JET’s Best Picks of MET Gala 2016

Manus ex Machina, or Men and Machine in English, is the theme of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Gala 2016 in New York.  Last year Chinese culture and fashion was chosen as the theme of the gala aptly titled “China: Through The Looking Glass”. Read JET’s coverage on the rise of Chinese fashion diplomacy in 2015 MET Gala (http://jetfashiondiplomacy.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/the-met-gala-and-chinese-fashion.html).

This year, the MET Gala is focusing on Fashion in an age of Technology. Gowns can no longer be beautiful per se but they have to got an added value which is innovative and technological. It reminds me a lot of Alicia Vikander in Ex Machina movie.

A mutant of handsome suit with armor dress worn by Zayn Malik, ex member of One Direction, is a testament of Donatella Versace’s creative works. Hermione, oops I mean, the pretty Emma Watson from Harry Potter movies appeared in a gown by Calvin Klein which is crafted from ecological material.

The gala is the gong of the event that also includes months long exhibition in line with the theme. A series of case studies featured vibrantly to unravel the realities and mythologies of the hand/machine conundrum.

The Fashion Oscar is the name given to the MET Gala since the soiree attracts the world’s most influential designers with celebrities. From year to year, designers would be heading the red-carpeted staircases of the Gala with their celebrity muses walking next to them. Stylish couples are not the only ones who dominated the red carpet this year, such as Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid, as there are also fashionable siblings such as Willow and Jaden Smith (children of Will Smith) and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.

Aside from serving as one of the much awaited and highly publicized fashion events in US, the Gala stands as a testimony of a successful collaboration between Vogue US, headed by the formidable Ms Anna Wintour, with MET Museum, Apple, and a couple of influential celebrities such as Idris Elba and Taylor Swift.

Most of the creations, including the quirky and whimsical, which are worn by the celebrities in the soiree would be sold out within minutes online and offline. So yes these celebrities serving as the catalyst of the trendiest fashion items.

Further, MET is also the place for internationally acclaimed designers to show and promote their strong influences in fashion. There is a designer who takes pride of the fact that his or her creations are worn by several celebrities, such as Gucci (worn by 9 celebrities) and Calvin Klein (worn by 8 celebrities). There is also a designer whose creation is probably only worn by one celebrity yet since the gown is crafted in line with the Gala’s theme, consequently it reaped public attention, such as Zac Posen with his glow-in-the-dark gown for Claire Danes and Marchesa’s 150 LED lights applied with IBM Watson technology worn by Karolina Kurkova.

Now, JET has hand-picked several looks representing the elegant women and dapper men from Hollywood. But the fashion fiesta does not stop there. Figures from two competing political dynasties, namely the Clintons and the Trumps, representing Republican and Democratic parties show off their fancy frocks alongside European centuries old royalty and American Rock n Roll granddaughter. There are also some looks which are rather quirky than elegant, however I must admit that even the most whimsical dresses would garner media attention.

Again, there is no such thing as a bad publication, if it serves the purpose of fame, n’est-ce pas?

Share JET’s exciting fashion adventures in his Instagram (@JETJAKARTA) and Facebook Page (JET’s Fashion Diplomacy).

Ps. Catatan Kecil untuk Sahabats Desainers dan Rekans Fashionista:

Di balik hingar binger dan kerlap kerlip MET Gala, terdapat kerja keras dan dedikasi dari seluruh pendukung acara tersebut. Sebut saja Vogue Amerika yang dipimpin oleh Anna Wintour. Setiap tahun Ms Wintour menjadi Co-Chair MET Gala tahunan bersama dengan tokoh-tokoh dunia yang berkaitan dengan industri mode, seperti Chief Design Officer Apple, Mr Jonathan Ive dan diva kondang, Taylor Swift. Persiapan MET Gala dan Pameran memakan waktu berbulan-bulan dari tim Museum Metropolitan dan Vogue AS. Sementara itu, para desainer kaliber dunia dan para selebriti juga perlu bekerjasama secara intensif untuk merealisasikan busana adi unggul yang akan dikenakan. Seluruh elemen busana adi unggul seperti teknik bordir, renda, kulit, bulu dipadukan dengan proses inovatif seperti cetak tiga dimensi (3D), model digital dan laser cutting guna menampilkan image ‘Manus ex Machina’. Indonesia bukan saja suatu Negara yang kaya dengan warisan budaya bangsa, termasuk aneka kain Nusantara, namun juga dengan kreativitas tiada akhir para pelaku industri fesyen, termasuk perancang. Karya perancang kita tidak kalah dari karya perancang internasional. Publisitas skala Vogue AS dan Met Gala adalah salah satu kunci untuk mendongkrak popularitas perancang lokal dan karya mereka. Untuk itu, mari kita bekerjasama untuk mendorong karya terbaik dari pelaku industri mode Tanah Air. Sebagaimana tulisan JET mengenai MET 2015, bukan tidak mungkin suatu saat kita dapat bekerjasama dengan Museum MET dan Vogue As menampilkan MET Gala dengan tema “Indonesian Batik”. Betapa bangganya kita melihat seorang selebriti Indonesia, seperti Dian Sastrowardoyo mengenakan busana karya Edward Hutabarat dan Dion Wiyoko memakai jas Batik karya Era Sukamto untuk Iwan Tirta pada red carpet Museum MET. Indonesian fashionista, let’s stand united and work together to make our dreams come true!

Elegant Leading Ladies

A diamond should shines bright even in darkness!

Zac Posen made a dress for Claire Danes made of fiber optic woven organza with mini battery packs sewn into the gown’s under-structure. See how the gown lights up in the dark.

Karolina Kurkova in a data-driven Marchesa couture dress which is designed with IBM Watson technology— a cognitive computer system that uses language processing to analyze data and answer questions.

The tulle dress, complete with floral appliqués and 150 LED lights that change color in response to the mood of Twitter users' conversations surrounding the event. Talking about mood changing dress J

Butterfly is perfect for the loveliest Bee!

The lovely Bee Shaffer, aka the daughter of the reigning Queen of Fashion (Ms Anna Wintour), in Alexander McQueen’s gown with her famous Mom in Chanel Haute Couture by Karl Lagerfeld.

Majestic Valentino!

Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan in Valentino gown

Laser cut gown meets amazing body!

Kendall Jenner in body-hugging-and-showing Atelier Versace by Donatella Versace.

Ethereal Emma Watson in an ecological Calvin Klein’s gown which is made from recycled plastic bottle.

3 B’s of MET Gala: Beautiful Blake (Lively) in Burberry

Queen Bee only wears G!

Beyonce in Givenchy Haute Couture

Virgin Queen style from Lily Rose Depp in Chanel Haute Couture

Zendaya wears asymmetrical modern dress by Michael Kors Collection with the designer

Va va voom Lorde in Valentino dress

Only Nicole Kidman can rock this long sheer cape and manage to look this excellent!

The dashing Ms Naomi Campbell in Roberto Cavalli couture

Lara Stone revokes the 50s bombshell of Brigitte Bardot and Marilyn Monroe in Tom Ford’s gown

Truly stylish Taylor Swift in Louis Vuitton

Dapper Gentlemen

Zayn Malik rocks the hybrid of classy jacket and armor suit from Versace.

Rock Star style is revived by Jared Leto in Gucci by Alessandro Michele

Blue for the brave boy! Look at Nick Jonas in Topman

Match your double-breasted suit with your bow tie! Follow F1 racer Lewis Hamilton’s style in Dolce and Gabbana and that glittery Louboutin’s shoes.

No tie is needed! The it model Sean O’Pry in Balmain by Olivier Rousteing

Fashionable Couple

First Red Carpet for these Lovebirds:

Zayn Malik in Versace by Donatella Versace and Gigi Hadid in Tommy Hilfiger’s dress

Another amazing Hadid’s sister and her beau:

The Weeknd in Givenchy and Bella Hadid in Givenchy Haute Couture

FKA Twigs in Atelier Versace by Donatella Versace and Robert Pattinson in Dior Homme

Designer and muse: Alessandro Michele and Florence Welch both in Gucci by Alessandro Michele

Stylish siblings: Jaden Smith in Louis Vuitton and Willow Smith in Chanel

Model bro and sis: Lucky Blue Smith and Pyper America Smith in custom H&M.

Quirky and Whimsical Yet Stand-Out Ensemble

Madonna in a sheer gown by Givenchy Haute Couture and its designer, Riccardo Tisci.

Lady Gaga in Atelier Versace

Solange Knowles in a chips-look-alike yellow dress by David Laport

Lupita Nyong’o features Marge Simpson hair style in a Calvin Klein Collection dress

Nicki Minaj in belts gown by Moschino

Dakota Johnson in Stars Gown by Alessandro Michele for Gucci

Kerry Washington, or the legendary Olivia Pope in “Scandal”, in Marc Jacobs

Carrie Bradshaw, oops Sarah Jessica Parker always knows how to make a statement on the red carpet

European and American Royalties

Charlotte Casiraghi, the granddaughter of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier/niece of the reigning Prince Albert II of Monaco, in Gucci

Riley Keogh, the granddaughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley/daughter of Lisa Marie Presley.

Powerful Political Players

Ivanka Trump, daughter of the potential Republican Presidential Candidate,  Mr Donald Trump.

Lauren Bush Lauren, granddaughter of President George Bush Sr and daughter-in-law of Ralph Lauren, in her father-in-law’s designed dress.

Huma Abedin, Vice Chair for Hillary Clinton’s Presidential Campaign and former Deputy Chief of Staff to the former Secretary of State, in a sequined gown by Altuzzara.

Super Dressy Squad

Le Louis dresses up to the nines.

Louis Vuitton, led by its creative director Nicolas Ghesquiere, is worn by twelve most notable celebrities, from Alicia Vikander, the Ex Machina actress, to Oscar winner Michelle Williams and Jennifer Connelly as well as Jaden Smith, the young son of Will Smith.

Glorious Gucci Glam Gank

Gucci by Alessandro Michele leads the stylish squad as their ensemble are worn by nine famous celebrities, including the graceful Charlotte Casiraghi and the dapper Hamish Bowles, charming Sienna Miller, bold Jared Leto, unique Florence Welch and Will I Am.

The supa cool CK-ers

Calvin Klein is the choice of wear of eight celebrities attending the Gala, including Lupita Nyong’O and Emma Watson.

Michael Kors’ sexy and modern attire are featured by seven celebrities, from Zendaya to Emily Blunt and Olivia Wilde and so on.

H&M created unique signature dresses and dinner jackets for seven creative people, including the angelic voiced Jennifer Hudson, Super Model Amber Valetta, and the Model siblings Lucky Blue Smith and Pyper America Smith.

Prada please for us!

The brand led by Miuccia Prada is the preferably option of dressing to these five Hollywood including Orlando Bloom, Jessica Chastain and the roaring diva Katy Perry.

Zzzz.. Zegna for classy men!

These five men, including Paul Rudd and sure knows how to mesmerize in Ermenegildo Zegna.

Bravo Blake Lively for wearing Burberry, along with other four famous fashion names, including Mario Testino the amazing photographer.

Very Versace is the look adorned by these party people!

Very much in line with the theme of the Gala, Donattela Versace crafted Atelier Versace’s gowns for these fantastic five, including Zayn Malik, Kendall Jenner, Kate Hudson, FKA Twigs and Lady Gaga.

Glam a la Givenchy!

“Queen Bee” Beyonce looks regal and smoking in Givency Haute Couture gowns by Riccardo Tisci, together with beautiful Bella Hadid and 2 other figures.

The name is Ford, Tom Ford!

You can rely on Tom Ford to achieve these fab four looks, Lara Stone, Bradley Cooper, Idris Elba and the designer himself.

Clap your hands for Cavalli!

Naomi Campbell, Andrea Diddy, Vanessa Axente with the designer of Cavalli, Peter Dundas.

Only McQueen matches their fashion desire!

Alexander McQueen is worn by these elegant three namely Bee Shaffer, Nicole Kidman and Jack Huston.

Uber funky Moschino…

Moschino’s unusual-yet-turning-heads outfits are worn by Nicki Minaj and Demi Lovato and its own designer Jeremy Scott.

Count on Marc to display these sparkles!

Marc Jacobs’s glittery gowns as worn by Bette Midler and Jamie Bochert.

Photos source: Vogue US, Racked, Just Jared, Style

#JETFashionDiplomacy

#METGala

#MetropolitanMuseumofArt

#NewYork

#Fashion

#Celebrities