The Met Gala is the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Annual Costume Institute Benefit.  Held annually on the first Monday of May, the gala is fashion’s biggest night.  Also known as “Met Monday” the purpose of this gala is

to raise money for the Costume Institute.  I love any type of event that supports an art, no matter what form it comes in.  So even though over the past couple of years this event has become more celebrity focused do to how society obsesses over celebrities, it’s still important that it happens because the gala raises A LOT of money for the Costume Institute.  Last year $13.5 million was raised.

This year’s theme is Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between.  Red Kawakubo is a Japanese designer who founded her label Comme des Garçons in 1969.  She’s only the second living designer to be honored at The Met.  Ms. Kawakubo is such an inspirational designer because she refuses to accept or follow any rules that depict what “normal” clothing designs should be.  She’s always challenging the ideas of what defines “normal” for fashion, beauty, etc.

Here are my top 3 favorite looks of the night, along with suggestions of what nail polish colors you could use to recreate these looks for your fingers.  Get creative and think outside the box like Ms. Rei Kawakubo!

Blake Lively

Wearing: Atelier Versace

Colors to Use: OPI’s ‘Rich Girls and Po-Boys’, ‘Take a Right on Bourbon’ or ‘Five-and-Ten’, ‘The I’s Have It’ and/or Essie’s ‘Borrowed and Blue’.

I love that this dress uses multiple textures and gives you an unexpected flare with the most vibrant blue feathers.  Blake is always perfectly polished in everything she wears.  I expected nothing less from her.

Cara Delevingne

Wearing: Chanel

Colors to Use: OPI’s ‘My Silk Tie’ and ‘The Glittering Night’

The amount of substance that Cara Delevingne has to her is so damn beautiful.  She’s constantly speaking her mind, being true to who she is, and challenges what the idea of beauty is supposed to mean.  Not only does she push boundaries with what should be considered normal the way Ms. Kawakubo does, but she did a fierce job with executing the theme of The Met Gala by shaving her head and painting it silver!  I love anything sparkly, and this patterned textured suit was perfection.  Her accents of glitter and crystals perfectly glued over her body, along with chrome nails and a silver head, were the perfect details to accent this look.  Add a hint of red from her Christian Louboutin’s and she’s Met Gala Red Carpet best dressed.

Stella Maxwell

Wearing: Custom H&M

Colors to Use: Essie’s ‘ Private Weekend’ or OPI’s ‘Kyoto Pearl’

Sometimes simple is key.  I love a look that is simple yet striking.  It can make for a timeless look that will never go out of style.  The sheer low cut bodice draped in pearls was truly breathtaking.  Who doesn’t love a string (or strings for that matter) of pearls?  This look was sophisticated but very sexy.  I adored Stella Maxwell in this!  Curious though if it was comfortable for her sitting down? (haha)

And of course I have a honorable mention, which goes to the one and only Tracee Ellis Ross wearing Comme des Garçons.  The color, the fabric, the spiked chrome Christian Louboutin’s to offset the silk floral print, and the avant-garde design of the dress.  Sooooo good!  Of course she was one of the best to execute this year’s Met Gala theme.

XO,

Melly