When it comes to theMetropolitan Museum of Art’s annual Costume Institute gala, images of ball gowns, long trains and clean, sophisticated silhouettes come to mind. But fashion is rarely about playing by the rules, and you can dress to impress without playing it safe. Here are the 10 celebrities who took the biggest risks on the red carpet last night.
Beyonce doesn’t need a ball gown to prove she’s fashion royalty. Queen B opted for a black-beaded Givenchy gown with a deep V-cut. Wearing a matching birdcage veil and classic black heels, the look came across as edgy while still being gala-appropriate.
While most of the other celebrities in attendance wore black, white or gold, Emma Stone stood way, way out in hot pink. And if wearing such a bold color wasn’t risky enough, she sported a crop top. Paired with a fishtail braid and a light pink lip, Stone nailed it, looking both sophisticated and modern, the epitome of what Young Hollywood should be.
Florence Welch is known for her bohemian, whimsical style, and last night’s fashion choice was no exception. Wearing Valentino Couture, the Florence & The Machine singer stayed true to her personal style, leaving the more traditional ball gowns for less adventurous starlets.
There was no way to miss Ivanka Trump on the red carpet, who wore a lime green Oscar de la Renta dress. The brocade print plays off the unusual color in a surprisingly fresh way.
Kate Upton should be proud of the assets that are responsible for her fame, but there’s a time and place to show them off, and the Met Gala isn’t one of them. The cleavage, ruffles and sheer lace are just too much. Some rules aren’t meant to be broken.
Poor Katie Holmes must have been trapped at home with Suri watching “Beauty and the Beast” when she was choosing her Met gown. Her yellow Marchesa dress is a little too Disney princess. She could have at least done her hair.
Lupita Nyong’o took the biggest risk of all in a beaded and feathered Prada gown. There’s no denying she’s stunning, and red carpet style is usually a game Nyong’o wins every time, but between the gems, the feathers and the headband, there’s just too much going on here.
While Beyonce, Gisele and a slew of other guests flaunted their cleavage, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen couldn’t be more covered up. Their Victorian-style gowns completely buck the idea that you have to show skin to look sexy.
Leave it to Rihanna to find the perfect way to show off her body without looking cheap. Her two-piece dress showed off her toned abs and bare back. White hot.
Floral gowns are a recurring theme at the Met Gala, but not quite in the way Tabitha Simmons took. Her tulle Dolce & Gabbana dress was layers upon layers of tulle, topped with pink blooms.
Follow Emily on Twitter: @EmLaurence
