Manus x Machina, Thoughts on The 2016 Met Gala

As soon as I heard this year's theme, I was expecting to be disappointed with The Met Gala red carpet.  I was anticipating futuristic silhouettes with flashing lights and maybe even a 3D printed dress or two.  But just because you have the technology to attach lights to a dress does not mean that you should.  Case in point, this Marchesa dress on Karolina Kurkova.  It was lovely without the tech - with the wiring, she looks like she belongs on a float at Disneyland (I hope no one spills a drink on her or there may be an unscheduled trip to the emergency room).  And do your best to avoid looking at the hair . . . I guess she pulled off that Disney wig in a hurry before stepping on the red carpet and did not have time to run a brush through her hair.  I do, however, love Georgina Chapman's backless dress.  The beaded fringe is amazing, and must be incredibly fun to wear - although I think I spy a case of horsehair braid resting on the floor which is doing strange things to the hemline.  Make it stop!!

It would seem that a lot of folks thought that grunge or goth was the dress code, and some choices were downright bizarre.  There were a lot of strange shoe choices as well as some really short hemlines.  I am not a fan.  I guess 90s grunge is back, but I wish I could un-see all of the combat boots on the red carpet.  Very few women can actually get away with the look.  Sarah Jessica is one of them.  She went with stilettos, but her outfit choice this year is still breaking my heart.

I did catch a glimpse of Dior's "Junon" gown in the museum exhibition as well as a Bar Suit.  So I guess I have misinterpreted the theme.  And thankfully, not everyone and their stylist went the tech route.

My absolute favorite of the evening is Nicole Kidman’s choice of Alexander McQueen.  Here is proof that cut-outs can be classy.  She looks gorgeous and incredibly elegant.  

I am not quite sure about the chain that holds the cape in place (I would have preferred that the piece attached directly to the dress at the shoulders).  And those two moon shapes at the midsection look slightly off - they would have looked much better at the waist, in my opinion, but other than that, I think this celestial confection is stunning!  I would definitely love to see this one up close!

A dress I would love to have in my closet is Bee Shaffer's gown with a train that goes on for days.  This one is also McQueen.  She looks like she belongs in a Pre-Raphaelite painting!

Zoe Saldana went with a Dolce & Gabbana gown with a significant train, but I think this one is trying too hard.  I am sure that all those feathers (I think that is what they are) look incredible in person, but it looks more like a floral arrangement trying to look like a dress than an actual dress to me.

This 1930s style Chanel is pretty fabulous.  I am not generally drawn to Karl Lagerfeld's design ethic (although I would love to be a fly on the wall in the couture atelier!), but I do love this.

I also find myself drawn to this Chanel as well.  What is happening to me?!  I hate the hair and the attitude, but I bet that dress is wonderful up close.  I love texture!

And here comes the prettiest robot you ever did see.  There were a lot of metallic choices which is obviously a play on the "Machina" theme.   Naomi Watts is wearing a pretty basic silhouette by Burberry that would normally bore me, but she looks beautiful, and I do like the floral texture on top of the chain mail base.  I am not sure I like the choice of earrings, though.

I actually prefer Gucci's liquid gold version of the strapless column dress on Sienna Miller to the silver on Naomi.  This one is bordering on gaudy, but she makes it work.  And I love the bow treatment on the bodice.  Maybe I am drawn to it because I can see Marilyn Monroe slinking around in something just like it.

Rose Byrne is also in liquid gold, but the form fitting shine makes her look dumpy, which I did not realize was possible.  The silhouette looks very classic 1930s Hollywood and I want to love it, but it is not very flattering.  Is it velvet or satin?  The shoes and clutch are not helping the ensemble, either.  And now that I am staring at it, I think that skirt ruffle needs to start at the waist instead of the hip - that might also help cut down on the shine across the stomach.  This might be incredible in a print . . . maybe floral or even an abstract geometric design.

This Proenza Schouler on Brie Larson also has possibilities (although by the look on her face, Brie might not agree).  I love the tiered ruffles in a heavy fabric encrusted with paillettes and the black tie; I actually thought this was Prada when I first saw it.  But the cutout at the waist would look better with a more extreme diagonal line, and perhaps a more scooped armhole, in my opinion.  The length is a bit unexpected, but I think it works.  I am also curious to know what is going on in the back.

And while it seems a bit informal for a red carpet, I adore this green dress.  I have no idea who Elizabeth Debicki is and I cannot find any mention of the designer, but the dress is lovely.  All it needs is a parasol and you have the perfect frock for a garden party.  Love those sleeves!

Which is a breath of fresh air after seeing this feathered monstrosity.  It looks like Bjork's swan dress went grey overnight and lost its sense of humor.  What on earth was Vera Wang thinking?!  

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