Celebrity Fashion Sightings: 2015 Met Ball Gala

Another fashion red carpet; isn’t red carpet season over? Actually, it is. But, there is just one big major red carpet roundup that trumps even some of the red carpets during Award Season, the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute’s Gala.

Renamed last season the Anna Wintour Costume Center, for 2015 the Met Gala celebrated East meets West in its new exhibit “China Through the Looking Glass.” This detailed exhibit examines Chinese aesthetic ‘s impact on Western fashion. Though some fashion pundits and cultural critics may deem this exploration into what some may call chinoiserie a westerner world’s fetish with all things Asian, others will see this exhibit as a fantastic representation on how Chinese culture has influenced haute couture, avant-garde, and ready-to-wear collections.

In celebration of this new exhibit, the fashion elite and throngs of celebrities pulled out all the stops at the Met Gala last night. From a wide array of Emperor red red-carpet concoctions to some garments that perhaps would have had more clout on a Broadway stage, celebs made this East Coast red-carpet worthy of all the brouhaha and buzz!!

Emperor red, red everywhere

Emperor red and all its many variations was definitely the color of the evening for many fashion savvy celebs. Australian Supermodel Jessica Hart stunned the crowd in a chinoiserie-influenced deep red velvet Valentino gown with Carrera y Carrera and Sutra jewelry. Amal Clooney kept pace with the red trend by looking snatched in a crimson Maison Margiela tiered number. Pulling up the rear, so to speak, was Rita Ora in a Mandarin-styled red Tom Ford gown.

The curves have it

No one shows off their curves better than Jennifer Lopez, and at the Met Gala the 40-plus, triple threat in a revealing, peek-a-boo Atelier Versace gown, Sutra ruby fan earrings, Ivy ruby ring, Harry Kotlar 8 karat diamond ring and a Jack Vartanian diamond ringlet, everyone know that age aint nothing but a number. She was also on theme.

Kim Kardashian was as curvaceous as ever, but not in a good way. Her Roberto Cavalli gown with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry made her look like an overstuffed bird.

When in doubt wear black

Though some celebs stayed on theme, others played it safe. Miley Cyrus’ studded, high-collared number with large cutouts from Alexander Wang actually aged the pop sensation. While Julianne Moore looked the sophisticated Oscar winner in Givenchy Haute Couture. “It Model Girl” Cara Delevinge was downtown sassy, tattoos and all, in Stella McCartney.

And why not white?

Amanda Seyfried was a classy stunner in Givenchy Haute Couture. While you couldn’t get any more current than Theia Bridal spring 2015 which what Liz Hernandez donned for this stellar occasion. And it worked!!

Sleek and sophisticated

Taraji Henson may play a bigger than life character on Fox’s “Empire;” however, for this red carpet she was appropriately sophisticated and chic in Balenciaga. Fei Fei Sun looked great in Vogue’s “China Through the Looking Glass” editorial, and she was also luminous in Michael Kors for this red carpet. Kendall Jenner looked all grown up in Calvin Klein Collection’s pale green sheath gown.

The odd and outrageous

There were plenty of daring, odd outfits to go around this season, but that is par for the course at the Met Gala. Though some may not describe Beyonce’s Givenchy dress as odd, it was certainly daring and eye catching. When you look up odd in Webster’s dictionary, Lady Gaga’s photo is staring right at you, front and center. And true to form, she stayed true to her brand in an over-the-top outrageous and odd Balenciaga gown and cape.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s appeal has always been a mystery, and this mystery continues this season as they donned vintage Dior and John Galliano. Their Lilliputian stature makes Fashion Reverie think that they will break out in a chorus of “Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead” at any moment.

H&M and the men

Does H&M make red carpet clothes? If Janelle Monae has a say in it, they do. And she was definitely on trend with cape and crop top from H&M with Jack Vartanian diamond earrings, Le Vian rings, a Carla Amorim diamond bracelet and diamond rings, and a Casa Reale diamond ring.

True to form, Fashion Reverie never leaves the men out. Adrian Brody looked stylish in a Dolce & Gabbana jacket. Dwayne Wade looked sharp in Versace escorting Gabrielle Union in Zac Posen. And last but not least, Justin Bieber looked dapper in Balmain.

—William S. Gooch