DivaDebbi's Love and Loathes at The Met Gala 2016

Rihana, entering the Met Gala last year dressed in homage
 to the the theme of the exhibit, "China through the Looking Glass"

This is it Lovelies.  The most coveted night in fashion of the year.  The Academy Awards used to hold the title, but ever since Anna Wintour of Vogue took over the reigns, the "First Monday in May" has grown to eclipse it.  In April, a documentary of said name debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Sartorial heaven, make no mistake.

If one did have an extra $30, 000 to attend, what is actually a bonanza benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, the chances of attending are still nil. Wintour herself, approves every guest, even if they are to be seated at a corporately sponsored table, which goes for $275,000. 

What does result is a heady brew of some of worlds most elite icons of fashion, film, art, music, sports, politics, media and business,  (Apple is a sponsor this year.) There is a theme every year, and guests are encouraged to seek inspiration from it.  This year's theme is Manus x Machine and examines how technology continues to influence designers.

Wintour's Co-Chairs this year are Taylor Swift, my pretend boyfriend  Idris Elba and Jony Ive (the male Chief of Design at Apple. Your welcome.) If you want more scoop, Vanessa Friedman of the NY Times did a fabulous piece on the Met Gala . Even she, an insider, sounds like she will be watching with her nose pressed up on her ipad with the rest of us.

This year, the Red Carpet is also be shown live on the E Channel starting at  7pm ET , which illustrates how much of a spectacle this annual  cultural benefit as become I wonder if Anna vetted the hosts as well...I'm not certain Ryan Seacrest would exactly be her cup of Da Hong Pao. 

So enough chit chat, let the fun begin!

Trends emerged quickly; silver, gold, brocades, white, dark lips, sleek hair.
My top picks go to the women who look sleek, modern and a tad futuristic, with at least a passing nod to theme.

Balmain, Marchesa, and Atelier Versace had and outstanding night as did American design icons Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger. There is also something kind of wonderful, when two knockouts are also produced by retail giants Topshop and H&M, who serve up affordable fashion for every budget. I'm traditional. It's a gala. Unless  your Taylor Swift...short for me is a NO. Oh and one last thing, I never, ever comment about Ms. Wintour...nothing good could possibly come from it.

Model Karolina Kurkova's Marchesa dress below, came with a battery pack, with lights that twinkled in different colors based on fan's tweets!  Too boot, it was beautiful. 

All and all a spectacular spectacle...

A+

Taylor Swift, nearly unrecognizable, with a new platinum bob
and black lips, in Louis Vuitton

Poppy Delvigne in Marchesa

Gigi Hadid and the Weekend (who will be performing)
in Tommy Hilfiger 

Zendaya in Michael Kors

Brie Larson in Proenza Schouler (though I loathe the shoe choice, lip and hair)

Hailee Steinfeld in H&M

Kate Hudson in Atelier Versace

Kylie Jenner, spectacular in Balmain

Kendall Jenner in Atelier Versace
(Surely these two were adopted)

Beyonce san J- Zee in embroidered latex couture Givenchy
Now that is genius, not to mention the body that got poured into it

Cindy Crawford in Balmain
Let's just leave it WOW!

Lupito Nyong'o in Calvin Klein
with an unfortunate Madge Simpson do.

The always divine Naomi Watts in Burberry

Lea Seydoux a knock out in Louis Vuitton

Olivia Wilde with a baby bump in Michael Kors

A- Beautiful but no trace of theme

Allison Williams, her best yet.

Naomi Harris in Burberry

A newly engaged Kate Upton in Top Shop

Jessica Chastain

Rosie Huntington-Whitely in Ralph Lauren

The (F)ails

The Met Gala 2015: DivaDebbi's Fashion Report Card

Some people may think the Academy Awards is fashion's most important night of the year--Not me. I'm in the camp that would vote for the the first Monday night in May, when Anna Wintour and her handpicked co-chairs host the annual Met Gala aka, The Party of the Year.

Wintour, who has been chairing this star studded event, in what is now her 20th year, has successfully turned it into both a haute couture carnival and a blockbuster fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, (now deservedly named in her honor.)

Rumor has it, that if you are lucky enough to make the cut of the some 700 or so beautiful and famous, you dare not not show. Those who decline are never asked back. This is one party I might swap a kidney to attend...

As always, guests are requested to dress in  the theme that reflects that year's exhibit.  This year, it is China: Through the Looking Glass which examines the influences of Chinese fashion on culture over the years.

I attend several parties in the course of the a year that ask guests to dress in theme.  I always do my best to at least do a nod of homage in my attire. To me it's just good manners and shows respect to my hosts. It takes a bit more effort, inevitably it adds to the fun and festivities. Of course, I'll  also being weighing in on who got it right and who took the "costume"  thing too much to heart...

It's going to be a long one, so for the sake of brevity, I will winnow it down to the Best and the Worst.  Is there regular old fugly??? Absolutely, (Jennifer Connelly, Keri Russell, Kristen Wiig).  Is there missed the mark, despite having a dozen stylists??? Yup, (Allison Williams, Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Alba.) Am I confused about the dresses that look like they should have been worn to a whole other event, like Elizabeth Banks turquoise cut-out Jersey Michael Kors???

Sure...but there are so many, that's a whole other blog. For now, I give you the Best and the Worst, with biggest props going towards those who managed to balance tasteful, with the Chinese inspired theme.

Get the Look: Kate Hudson

Get the Look: Kate Hudson by divadebbi

The adorable Kate Hudson appeared on David Letterman the other night.  The black leather "jean" skirt she wore was from Michael Kors pre-fall collection. I've always had a soft spot for black paired with fuscia...I think its pretty, chic and seasonless.

I am starting to come around to the white pump revival, though I can't see myself ever wearing them...and it has nothing to do with the fact that my size 41 MB's would look like white fiberglass skis.

I remember when Sarah Jessica Parker, a loyal Manolo Blahnik aficionado, first wore classic white pumps last year, while everyone else was teetering in YSL Tributes.  It looked somewhat jarring to the eye at the time, but remarkably, the eye does adjust.  Do I like them???

The fashion jury is still out...How about you?

xox,

DD

DivaDebbi's Red Carpet Report Card: Golden Globes 2013

I am happy to say this is my 1000th post and as I write this, I will hit my 500,000th page view.  Thank you all so much for reading my Blog.  There are a zillion out there, and if you choose to read mine, I truly appreciate it.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Co-Hosts

NOW on to the big stuff, the 2013 Golden Globes Awards.  How completely refreshing and adorable were Tina Fey and Amy Poehler???  They absolutely killed it with a combination of wit, delivery and hi-jinx, those little minx.  Adored!

As always, trends become apparent immediately on the Red Carpet...don't these stylists compare notes?  Any way what did we see? An abundance or red, gold, black and nude, sheer, backless, cut outs, long sleeves and fishtails.

The Golden Globes is normally the most casual of the Big 3 (GG's, AA's and the Emmy's), but last night the ladies were dressed and tressed to kill. I can't wait for the AA's...what could possible top this?

There were far more spectacular looks and some really good ones than flat out disasters damn it , so for the sake of brevity I will do my Best and Worst looks only.