Divas and Darlings - The Met Gala 2011

Red Carpet Fashion
The Met Costume Institute Gala 2011

The Annual Costume Institute Gala, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the Oscar night of fashion. Everyone who is anyone attends, in their finest designer gowns, from the demure to the dramatic. This year, the theme of the exhibit was 'Alexander McQueen : Savage Beauty', which honoured the late designer. These are the divas, darlings and disasters of the evening. 

Simple and Modern Silhouettes 

Frieda Pinto wears a white silk gown by Chanel Spring Couture 2010. The dress is given a masculine twist with the addition of a black tie, high collar and wrist watch. Ginnifer Goodwin in an emerald silk Topshop dress with twist front and cut-outs. She contrasted it with navy Aperlai heels and Kotur clutch. Zoe Saldana dons a lovely lemon Calvin Klein gown. Brooklyn Decker went neon pink in a long-sleeved fitted Michael Kors dress with thigh high slit. The nude heels elongate her legs even more. Isla Fischer shines in a royal blue Tory Burch gown. Emma Roberts is elegant in a one-shoulder Michael Kors dress with cut-out at the hip.

Scarlet Ladies

Lea Michele wears a strapless Escada gown with asymmetrical sweetheart neckline. Isabel Lucas is in a unique coral pleated dress by Louis Vuitton. She accessorized with a gold headpiece, earrings and LV minaudiere bag. Gisele is radiant in an Alexander McQueen gown with voluminous skirt. Dianna Agron wore a simple red dress with triangular neckline by popular designer of the night, Michael Kors. Mary-Kate Olsen stays true to her offbeat style in a loosely fitting, long-sleeved vintage dress by Givenchy Couture.

The Quirky and Unusual

Blake Lively wore a sari draped Chanel Couture gown with silver embroidered bodice. Miranda Kerr is pretty in a swan inspired Marchesa tulle mini. Her look is completed by lacey Nicholas Kirkwood heels. Emma Stone went floral in a gray and black silk satin dress by Lanvin. Elle Fanning is whimsical in a black and white ensemble by Valentino. Liv Tyler wears a wing-quilted Givenchy Couture gown that's dipped in yellow. She carried a yellow Givenchy clutch.

Blush Tones

Mom-to-be Jessica Alba glows in a gold lamé dress by Ralph Lauren. Sarah Jessica Parker pays tribute to McQueen in an exquisite long sleeved beaded gown. Taylor Swift chose a black and nude organza gown with florid train by J.Mendel Couture. Gwyneth Paltrow kept it sleek in a shimmery nude gown by Stella McCartney. Salma Hayek wears a champagne chiffon Alexander McQueen dress with a rosette on the hip.

Different Takes on Black

Beyone wears an elaborate mermaid gown with gold embroidered bodice by Emilio Pucci. Jessica Szohr goes short in a fringed tinseled mini by Topshop Unique. Mia Wasikowska is a hit in this embellished black tea-length dress by Thakoon. Demi Moore takes flight in a fully feathered gown by Prabal Gurung. Her royal wedding inspired fascinator is by Philip Treacy. Michelle Williams is her quirky self in a Miu Miu silk gown adorned with gold birds.

Princess Dresses

Keri Hilson wears a gray knit Atelier Versace gown with tulle skirt. Michelle Alves looks stunning in a vintage lace dress by Abed Mahfouz. Model Jessica Stam is darling in a blush pink tulle gown by Tommy Hilfiger. Ashley Greene wears a strapless tulle gown with strings of sequins by Donna Karan. 17 year-old Dakota Fanning is age-appropriate in daisy-decorated ballgown by Valentino.

Most Disappointing

Rihanna in a black lace dilemma by Stella McCartney, the plaited hair just makes this look worse. Kristen Stewart in Proenza Schouler - the geometric print and red shiny fabric deters from any elegance. Ashley Olsen wears vintage Dior, the puffy Dynasty sleeves killed it for me. Emily Browning wears a Bordeaux lace dress with cap-sleeves and high-neck by Marc Jacobs This look ages her by years and the bag is appalling. Christina Hendricks in an organza gown by Carolina Herrera, looks like the last thing she grabbed while her house was on fire.

Shock Frocks

I almost have no words for these. Almost. Fergie takes her turn at playing a bride in this 80's style wedding gown by Marchesa. Christina Ricci in Zac Posen - this is more of a Halloween costume with all it's spider-webbing detail. Naomi Campbell is a fashion felon in shreds of white fabric by Alexander McQueen. Karolina Kurkova in an ill-fitting gown by Jean Paul Gaultier - so many things wrong, especially the white lace leggings. Daphne Guinness wears this gargantuan feathered 'structure' from the last Alexander McQueen Collection. I'm going to have endless nightmares about this one.