It took this year’s incisive Met Gala theme of Superfine: Tailoring Black Style to save the event from becoming a step and repeat of Vogue editor Anna Wintour awkwardly smiling in a long coat, Rihanna arriving late and nude-illusion wardrobe malfunctions. Apart from a youthful and chic Nicole Kidman flaunting a short hairstyle (wig confirmation awaiting) in a recreation of a 1952 Balenciaga gown that scraped the theme’s surface by being black and tailored, most of the 450 guests did their homework.
The top 5 Met Gala best-dressed
- Gigi Hadid
Supermodel Gigi Hadid was an unlikely member of the Josephine Baker club, joining Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa in drawing inspiration from the civil rights activist and cabaret star.
Hadid’s gold dress from Miu Miu was similar to a gown worn by Baker for a 1951 photo shoot.
“It’s a celebration of Zelda Wynn Valdes, who was a fashion designer in the late ’40s, and she was trained by her uncle in his men’s tailoring shop and went on to open her own store in Washington Heights,” Hadid said on the red carpet.
Gigi Hadid in Miu Miu at the Met Gala.Credit: Getty Images
“The dress is a celebration of Zelda – this is a dress maybe she would have designed for me, combining both tailoring and glamour.”
2. Zendaya
With Rihanna due for another red carpet maternity leave, revealing her pregnancy in bump-hugging Marc Jacobs, it’s time for Dune actor Zendaya to be acknowledged as the Met Gala’s unofficial ambassador.
In a custom Louis Vuitton white suit, borrowing its silhouette from London tailor Tommy Nutter who dressed Bianca Jagger and Elton John in the ’70s, Zendaya was a modern-day Diana Ross.
Zendaya in Louis Vuitton at the Met Gala.Credit: AP
Rather than draw comparisons with Ross, making her first Met Gala appearance since 2003, Zendaya kept clear of the red carpet until the veteran singer’s photos had been taken. This took some time, with Ross requiring eight men to assist with her feather boa-trimmed cape.
3. Colman Domingo
The pressure was on Oscar nominee Colman Domingo, following a recent red carpet run that has shown a propensity for bold colours and masculine silhouettes infused with a queer sensibility.
Domingo arrived in a dramatic blue cape that paid tribute to the late Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley before revealing a snappy pearl-embellished check zoot suit jacket from Valentino, worn with a waistcoat and grey trousers.
Colman Domingo in Valentino at the Met Gala.Credit: AP
4. Madonna
The time has finally arrived for people to stop talking about Madonna’s face and take a closer look at her style.
In a cream suit by Tom Ford’s new creative director Haider Ackermann, Madonna exuded confidence that made her smouldering cigar unnecessary. White lace gloves were the only reminder of her Like a Virgin past.
Madonna in Tom Ford at the Met Gala.Credit: AP
5. Doja Cat
Singer Doja Cat redeemed herself from the 2022 Met Gala where she arrived dressed as Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette.
The Marc Jacobs animal print bodysuit with conical cups stood out by playing with ’80s imagery while Doja’s peers mined the ’20s and ’30s.
“I’ve never worn anything with such a special silhouette,” Doja Cat told Vogue. “And, thankfully, it’s the most comfortable thing I think I’ll ever wear to the Met Gala too!”
Doja Cat in Marc Jacobs at the Met Gala.Credit: AP
Honourable mentions
Sarah Snook
Fresh from earning her first Tony Award nomination for The Picture of Dorian Gray on Broadway, Australian actor Sarah Snook had a head start on this year’s theme.
In a tailored black satin coat, lined in red from sustainable label anOnlyChild, Snook could have been on stage. Brooches by Rahaminov Diamonds and Saidian Vintage Jewels added a feminine touch above satin tuxedo pants.
With a swish of her frock coat, Snook was able to leave the quiet luxury and basic brown suits of her Succession character Shiv Roy far behind her.
Sarah Snook, Sydney Sweeney in Miu Miu and Halle Berry in LaQuan Smith at the Met gala.Credit: AP
Sydney Sweeney
Actor Sydney Sweeney’s fitted Miu Miu dress with a circular cut-out at the chest and fringe detailing was about more than looking good.
Before taking to the red carpet, Sweeney posted an image to her Instagram account showing Kim Novak, star of Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo, in a similar gown.
Sweeney is set to play Novak, who rose to fame in the 1958 Hitchcock classic, in the directorial debut of Met Gala co-chair Colman Domingo. The movie Scandalous! explores Novak’s affair with Sammy Davis Jr.
See, history can be hot.
Halle Berry
Nude illusion dresses can be challenging, with Oscar winner Halle Berry facing an uphill battle in LaQuan Smith’s custom black-sequinned look with sheer panels.
Extra coverage was provided by a cropped black satin jacket and a pillbox hat with a veil. More was required. Much more. In motion the dress lost its sculptural appeal, offering unflattering angles.
Even Cher might have passed on this one, and it’s now clear that Madonna has moved on.
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