WHO WORE WHAT?.....2012 Met Ball: Cocktail Dresses

Short Dress Met Ball Madness...

In my last post, I highlighted some of my Top Picks of the Costume Institute "Schiaparelli And Prada: Impossible Conversations" Gala Met Ball 2012 red carpet last night--in particular, the MODELS and how they "worked it out". This post here is more about a certain "trend" of sorts on last night's red carpet: short cocktail dresses. Lots of actresses--and a model here and there--chose to don dresses that did not go to the floor, or have a train, or were Ball-worthy.

So here are The Cocktail Girls:

 

Emma Stone in Lanvin: Red, beaded, U-necked dress with thin straps and pouffy skirt section. The dress is Custom and it was designed by Alber Elbaz of Lanvin. I think she looked great. Loved the "messy" bouffant and the lack of "fussy" jewelry" (the dress has embellishment enough!). Not sure about those clunky black pumps. Although, they have become a big trend lately. What do you guys think? Are they OK or distracting? Let me know.

Carey Mulligan in Prada: How do you say FABULOUS in Italian?? Favoloso? If, so yes, it's FAVOLOSO. Mulligan is wearing Custom Prada (of course she is wearing Prada, the Italian Fashion House is on the Museum Exhibition's TITLE!) The oversized gold-and-silver paillete A-line shaped halter-neckline'd dress is "Jetsons" FAB! I just can't get enough of it! I know that if a dress like this were to retail, it would be about $15,000-$25,000--I would love to see the $159 department store version.

Kristen Stewart in Balenciaga Fall 2012: Designed by Nicolas Ghesquiere, Balmain's Creative Director/House Designer, it's from the Balenciaga Fall 2012 Runway show but instead of the color-blocked white midriff panel, it was red on Kristen. A lot of people on the "internets" are huffing & puffing about this look on Stewart but here's a SHOCKER: I like it! It's very neo-punk late 80's/early 90's and I get it. The paillete abstract-print top section combined with the color-blocked leather pencil skirt is a great look--especially for her. I also like that she paired it with the same shoes that were worn on the runway show. Good job Miss Kristen! Although I will say that I wish she would have done a bit more with the hair and make-up.

Melania Trump in Marc Bouwer Couture: Well darlings, I don't even know where to begin. But I will: let's just begin with the fact that she has a fabulous figure. I mean, seriously! I am a little "On the Red Carpet Fence" with this look. I love the silhouette, the way it fits (especially on Mrs. Trump) but it's the "I'm doing a Lady Gaga Pointed Shoulder Avant Garde" thang, which throws me off. My personal outlook on this look is that it didn't need to go there. I would have loved structured architectural shoulders. But PAGODA-shaped ones. Not sure. What do you guys think?

Alexa Chung and Karen Elson in Marc Jacobs: Two Fashion Girls doing the Marc Jacobs look. Chung's mid-thigh look is from the Marc Jacobs Fall 2012 and Elson's is from the Spring 2012 one. Who did Marc Jacobs best? Let me know.

Chloe Sevigny in Miu Miu Fall 2012: Miu Miu, as we all know, is the "lower line" of Miuccia Prada's Prada line. Sevigny wore a high-neck dress from the Miu Miu Fall 2012 Collection. ON the runway, it was shown over a black blouse. She wore it by itself. It's very "Rowan & Martin's Laugh In" TV Show. I would have LOVED to have seen Goldie in this...back in 1972.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Prada: Side Boob-age Alert. Yes, Miss Gwyneth--whom I just LOVE--gave some side-breast--at last night's Costume Institute Met Ball. The very short high-low duchesse satin  dress was a Custom Prada. In other words, not available at boutiques. And Thank God for that. The halter neckline at the sides needed about an inch to an inch and half added. How, the masterful Prada Pattern-maker/Fitter missed that is beyond me. So, therefore I figure that it was intentional. But why? Maybe for the fact that we are discussing it right now???

 

Kate Bosworth in Prada: Here's the thing, she looks great. Nothing wrong with this feathered "flapper girl" halter-neckline'd Custom Prada dress. The strappy heels are very 1979 Studio 54 (LOVE) and so is that rectangle clutch purse. 

 

Joan Smalls in Balmain with the designer, Olivier Rousteing: Finally, I added a model to this posting. I know, I did my "Models on the Met Gala Red Carpet" posting HERE, but Joan Smalls wore a mini dress. So, therefore, I felt she belonged here. For me, Smalls can do NO WRONG. This dress, is what every HOT female soldier of a FASHION DICTATOR'S Army. Now, can we DISCUSS this young (only 25!) good looking head of the House of Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing?? Looks like he may be the new Fashion Dictator!