Thursday, 4 May 2017

The Art of The In-Between // Met Gala 2017

When thinking of contemporary fashion that pushes the norm, challenges the conventional notions of beauty and lasts the test of time, one designer and fashion house spring to mind- Rei Kawakubo. This exact reason is why Kawakubo's label Comme Des Garçons is being celebrated as the latest annual Costume Institute exhibition 'Rei Kawakubo/ Comme Des Garcons: The Art of The In-Between' at the one and only Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.


Comme Des Garçons embodies the element of imbalance and the idea of denying established values and breaking the comfortable barrier by using extreme, sculptural shapes and exaggerated forms to create a visual ambiguity that has influenced the fashion industry for over 40 years. The up-coming exhibition displays around 140 pieces from the label's early days in the 80s right up to its current offering to the world of couture.


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// A/W 2016 // S/S 2008 // S/S 2017 //


As always, to accompany the opening of this creative and inspiring show the annual Met Gala invites the bold and beautiful to embrace this avant-garde theme in a coming together of visual elegance and support. I've whipped up a collection of stand-out looks from the night, starting with the most dedicated of fashion fans that took the theme straight to heart, filtering down to attendees that gave a gentle tip of the hat to the evening's inspiration.


CDG Looks

Going fully structural, loud and daring to give it everything this group of individuals did Kawakubo proud. Rihanna stole the show once again (remember that yellow Guo Pei trail?!) in this floral, peek a boo outfit straight from the Comme Des Garçons catwalk. Badass Tracee Ellis Ross looked stunning in her royal blue gown and Caroline Kennedy was sweet as a rose in her abstract, layered look. The tartan piece worn by Julie Macklowe celebrates the designer's latest collection and both Stella Tennant and Anna Cleveland rocked fierce CDG looks with some serious flair.


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Avant Garde

Many of the guests at this years gala took the theme Avant Garde and hunted down some truly magnificent, show stoppers. One of my favourite looks of the night was worn by the ever-beautiful Zendaya, who looked so elegant in this zesty Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda dress. Matched with her soft, natural hair she just looks a vision! Another truly gorgeous gown was the Christian Siriano pink, frothy fantasy worn by Laura Osnes. Can we just take a minute to bow down to the team behind Lily Collins look? Now that is an over all win. Her Giambattista gown plays with texture, contrasting colour and of course exaggerated proportions and pairing this with her gothic hair and make-up just scores a 10 out of 10 in my books. Blake Lively took to the red carpet in a body cinching gold Atelier Versace ending in a flourish of bright blue feathers!


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https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2017/05/02/met-gala-2017-best-dressed/101187374/


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A Slight Nod

Not focusing on Comme style but adding a wee touch in honour of the event these next looks strike the right chord in a more subtle manner. Hailey Baldwin wore a tiered, nude two piece by Carolina Herrera, playing with shape in a youthful, dainty way. Katie Holmes wore a discrete gown by king of the red carpet Zac Posen, that from some angles looks relatively safe and demure, until you catch a load of that fish tail! Such stunning detail in the folds and pleats work perfectly towards the style aesthetics of the evening. Lui Wen goes minimal in Off-White which is a refreshing contrast to the enormous silhouettes seen on other guests. Rose Byrne plays tribute to the fluro red used often in Kawakubo's collections by adorning herself in this sumptuous Ralph Lauren plunging floor-sweeper whilst Lily Aldridge also went for Ralph Lauren in this playful cut-out number. Keeping things smart and stylish in black were Fei Fei Sun in super chic Alberta Ferretti and Kate Bosworth in bubble-tastic Tory Burch.


https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2017/05/02/met-gala-2017-best-dressed/101187374/


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Worth a mention

These scaredy cats played it safe and opted for less volume and more glamour, which I do find a bit of a shame considering the nature of the event, but all breath-taking outfits none the less. Swishy and ethereal, Elle Fanning chose a Miu Miu strapless gown whilst Aymeline Valade also went true blue in this game-changer Marni suit. Olivia Cooke plunged in Burberry, Candice Swanepoel struck a sharp pose in Topshop and Taylor Hill looked demure and delicate in Carolina Herrera on the night.


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Top Met Gala Beauty Looks

Bold, daring and playful, these ladies made it a top to toe look at this years Met Ball.


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Top Met Gala After-Party Looks

Not wanting to let the fun end, these power-houses took the fashion show on the road, changing into these fabulous get-ups for the Met Gala after party!


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Congratulations if you made it to the end of this photo heavy post, I just can't get enough of this event and have it marked on my calendar every year! I think considering the theme was somewhat of a challenge (not many starlets will choose to give up their figure hugging, 'pretty' aesthetic in honour of controversy), the evening was a hit and rings in the opening of this exciting new exhibition in serious style! Be sure to check out Vogue's Comme Des Garcons achieve, head here for other looks from the event and be sure to keep an eye on the Faded Windmills facebook page for extra snap shots!

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