The 2016 Met Gala Theme was “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology.”
The exhibition focused on the dichotomy between handmade haute couture and machine-made fashion. “Traditionally, the distinction between the haute couture and prêt-à-porter was based on the handmade and the machine-made,” explains Andrew Bolton, curator of the Costume Institute. “But recently this distinction has become increasingly blurred as both disciplines have embraced the practices and techniques of the other.”
The show featured more than 100 pieces of fashion, both haute couture and ready-to-wear. Several handmade couture items, featuring techniques such as embroidery, pleating, and lacework, will be juxtaposed with machine-made designs showcasing new technologies like laser cutting, thermo shaping, and circular knitting. The exhibition will also have several “in process” workshops, including 3-D printing, in which the public will be able to see these designs take shape.
The 2016 Met Gala was hosted by co-chairs Idris Elba, Jonathan Ive, Taylor Swift, and Anna Wintour. Nicolas Ghesquière, Karl Lagerfeld, and Miuccia Prada served as honorary chairs, and the gala and accompanying exhibition was sponsored by Apple.
Here are our top 5 picks from the Gala:
Taylor Swift traded in her pretty preppy style for a glam goth look!
The “Bad Blood” singer hit the red carpet at the Met Gala on Monday night, sporting a sexy silver Louis Vuitton mini dress with a tiered ruffle skirt and cutout waist detailing. She added even more edge with below-the-knee caged boots, dazzling Eva Fehren rings and ear cuff and her brand-new platinum blonde bob and a bold, black lip.
One person said Taylor’s dress looked like a “cheap homecoming dress,” another applauded the Grammy-winner for looking like she was “getting revenge against all the men who’ve hurt her.”
Meanwhile, Madonna got some bad marks for exposing her boobs (with nipple censors!) and booty at the Met while wearing a bondage-inspired Givenchy dress with strategically-draped lace, body jewelry, and thigh-high leather boots.
The music legend defended her look by calling it a “political statement,” but the DFashionBD panel agreed that a 57-year-old should not be showing off her goods … ever.
Katy Perry made quite a statement when she hit the red carpet in her custom Prada gown at the Met Gala. The dress featured gold metallic details and one trinket some of you may have missed: a Tamagotchi pet — the uber-popular ’90s toy from Japan.
“I’ve had two Tamagotchis located in Connecticut and I just feel a little like … like I’m in tech, but I’m not playing your game,” the pop star told the press, “But I’ve been keeping these bitches alive since ’96.”
For Kim Kardashian, who wowed in Balmain, Cesar Ramirez, Mizani’s global artistic director, explained that he wanted the focus to be on the metallic gown. “I had to flex my colorist skills,” he told top glossy magazines about lightening her brows. After, celeb makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic used the waterproof Sephora Collection Retractable Brow Pencil in Honey Blonde to color them.
In Mrs. West’s case, the Rousteing’s signature embellished aesthetic for Balmain translated into a modern day take on a suit of armor. Her long-sleeve mirrored form-fitting dress featured an exposed corset and an alluring Angelina Jolie-esque slit.
Emma Watson is wearing an elegant monochrome Calvin Klein look, with an Old Hollywood full skirt, a fitted bodice and off-the-shoulder sleeves. But there is an unlikely twist to her classic red carpet look this year – and we’re not just talking about the fact that she is wearing trousers. Watson’s Met Gala outfit is actually made from recycled plastic bottles.
Instragram post by Emma Watson’s stylist:
“Tonight, the stunning @EmmaWatson on the #RedCarpet at the Met Ball in a look crafted by the incredible team at @Calvinklein. With the help of @ecoage this 5 piece look is created from 3 fabrics woven from yarns all made from recycled plastic bottles. Plastic is one of the biggest pollutants – being able to turn this waste into a high quality material is a real success story. Also this beautiful look was designed with the intention to be re purposed for future use; the pants can be worn on their own, the train can be used for another red carpet the ultimate #30Wears! #MetGala2016 Makeup:@therealdotti Hair: @visapyyapy”
