obsess over tweens, but Hailee Steinfeld has incredible taste (or an incredible stylist, more likely). Out of every Hollywood star this year, I would take a gander and say that the 15-year-old actress had the best red carpet attire.

16. Anja Rubik - model

Anja Rubik always dresses to kill. Whether in tribal Balmain or colorblocked Gucci, the sexy model knows how to make an entrance.

17. Natalia Vodianova - model

In fairy-princess red Valentino couture at her Love Ball, Natalia Vodianova solidified her spot on my best dressed list in one appearance. But the Russian model also looked smashing at the Met ball in another vintage Valentino gown and at Carine Roitfeld's Bal de Vampires event in a stunning sheer white number.

18. Blake Lively - actress

Say what you will about Blake Lively, but the girl has style. How could you not if your BFFs are Karl Lagerfeld and Christian Louboutin?

19. Karen Elson - model

I've always adored Karen's bohemian style. I think it's what Florence Welch is trying to do, except with a little more polish and sex appeal.

20. Kirsten Dunst - actress

This one surprised me too, but I could not deny how well Kirsten Dunst dressed this year. She was always wearing risk-taking fashions, but never looked like the clothes were wearing her. Not to mention, she recently wore one of my favorite looks from Spring 2012 - the Dolce & Gabbana chili pepper dress. Gorgeous!

Top 15 Looks from the 2010 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Above: Erin Heatherton walks in the "Wild Things" segment

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is the most over-the-top spectacle in the fashion industry for a few reasons:

First, it's broadcast on national TV, divided into six different fantastical themes.  Second, it's a celebrity studded event headlined by two massively popular musical acts.  It also doesn't hurt that the most beautiful models in the world star in the show and purposely flirt it up for the cameras with winks, kisses and booty shakes.  And lastly, unlike most fashion shows where the sole purpose is to draw attention to the clothes, the VS show has a sole purpose to draw attention to a helluva lot of T&A. 

I watch the show for the "thinspiration," and cute lingerie.  Check out my 15 favorite "outfits" from the super sexy event.

 From top: Adriana Lima, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Alessandra Ambrosio walk in the "Tough Love" segment

  

 From top: Jess Stam and Candice Swanepoel walk in the "Country Girls" segment

From top: Erin Heatherton, Karolina Kurkova, Shannan Click and Isabeli Fontana walk in the "Game On" segment

 

 

From top: Chanel Iman, Lily Donaldson and Adriana Lima in the $2 million bombshell fantasy bra walk in the "Heavenly Bodies" segment

From top: Behati Prinsloo and Jessica Stam walk in the "Pink" segment