HOLLYWOOD—The so-called party of the year, the Met Gala, was held on Monday, May 1 at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. It’s the launch party for the Met’s latest big exhibition, which this year focuses on Rei Kawakubo, founder of fashion house Come Des Garons. The guests were encouraged to dress to coordinate with the exhibition theme, and they normally make a huge effort. We do mean, a huge effort. No surprise that many celebrities showed up in what seemed as huge space-age gowns and very extravagant headpieces.
This exclusive event held every year, the first Monday in May, has tickets costing tens of thousands of dollars and a very flamboyant dress code. The hosts, Ana Wintour, known as the gatekeeper for the gala, Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen, Katy Perry and Pharrell Williams. The honorary chairwomen were Ms. Kawakubo and Caroline Kennedy, the former United States ambassador to Japan. Let’s take a look at some of the celebrities and what they wore for the gala; Gigi Hadid wore a Tommy Hilfiger mini dress with a tulle trin paired with sexy fishnet stockings. She was solo, since boyfriend Zayn Malik is recovering from a foot injury. Kim Kardashian was a vision in white with hubby Kanye West.
Fashion’s biggest night saw pop princess Rihanna in a floral outfit from Comme des Garcons in a 18th-Century Punk collection. You have to ask where did Helen Lasichanh have her arms? She wore a puffy red jumpsuit with her arms tucked in to the suit. New couple on the block, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez made an elegant entrance, she wore a very conservative powder blue gown, very refined. Selena Gomez wore a Coach frock and her boyfriend, The Weeknd in a tux. While Zendaya opted for a parrot-printed ball gown by Dolce and Gabbana, she must love parrots. Hot parents Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, in an Atelier Versace plume train gown.
Gala co-chairs Tom Brady and wife Gisele Bundchen, looked stunning and elegant in a Stella McCartney. Donatella Versace and Kylie Jenner looked fabulous in of course, Versace. Aww, can’ forget the twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen paid homage to Comme’s “Broken Brides,” in matching vintage lace and piles of costume jewels. Rita Ora in a red bow-festooned Marchesa dress and bleached sculptured hairdo. Also in red, American-Egyptian actor Rami Malek arrived in a daring red Dior Suit. We can’t forget about Katy Perry, her makeup was out of this world, with a red veil and dyed short hair to go with her Margiela look. Red seemed to be the color of the night, even for plus-size model Ashley Graham in a red and white tulle explosion in a custom H&M. Madonna looked ready for battle with a camo-printed Moschino gown. Nicki Minaj cinches her custom H&M ensemble with a belt bearing Rei Kawakubo’s face.
So how much does a ticket cost? Tickets this year cost an estimated $30,000 each, and tables are about $275,000. Of course, lots of celebrities get in for free, as fashion brands invite them to sit at their tables, so that’s how that works. Similar to a barter, in return, they’re expected to wear clothes by that designer. But they have to be A-listers. There are only 600 places, and everyone has to be approved by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who chairs the event. What happens inside is top-secret, social media has been banned inside the event itself. There is a dinner, and a chance to see the exhibition, as well as music. So here it is in a nutshell, it’s an opportunity for the A-listers to party in a stunning venue, many of them for free. Then add, the exclusive guest list which adds to the appeal. However, it’s mostly about the fashion. This is the number one world’s luxurious fashion event, costumed by the top designers.
According to published reports, Coach is eyeing Jimmy Choo. Handbag maker Coach is in a possible acquisition of Jimmy Choo that could be worth more than $1.3 billion. Last week, Jimmy Choo’s owner, Luxembourg-based conglomerate JAB, confirmed it is putting the luxury label on the block as it tightens its focus on its stable of coffee bands, which includes Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Caribou Coffee and Keurig Green Mountain.
Rose’s Scoop: Enjoy a Cinco de Mayo themed pub or club crawl through Hollywood with drink specials at each venue at Outpost Hollywood on May 5. Cinco de Mayo at Olvera St in downtown LA, with live music and dancing, followed with mariachis, folklorico dancers, pinatas and more at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument on May 5 with a weekend festival. Wishing everyone a Happy Cinco De Mayo!