On Garbo and the Met Ball

If you've been anywhere near Twitter or the web in general over the past 24 hours, you're probably aware that the Costume Institute Gala took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art last night. The star-studded event is one of the most exciting evenings of the year for fashion-philes like myself, and this year, for the first time ever, viewers were treated to a red carpet live stream via Vogue.com. (Now, if only the paparazzi had a mute button - those who were watching will know what I mean). Below are some of my personal favourites - both overall looks and just the gowns themselves.

Also, on a probably irrelevant note: While the stars of this year's exhibit (and the focus on the red carpet) are Miuccia Prada and Elsa Schiaparelli, one of my personal style icons kept coming into mind: the one and only Greta Garbo. Continue reading to see why.

Safe to say I'm not alone in my recent obsession with orange. When done right, it's strikingly fresh and unexpectedly flattering, and is perfect paired with nudes and bright whites. See Exhibit A above: Eva Mendes in Prada and Ginnifer Goodwin (whose shoes I would personally have swapped for a pair of winter white pointed-toe stilettos) in custom Monique Lhuillier.

Honourable mention goes to Kristen Wiig for her heavenly Stella McCartney. Once again, not personally a fan of the accessories here, but Stella can do no wrong.

I always say I'm a huge fan of colour - when it's worn well, and only when it's worn well. Last night saw no shortage of electric hues, but Coco and Solange really hit the nail over the head. Can't say I'm in love with the pink hair here, but A) she's sporting Givenchy, a perennial favourite, and B) it's vintage (!). On a slightly more demure note, Solange's Rachel Roy gown... do I even need to explain?

Dying to find a full-length photo of Arizona's look by genius (and fellow Ryerson alum) Erdem Moralioglu. I'm also a sucker for a good floral and, from what I can see here, this may very well win my #1 best dressed vote.

Not surprisingly, Anna* and Grace both looked brilliant in Prada...

...as did Cate and MK** in their not-so-little black dresses by McQueen and The Row, respectively. I could go on for hours about how in love I am with the fit and drape of Mary-Kate's dress, but suffice to say it'll be haunting my dreams until further notice. Oh, and she's the queen of accessorizing, but you knew that.

I was a bit heartbroken that we didn't see more exciting looks from the boys this year, save for Hamish (looking dapper as per usual) and Marc, who I have yet to find decent photographic evidence of. Don't get me wrong, I love a well-tailored tux (it's a known fact that they're to women what lingerie is to men), but I also love a risk-taker. So thank you, Marc and Mr. Bowles, for raising the bar yet again.

(On a side note, how perfect are Lena Dunham's Stella McCartney kicks?)

Rooney Mara and Kate Bosworth, in custom Givenchy and custom Prada, respectively, are also my beauty favourites of the night. Refined, simple, elegant. Rooney, as per usual, is the spitting image of Audrey Hepburn, while Kate's braided top knot simply (pun intended) couldn't have been better.

And finally, last but not least, these lovely ladies would have made both Schiaparelli and Garbo proud. 

Only Karolina Kurkova could pull off this Rachel Zoe look and still look absolutely, drop-dead gorgeous. Huge kudos to Zoe for sending this down the red carpet. Iconic, timeless, and just crazy enough - bravo, Rachel.

I'm desperately trying to cook up a scheme to steal Lana Del Ray's Joseph Altuzarra dress right off her back. Looking like a human disco ball is usually a good thing, right? Kudos to Linda Fargo as well; her Naeem Khan cape was by far the most unexpected (and under-appreciated) look from the carpet.

Oh, and one last thing: I have to point out the similarity here... 

Garbo circa 1931 versus Bianca Brandolini D’Adda in Dolce & Gabanna circa 2012. Who wore it best?

*This is the first time in 6 years she hasn't worn Chanel to the gala. Wish I could say the same about myself but, alas, I'll keep dreaming. Her Miuccia-designed look is an homage to Schiaparelli's famous lobster dress.

**Sadly, Ashley appeared to be MIA last night.

ps. The above post is solely the opinion of Chelsea at PaperCollective.