The international red carpet has been a bit lack-lustre in the last few years, with not many spectacular looks walking down during award season or at the Met Gala. While award season remained rather unexciting, the Metropolitan Ball’s theme had us intrigued from get go.
Zoe Saldana opted for black in a dramatic Dolce and Gabbana gown that had everyone
floored.
The Met Gala goes futuristic with its theme, Fashion in the Age of Technology
The international red carpet has been a bit lack-lustre in the last few years, with not many spectacular looks walking down during award season or at the Met Gala. While award season remained rather unexciting, the Metropolitan Ball’s theme had us intrigued from get go. Titled Manus vs. Machina: Fashion in the Age of Technology, the theme focused on futuristic interpretations of fashion that brought to mind metallic accents, strong silhouettes and structures and bold styling. At least that’s what we hoped for and boy, were we in for a treat.
This was the best red carpet by far this season; celebrities, fashionistas and socialites pulled out all the stops to put together looks that were modern, experimental and some even married technology with couture. It wasn’t just the outfits that were testament to the meticulous attention to detail but the styling that made ensembles larger than life. From body paint to bleached eye brows, gowns lit from within by LED lights and robotic armour, the crimson clad steps to the Met Ball were replete with avant garden innovation that was riveting to watch.
Couple goals! Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid cause some serious damage to the retinas with their scorching hot look.
Our list of best dressed celebrities runs rather long and the short listing process arduous but the final edit features model Karolina Kournikova and Claire Danes in joint pole position for
their fabulously tech-inspired creations. Kournikova’s delicate Marchesa dress looks like a pretty 3D embellished gown at first glance but a closer examination revealed that the applique was studded with fairy lights aglow. Dressed in an icy blue Zac Posen gown, Danes also appeared to have opted for a safe choice until an image of her outfit taken in the dark emerged.
The ball gown was studded with glimmering galaxies of LED lights that managed to look modern and ethereal at the same time. It made for a Cinderella moment on the red carpet, particularly when she twirled. Following closely on the heels of these two leading ladies were siblings and models Lucky Blue Smith and Pyper America Smith, both in H&M, with America bringing a punk feel to her fringed, metallic creation with her pink tresses.
Others who deserve mention include power couple of the moment model Gigi Hadid and hunky crooner Zayn Malik, who wore a metallic exoskeleton arm over his suit. Hadid’s knuckle duster tied in with her boyfriend’s techy look. Lupita Nyong and her gravity defying hair earn bonus points from us for her unique beauty look. Anna Ewers in Hugo Boss, Zoe Saldana in a trailing Dolce and Gabbana creation, Clara and Amber Valleta in H&M, an edgy Kristen Stewart obviously donning Chanel and Poppy Delevingne in Marchesa all deserve honourable mentions for the drama they brought to the red carpet. Each detail regarding hair, make-up and accessories showed thoughtful planning, with some taking their transformation to the next level. Singer Ciara sported silver coiffed hair while Jemima Kirk’s smoky pink eyes and Rita Ora’s hair tattoos (actually her entire look) won major style points with us.
Claire Danes looked like she had stepped out of a Disney fairytale in an ethereal yet futuristic gown by couturier Zac Posen. The gown actually lit up!
While not every celebrity managed to nail the brief (we’re talking about you, Beyonce in that latex dress), the general standard of fashion on display was seriously haute. Pakistani stars, having just finished their round of awards could definitely benefit from taking a page or two out of the Met Gala’s style file. Showing up to a red carpet or award show isn’t just about borrowing a designer outfit but creating a cohesive look that is befitting of the occasion and ties in with the celebrity’s personality and style.
Simultaneously it’s also about hiring and trusting a reputed stylist whose bread and butter revolves around making people look good to pull the entire thing together for them. It’s disappointing to see that despite the strides the fashion industry has made, its progress isn’t reflected in the red carpet events that are practically custom tailored for designers to showcase wearable couture. And by couture we don’t mean bridal finery, as is often unfortunately the case. Here’s hoping that if nothing else, our stars keep abreast of international happenings and might in time pick up their style game with cues from the fraternity abroad.
