Italy, France, America, Britain and Spain are home to some of the world’s most famous fashion designers, but over the past few years many from China and those of Chinese descent from around the world have experienced great surges in their global prominence. Alexander Wang, Vera Wang, Phillip Lim, Jimmy Choo and Jason Wu are all some of the more well known Chinese designers whose outfits made it onto the shoulders of celebrities and onto the red carpet at the Met Gala this year.
This year’s special theme was “China: Through the Looking Glass”, so it was brilliant of Anna Wintour and her Vogue team to shine the spotlight on China’s rich and diverse fashion history and culture. Other designers, perhaps less well known before – though will surely see interest in them peak now – also got a chance to be showcased this year, including jewellery designers Anna Hu, Cindy Chao, Anita Ko and Lynn Ban, as well as Guo Pei and Christopher Bu.
Each year, the Met Gala’s theme is different and those invited are encouraged/expected to dress to it, though sometimes the themes are hard to define or keep to. “China”, however, allows everyone to bring out the soft, pastel-coloured florals (groundbreaking!), reds/pinks/lilacs, golds, dragons, silk, extravagant Empress-inspired outfits and qipao-like dresses. Below are some of the outfits worn by a variety of celebrities – models, actresses, singers, entrepreneurs, etc. – both Chinese and non-Chinese alike, that I felt best complemented this year’s theme (which was CHINA by the way, not Japan, Korea or general Oriental/Asian… *cough* Lady Gaga *cough*). And it was good to see some lovely Chinese-inspired designs by Western designers too. Some of them are great, some of them not so great and some just look a bit weird but 10/10 for unique effort and style! (All images from Vogue.com)
The Ladies in Red:
Bee Shaffer rocking peach blossoms(?) in Alexander McQueen.
Helen Mirren in sleek D&G attire.
Jessica Hart in an ancient Chinese-style patterned Valentino number.
Lizzie Tisch’s flowery take on the qipao in Erdem.
Model Qin Shu Pei in classic red Tommy Hilfiger.
Sienna Miller sporting a stylish martial arts-inspired outfit by Thakoon.
Actress Li Xin feathered up in Alexander McQueen.
Empress or Concubine?
Mixed-race TV presenter Alexa Chung honoured her Chinese roots in this strapless Erdem number. They look like curtains though.
Chloë Sevigny opted for this two-tone strapless J.W.Anderson dress. Not feeling the bow.
Emily Blunt wearing Prada (how fitting!) with Anna Hu jewellery in this light blue qipao dress that is a nice alternative to the typical red.
Fan Bingbing looking regal in Christopher Bu.
Lauren Santo Domingo’s yellow Proenza Schouler qipao had a bit too much floral.
Rihanna was the talk of the world when she graced the carpet in this yellow Guo Pei outfit. I despise too much yellow but she definitely stood out.
Tabitha Simmons and Coco Brandolini D’Adda in contrasting coloured D&G outfits. A bit too fancy dress really.
Brie Larson, Courtney Eaton and Annabelle Wallis also wore D&G, though only Annabelle really works her dress the best.
The Wonderful Weirdoes?
Ex-model Grace Coddington in Michael Kors pyjamas… Erm?
Janelle Monae in a custom made H&M outfit (don’t expect to find it at your local store). Hmm random, but I do like the Queue she’s rocking!
Sarah Jessica Parker in a H&M dress (this you can probably find at your local store) and Cindy Chao jewellery. The headdress is ugly but is reminiscent of Tibetan attire.
Solange Knowles didn’t cause a stir this year with Bey and Jay, but instead caused a stir on the carpet with this funkadelic Giles Deacon fan dress. How did she not get annoyed with that?
Less is more, ladies:
Gong Li kept it pretty plain and simple in this fitted Roberto Cavalli dress with minimum detail kept to the laced collar, shoulders and upper arms.
Zhang Ziyi looks like she’s at her wedding in this pure white Carolina Herrera dress with Cindy Chao jewellery added as embellishments on it.
The men and boy:
Adrien Brody took the Emperor’s crown that night with a slick, intricately embroidered D&G suit.
Justin Bieber wore a Balmain suit with dragons on it, which was pretty cool. No need for the sunglasses though, you tosser.
Singer Miguel stood out in an all red 2-piece Michael Kors suit with a simple black shirt.
Which outfits were your favourites out of these 21 women, 2 men and 1 boy? Or who do you think I missed out (yeah, there were more but too many to write that much about)?
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