Top 20 Best Dressed at The Costume Institute Gala 2011

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual Costume Institute Gala is the superbowl of fashion. Rather than play it safe like at the Oscars, attendees take risks on their attire, which is why it's my favorite fashion event of the year. This year's exhibit is "Savage Beauty," a retrospective entirely devoted to Alexander McQueen's work, so its guests came dressed to impress in over-the top couture. Here are my picks for the event's best dressed.

1. Daphne Guinness in Alexander McQueen

Who wears McQueen better than eccentric heiress Daphne Guinness? That would be no one.


2. Natalia Vodianova in vintage Valentino Haute Couture (with Valentino Garavani)

The supermodel always looks divine, but I'm particularly obsessed with the fur and feather details on this gown.

3. Miranda Kerr in Marchesa.

It's seriously incredible that this woman JUST had a child. Also, I'm a sucker for anything resembling a tutu.

4. Shalom Harlow in Marchesa.

 The supermodels really brought it at this event. I wanted someone to wear this to the Oscars, but it's much more perfect for this event!

5. Hamish Bowles in Alexander McQueen and Christian Louboutin shoes (with Amar'e Stoudemire)

 The Vogue editor can do no wrong in my eyes. Loving this wacky suit on him. And did you read his profile of Amar'e awhile back? Hysterical.

6. Anna Wintour in Chanel Haute Couture.

 Gorgeous and unique, this sequined Chanel gown looks like it was made for the queen of Vogue.

7. Madonna in Stella McCartney.

 I love how this gown is both modern and vintage looking. The stars running down the back give it a quirky edge, but the train and puffed shoulders make it look very Harlowesque.

8. Diane Kruger in Jason Wu.

 Sexy, yet demure. Chic, yet attention getting. Perfection.

9. Jennifer Lopez in Gucci.

 I love this color on her, and the flowered bolero definitely makes a statement.

10. Blake Lively in Chanel Haute Couture (with Karl Lagerfeld)

 The sheer details on this gown make it unique. I kinda wish I had Blake's life. Or at least her friends.

11. Karen Elson in Alexander McQueen.

 This gold leaf creation is beyond stunning and perfect with Elson's flame red hair. Another gown with a gorgeous sheer skirt.

12. Rihanna in Stella McCartney.

 Totally over the top, but perfect for the Met Gala. I love how Rihanna's long braid gives her look more edge and matches the carpet. Her emerald earrings give it a contrasting finishing touch.

13. Rosie Huntington Whiteley in Burberry.

 Maxim's Hottest Woman in the World is so glamourous in this satin gown. Love.

14. Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen.

 Parker was a great friend to McQueen, and she truly looks fantastic in his designs. The hair, makeup and jewelry look flawless as well.

15. Hilary Rhoda in Alexander McQueen.

 The model shows off her legs in this exquisitely tailored McQueen tuxedo minidress. I love the tails on her jacket. Classic McQueen. The hair and makeup also looks super chic.

16. Arizona Muse in Altuzarra.

 I love how Arizona always looks like she jumped straight out of the pages of an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. Her flapperish Altuzarra complements her signature style and I adore those fur strap heels!

17. Isabel Lucas in Louis Vuitton.

 The waist band on this gown accentuates the actress' teeny tiny waist, and her amazing headpiece makes her stand out amongst the loads of more famous celebrities.

18. Hailee Steinfeld in Stella McCartney.

For such a young star, Hailee actually gets fashion. Or her stylist does. Either way, she looks fabulous!

19. Mariacarla Boscono in Givenchy Haute Couture (with Riccardo Tisci)

I've always loved this fantastic beaded and feathered and gown, and it looks fabulous on the red carpet.

20. Tie: Janelle Monae in Chanel and Anna Dello Russo in Alexander McQueen.

Definitely a bitch stole my look moment, but I couldn't choose just one. Janelle owns the pantsuit look, but ADR is wearing an egg on her head, so it was too hard to decide. Both look equally fierce!

My McQueen

Alexander McQueen and Isabella Blow in Essex. "Burning Down the House." Vanity Fair. March 1997. Photo by David LaChapelle.

Many assume the French are the most fashionable people in the world, due to their artfully disheveled sex appeal and "je ne sais quoi," but I've always found British style far more interesting for several reasons. First, traditional English tailoring is beyond compare: shoulders are tastefully amplified, waists are nipped to flatter, and every bespoke detail is painstakingly thought out.

British fashion eccentric Daphne Guinness in Alexander McQueen

Secondly, the British love against-the-grain fashion. They don't care if they're viewed as tacky or insane, and I love them for it. The most fashion-obsessed trendsetters have come out of the UK, and if unconventionalism was an art-form, the Monets, Picassos and Warhols of the world would all be Brits. Fashion over function, style over sensibility, and couture over cost-effectiveness, the British have served as the eccentric inspiration for pop personalities like Lady Gaga for ages.

Sarah Jessica Parker at McQueen's funeral wearing one of his designs. Feb, 25, 2010.

My favorite designer of my lifetime, Alexander McQueen, was London-born. When my friend Megan told me news of his suicide, I couldn't believe it. It was only a few years after his mentor, British eccentric Isabella Blow, took her own life. How could someone who was at the peak of his career have so many demons? Sadly, depression often strikes those who we least expect. His passing was extremely difficult for the fashion world to cope with.

Designs from his Spring 2008 collection, inspired by friend Isabella Blow. My coat is in the middle :)

McQueen was a genius because he mastered both technique and vision; most designers have a difficult time excelling at one of those categories. His dark, often shocking fashion shows never overshadowed his masterful tailoring skills. So imagine my excitement when I came upon one of his Prince of Wales plaid overcoats from his Spring 2008 collection, for less than $200 at a thrift store. I snatched it up in a heartbeat. I usually don't do outfit posts, because I don't want people to think that I think that I'm a model. I know I'm not! But I had to show off this purchase. The details and fit are perfection - everything I would expect from an Alexander McQueen runway piece.

Alexander McQueen coat, BCBG fur scarf, Joie boots.

This Diane von Furstenberg dress is also dear to my heart - it's the first purchase I made after starting FIT as a freshman in 2005! The necklace is vintage - I stole it from my mom.

I had to include my bullmastiff Khan in this photoshoot, because he would be the perfect accessory for a stroll on the English countryside, don't you think?

You can hype my Khan look on lookbook.nu here. Thanks!

Tom Ford S/S 2011 Womenswear Fashion Show

This is a fashion lover's extravaganza. Glam, glitz and everything fashion should be, but rarely is. Models smiling for once! People having fun! Celebs and models swilling champagne! Young and old alike modeling the clothes, proving that Tom Ford can make more than a 6" tall, 14-year-old, underfed model look radiant. Love, love, love. Best fashion show of the year. Beyonce, Daphne, Julianne, Marisa Berenson, Lauren Hutton, Natalia Vodianova, and other celebrity types model.

The 10 Best Dressed Women of 2010

A roundup of the ten best dressed of the year.  No matter the occasion, these ladies were consistent fashion trailblazers.

1.  Daphne Guinness.

Before Lady Gaga made it big on the music scene, Daphne Guinness was shocking the world with her eccentric sartorial choices.  Whether rocking 9 inch heelless Mary Janes or head to toe PVC, Guinness has a knack for securing all eyes on her commandingly tiny frame.

2. Carine Roitfeld.

For the past ten years as editor of French Vogue, Roitfeld has secured her spot as a fashion maverick.  Projecting the image of effortless cool that the magazine replicated, she showed the world what it really meant to be French: sexy, undone and one of a kind. 

 

3. Chanel Iman.

At the tender age of 20, Chanel Iman has gotten some of the world's most covetous modeling gigs.  From scoring Victoria Secret angel wings to several fashion magazine covers, this girl is a force to be reckoned with.  Her outfit choices are a mix of bohemian and glam, and Chanel has a sophisticated way of throwing her look together that does not go unnoticed. 

4.  Anna Dello Russo.

This Vogue Nippon editor has the most eviable collection of headpieces since Isabella Blow, and her madcap style makes her a favorite of the most famous street style photographers.  Always tanned, toned, and without visible makeup, Dello Russo has spurned many copycats amongst the fashion elite.

5.  Lily Donaldson.

The epitome of urban chic, Donaldson possesses an air of exuberance often lacking in other models' pouty demeanors.  A siren in red sheer tulle at French Vogue's 90th Anniversary masquerade ball or cool and modern in leather separates, Donaldson perfectly plays the role of the effortless model off duty.  I could easily see a Kate Moss comparison coming soon. 

6.  Lee Radziwill

If all 70+ yr old women dressed like this, the world would be a much better place.  Often referred to as Jackie O's more attractive little sister, Radziwill proves that classic elegance runs in the family.  Always age appropriate, poised and stylish, you will never see her wearing anything close to tacky.

7. Natalia Vodianova.

Vodianova has made a brilliant transition from catwalk queen to society circuit princess.  Spotted at every event this year that mattered, Vodianova always dressed to the nines.  The Russian supermodel makes each look her own, pairing couture gowns with artfully tousled hair or wickedly short minidresses with buckets of diamonds.  She was also my best dressed for French Vogue's 90th Anniversary masquerade ball in one of the most beautiful peekaboo lace gowns.

8. Naomi Campbell.

After Alexander McQueen died in February 2010, Naomi Campbell has been honoring her dear friend's memory by wearing many of his extravagant designs in the past year.  That fact alone has warranted her a spot on my best dressed list, but Campbell always manages to look glamorous whether she's working the red carpet or vacationing on her billionaire boyfriend's yacht.

 

9. Lauren Remington Platt.

Tall, whippet thin, and classically beautiful, Lauren Remington Platt personifies Park Avenue chic.  Clad in couture for high brow charity benefits, Remington Platt brings an air of old world glamour favored by past Upper East Side swans.  The New York society fixture always looks rich, never vulgar whether in high necked Ralph Lauren or sexy Hervé Léger, paired with demure 2 inch heels, of course.

10. Iman.

Maybe I just didn't notice this before, but Iman knows how to WORK it!  Is her gig hosting The Fashion Show causing her to upgrade her style or has she always looked that good?  I'm not sure, but the Somalian supermodel needs to keep doing whatever she's been doing!




... So that's all folks.  What do YOU think? Do you agree with my choices or did I miss one of your favorites?  Let me know in the comments!