• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
The Cut
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
Style
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Shopping
  • Design Hunting
  • New York Weddings
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • Motherhood
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Science of Us
  • Horoscopes
  • Ask Polly
Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
More
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • The Cut Shop
  • nymag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
superlatives
May 4, 2015

The Best, Worst, and Most Rihanna Looks at the Met Gala

By Véronique Hyland

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
Photo: Getty Images

It can be hard, in the moment of red-carpet jockeying, to remember that the Met Gala is not in fact an awards show, but a fund-raiser for a museum. The pressure is on to show that you are X designer’s muse, that you wore a fresh-off-the-runway (or better, custom) design, and that you can pull off a headdress whose weight falls squarely in the double digits — without toppling down the red carpet. It makes the Oscars look like child’s play, frankly.

Whether they went for feathers, shimmering gold hoodies, or pajamas, the competition was all over the place. Click through the slideshow to see our picks for the best, worst, and most “meh-ball” looks of the night.

View
1 / 27 Photos
Dress So Good It Didn't Need a Red Carpet: Beyoncé Never one to do things traditionally, Beyoncé premiered her sparkly opal Stone &... Dress So Good It Didn't Need a Red Carpet: Beyoncé Never one to do things traditionally, Beyoncé premiered her sparkly opal Stone "naked dress" and towering "I Dream of Jeannie" ponytail on Instagram first, making the red carpet debut seem like an afterthought.  Photo: 2015 FilmMagic
Theme-iest Head: Sarah Jessica Parker Like a moth to a flaming headdress, SJP cannot resist a chance to call attention to her head and be on them... Theme-iest Head: Sarah Jessica Parker Like a moth to a flaming headdress, SJP cannot resist a chance to call attention to her head and be on theme. She did that faux-hawk at the punk-themed edition of this event two years ago, wore a tesseract-shaped creation to a casual luncheon, and has been known to sport Minnie Mouse ears on the step-and-repeat. Photo: 2015 FilmMagic
Best Red-Carpet-to-Tarmac Look: Grace Coddington Classy, and FIRST-CLASS, the Vogue creative director told us she was wearing her comfy pj's-and-... Best Red-Carpet-to-Tarmac Look: Grace Coddington Classy, and FIRST-CLASS, the Vogue creative director told us she was wearing her comfy pj's-and-flats Michael Kors ensemble because she had to catch a flight immediately after cocktails. You could do worse in terms of airport dressing. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
Pinkest: Kerry Washington It's understandable that after years of playing Olivia Pope — a woman who's practically in a long-term relationship wit... Pinkest: Kerry Washington It's understandable that after years of playing Olivia Pope — a woman who's practically in a long-term relationship with neutrals — Washington would lean toward all things feminine. This Prada confection is just that: as pretty and feminine as it gets. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
Freshest-Off-the-Runway: Amal Clooney, Wendi Deng, and Kim Kardashian If you really want to pull the ultimate status move, try plucking a look fr... Freshest-Off-the-Runway: Amal Clooney, Wendi Deng, and Kim Kardashian If you really want to pull the ultimate status move, try plucking a look from a designer's debut collection. Amal Clooney (in John Galliano for Maison Margiela), Wendi Deng (in Peter Copping–designed Oscar de la Renta), and Kim Kardashian (in Peter Dundas's first look for Roberto Cavalli) have the red-carpet news factor on lock. Photo: Getty Images
Most "Meh" Ball: Kate Hudson, Allison Williams, Hailee Steinfeld Oscar-statuette gold and unadorned red (because CHINA!) don't make for... Most "Meh" Ball: Kate Hudson, Allison Williams, Hailee Steinfeld Oscar-statuette gold and unadorned red (because CHINA!) don't make for the most transporting gala looks, especially when there's a whole playground of exciting fashion to draw on. All of these women look pretty but have the potential to be much more daring. Photo: Getty Images
Best Take on a Tricky Trend: Diane Kruger Sheer pants are no walk in the park, but Diane Kruger, in Chanel couture, nailed the landing. Photo: 2... Best Take on a Tricky Trend: Diane Kruger Sheer pants are no walk in the park, but Diane Kruger, in Chanel couture, nailed the landing. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
Best Dressed for 2013's Punk Rut: Miley Cyrus and Dree Hemingway This is one way to ignore a theme and, yet, not. Photo: Getty Images
Worst Pun: Poppy Delevingne Though she looks pretty enough, having to listen to a socialite make jokes about opium and her own name all night wou... Worst Pun: Poppy Delevingne Though she looks pretty enough, having to listen to a socialite make jokes about opium and her own name all night would surely not delight her seatmates. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
Most Dolce & Gabbana: Brie Larson, Courtney Eaton, and Annabelle Wallis They may never be royals, but this trio repped the designers' take on... Most Dolce & Gabbana: Brie Larson, Courtney Eaton, and Annabelle Wallis They may never be royals, but this trio repped the designers' take on infanta chic with their crowned, gilded looks. On theme? No. Memorable? Yes, especially when they're clumped together in a holy triumvirate. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
Best Anna Wintour Sleeves: Anna Wintour After she ensconced herself in a Chanel shell at the 2008 gala, we should have known Wintour's love affai... Best Anna Wintour Sleeves: Anna Wintour After she ensconced herself in a Chanel shell at the 2008 gala, we should have known Wintour's love affair with shoulders was far from over. This look, also Chanel, sported a built-in exoskeleton. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
Goin' for It Award: Tabitha Simmons There's something to be said for committing, and Simmons took that directive very seriously. We feel bad for ... Goin' for It Award: Tabitha Simmons There's something to be said for committing, and Simmons took that directive very seriously. We feel bad for whoever had to sit behind her at dinner — though mostly because they couldn't Instagram it. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
Best Old Hollywood Inspiration: Lizzy Caplan Lizzy Caplan looks great in real life, but there's some kind of alchemy that happens when she steps ... Best Old Hollywood Inspiration: Lizzy Caplan Lizzy Caplan looks great in real life, but there's some kind of alchemy that happens when she steps onto the red carpet. She looks positively stately in this '30s-style Donna Karan. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
Lushest Plumage: Keri Russell When everyone else was opting for sequins and embroidery, Russell swerved left with a feathery gown by Altuzarra th... Lushest Plumage: Keri Russell When everyone else was opting for sequins and embroidery, Russell swerved left with a feathery gown by Altuzarra that must have been even more gorgeous up close — those gradations of color! Photo: 2015 Getty Images
Most Kris Jenner in the '80s: Kris Jenner Heavy contouring, clavicle-skimming earrings, and agressive shoulders give her a dated feel. It may be ... Most Kris Jenner in the '80s: Kris Jenner Heavy contouring, clavicle-skimming earrings, and agressive shoulders give her a dated feel. It may be an improvement over her "Amish" look, but not by much. Photo: 2015 FilmMagic
Best May the Fourth Inspiration: Solange Knowles We're not exactly sure what's happening with this Giles Deacon ... UFO? ... but if anyone is goi... Best May the Fourth Inspiration: Solange Knowles We're not exactly sure what's happening with this Giles Deacon ... UFO? ... but if anyone is going to take their cues from a galaxy far, far away, it should be Solange, because she can truly do no wrong. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
Worst May the Fourth Inspiration: Anne Hathaway Even George Lucas is mystified.
Most Appreciated Ghesquière Moment: Jennifer Connelly Just when the red carpet was beginning to feel like a sequined desert, there came an... Most Appreciated Ghesquière Moment: Jennifer Connelly Just when the red carpet was beginning to feel like a sequined desert, there came an oasis in the form of Jennifer Connelly, wearing a Louis Vuitton design. One look at this and you can see why she's Nicolas's muse. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
Worst Milkmaid: Selena Gomez We're striving to think of the occasion that might call for a mix of suspenders, a flower crown, and a white gown. A... Worst Milkmaid: Selena Gomez We're striving to think of the occasion that might call for a mix of suspenders, a flower crown, and a white gown. A farm-themed wedding at Coachella, maybe? Photo: 2015 Getty Images
Best Date: Taraji P. Henson The only person who loves Cookie more than the Cut staff must be A. Wang. The designer doesn't just have good taste i... Best Date: Taraji P. Henson The only person who loves Cookie more than the Cut staff must be A. Wang. The designer doesn't just have good taste in pop culture; he enlisted the Empire star as his plus-one. Photo: 2015 FilmMagic
Most Adventurous Tux: Miguel Snaps to Miguel for eschewing the male dress code of "Chinese white tie" and showing up in a red Michael K... Most Adventurous Tux: Miguel Snaps to Miguel for eschewing the male dress code of "Chinese white tie" and showing up in a red Michael Kors suit. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
Most '90s Minimalist: Constance Jablonski Here's a way to channel the theme that is the furthest thing possible from gaudy. Jablonski's two-piece... Most '90s Minimalist: Constance Jablonski Here's a way to channel the theme that is the furthest thing possible from gaudy. Jablonski's two-piece pants look is the ultimate cool-girl move. And those shoes actually look comfortable — how often does that phrase come up at the Met Gala? Photo: 2015 Getty Images
Ever-Unchanging: The Olsens The Olsens see your red and gold finery and raise you a Morticia mirror moment. Never change, ladies. Never change.
Smoothest Recovery: Kendall Jenner Despite sustaining an attack-by-drone last week, the model looks unscathed in a green Calvin Klein Collection ... Smoothest Recovery: Kendall Jenner Despite sustaining an attack-by-drone last week, the model looks unscathed in a green Calvin Klein Collection column — which seems to fit her just as snugly as her Calvins. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
Dragon-est: Justin Bieber Congrats, Justin, for exactly meeting our expectations for you, as always. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
Handsiest: FKA Twigs How would Twigs outdo her winged rainbow McQueen? With a wonderfully racy dress from Christopher Kane's latest collection th... Handsiest: FKA Twigs How would Twigs outdo her winged rainbow McQueen? With a wonderfully racy dress from Christopher Kane's latest collection that diplayed visible penis. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
Most Red-Carpet-Clearing: Rihanna Nothing says "make way" like a canary-yellow mass of fabric that requires multiple PTHs (personal tra... Most Red-Carpet-Clearing: Rihanna Nothing says "make way" like a canary-yellow mass of fabric that requires multiple PTHs (personal train handlers.) Extra points for wearing the work of emerging Chinese designer Guo Pei, and for being the person to inspire the most memes. (Pizza!) Photo: 2015 Getty Images
1 / 27

Tags:

  • met gala 2015
  • met ball
  • superlatives
  • fashions
  • fame
  • rihanna
  • jennifer connelly
  • louis vuitton
  • miley cyrus
  • dree hemingway
  • grace coddington
  • sarah jessica parker
  • solange knowles
  • diane kruger
  • lizzy caplan
  • allison williams
  • hailee steinfeld
  • wendi deng
  • peter copping
  • oscar de la renta
  • kim kardashian
  • amal clooney
  • More

More Galleries

in memoriam Dec. 30, 2020
30 Incredible Fashion Moments From Pierre Cardin  Remembering a creative visionary. 
By Andrew Nguyen
rest in power Dec. 23, 2020
A Photo Memorial for an Iconic Model  She passed away suddenly at the age of 50 this week. 
campaign trail Nov. 18, 2020
‘Tis the Season for New Fashion Ads  See the best ones from Gucci, Prada, Versace, and more. 
By Emily Burns
nyfw spring 2021 Oct. 26, 2020
How a Great Collection Comes Alive  Christopher John Rogers launched its first-ever online shop, along with a new campaign. 
By Andrew Nguyen
campaign trail Sept. 24, 2020
See the Fashion Campaigns for Fall 2020  From Prada, Michael Kors, Celine, Louis Vuitton, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
nyfw spring 2021 Sept. 22, 2020
See the Coach Spring 2021 Collection  Worn by Megan Thee Stallion, Kate Moss, Cole Sprouse, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
fashion Sept. 16, 2020
The Stunning Awkwardness of Face Masks on the Red Carpet  Celebrities tried to make the best of a strange situation at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. 
one word one shot Sept. 15, 2020
72 Designers on Their Spring/Summer Inspirations  Just in time for Fashion Week. 
By the Cut
red carpet Sept. 8, 2020
This Red Carpet Was Totally Surreal  But also amazing. See all the looks at the Venice Film Festival. 
By Emilia Petrarca and Andrew Nguyen
in memoriam Aug. 31, 2020
Remembering Chadwick Boseman on the Red Carpet  His style was bold, risk-taking, and always impeccable. 
the wedding files Aug. 21, 2020
The Design-Minded Couple Who Didn’t Want to Try Too Hard  The bride got a wonderful surprise the morning of her wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 14, 2020
A Costa Rica Wedding During the Rainy Season  Thunder roared during the toasts. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 7, 2020
A San Francisco Wedding at a Big, Empty Pier  The bride changed into crushed-velvet pants for the disco-infused reception. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 31, 2020
An Elopement Among the Lupines in Iceland  The late afternoon was spent snapping photos near waterfalls and black beaches. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 24, 2020
A Pennsylvania Potluck for 280 People  “I looked at her for the first time and had this feeling like, You. I know you.” 
By Kaitlin Menza
milan fashion week July 22, 2020
Behind the Scenes at Gucci’s Virtual Show  Instead of models, members of the design team sported the eccentric collection. 
By Andrew Nguyen
the wedding files July 17, 2020
A Dance Party Under Puerto Rican Palm Trees  Bad Bunny blasted and pitorro flowed. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 10, 2020
A Zoom Wedding Only Two Digital Creatives Could Produce  The couple coordinated multiple video segments, breakout rooms, and a dance party. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 3, 2020
The Anti-Spectacle Wedding That Turned Into a Spectacle  Brooklyn Bridge Park was the site of their first date, proposal, and wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files June 26, 2020
A Night at the Philadelphia Museum of Art  The flowers were specially treated to protect the masterpieces. 
By Kaitlin Menza
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Help
  • We’re Hiring
  • Press
  • Trademark
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell My Info
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2021 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.