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red carpet derby
May 1, 2017

The Best, Worst, and Most Comme des Garçons Looks at the 2017 Met Gala

By Véronique Hyland

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Photo: Getty Images

With its vague stipulation that attendees dress “avant-garde,” this year’s Comme des Garçons–themed Met Gala had attendees’ work cut out for them. But it seems that many of the guests missed our CliffsNotes on the Costume Institute’s Rei Kawakubo retrospective — some just interpreted the theme as “red,” while others ignored it entirely.

At least there were a few stalwarts who Went For It, theme-wise, like Katy Perry in over-the-top Maison Margiela and Solange Knowles in a Thom Browne parka-as-gown. There were even a few people who wore bona fide CDG, including Rihanna — easily the best-dressed of the night — plus Tracee Ellis Ross, Michèle Lamy, Caroline Kennedy, Pharrell Williams, and Helen Lasichanh. Click through the slideshow to see some of the hits and misses of fashion’s weirdest night.

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1 / 22 Photos
Best at Everything: Rihanna Props for (a) wearing CDG and (b) pulling off a look mere mortals could not. Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Goin' for It: Katy Perry in Maison Margiela As one of the event's co-hosts, KP was honor-bound to make an effort, and she did, in a blood-red ens... Goin' for It: Katy Perry in Maison Margiela As one of the event's co-hosts, KP was honor-bound to make an effort, and she did, in a blood-red ensemble with a veil that vaguely resembles the look she wore on the cover of this month's Vogue. (And squeezes in some album promo at the same time.) Remember, she's androgynous, architectural, and political now. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
Most Oblivious: Gisele, in Stella McCartney, and Some Football Player, in Tom Ford If it's not a deflated football or a shiny cutout gown, these ... Most Oblivious: Gisele, in Stella McCartney, and Some Football Player, in Tom Ford If it's not a deflated football or a shiny cutout gown, these two don't want to know about it! Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Best Red Leg: Lily Aldridge in Ralph Lauren The competition was fierce, but she triumphed over them all. Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Best Blue Leg: Salma Hayek in Balenciaga Another crowded field, but she did it. Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Most Deranged: Celine Dion in Versace DIY-challenge avant-garde. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
Best CDG Couple: Pharrell Williams and Helen Lasichanh in Comme des Garçons Lasichanh really committed to this arm-imprisoning look. Phot... Best CDG Couple: Pharrell Williams and Helen Lasichanh in Comme des Garçons Lasichanh really committed to this arm-imprisoning look. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
Most "Biz Cazh" Interpretation of "Avant-Garde": Claire Danes in Monse A look that takes you from the photocopier straight to... Most "Biz Cazh" Interpretation of "Avant-Garde": Claire Danes in Monse A look that takes you from the photocopier straight to the conceptual art exhibit. Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Most Dadaist Hair Moment: Jaden Smith He carried his own hair to the gala, because ... Jaden Smith. Rei would probably approve of the absurdity. ... Most Dadaist Hair Moment: Jaden Smith He carried his own hair to the gala, because ... Jaden Smith. Rei would probably approve of the absurdity. Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Most Room-Clearing Train: Priyanka Chopra in Ralph Lauren If Carmen Sandiego needed to hide a few henchmen in her outfit. Photo: John Shearer/Ge... Most Room-Clearing Train: Priyanka Chopra in Ralph Lauren If Carmen Sandiego needed to hide a few henchmen in her outfit. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
Best Blue Witchery: Tracee Ellis Ross in Comme des Garçons Blue heart emoji all around. Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Most Winter-Ready: Solange Knowles in Thom Browne Climate change be damned. (Yep, those are figure-skate shoes.) Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Im... Most Winter-Ready: Solange Knowles in Thom Browne Climate change be damned. (Yep, those are figure-skate shoes.) Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Best Gingham Moment: Lena Dunham in Elizabeth Kennedy Props for paying tribute to the Body Meets Dress — Dress Meets Body era. Photo: Dimit... Best Gingham Moment: Lena Dunham in Elizabeth Kennedy Props for paying tribute to the Body Meets Dress — Dress Meets Body era. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Worst Rei Homage: Nicki Minaj in H&M Sorry, but strapping Kawakubo's face to a bodysuit does not a tribute make. Photo: Neilson Barnard/Gett... Worst Rei Homage: Nicki Minaj in H&M Sorry, but strapping Kawakubo's face to a bodysuit does not a tribute make. Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Most Paramilitary Formalwear: Madonna Rather than flouting the theme, she's openly declaring war on it. Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Ooh, Shiny!: Cara Delevingne in Chanel Her slicked-down silver hair is a nice tribute to the bathing-cap-like styles of the 2-D collection, but t... Ooh, Shiny!: Cara Delevingne in Chanel Her slicked-down silver hair is a nice tribute to the bathing-cap-like styles of the 2-D collection, but the sparkling silver suit is what we can't take our eyes off of. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
Most Overwrought: Chrissy Teigen in Marchesa A blizzard of confusion. Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Bad Unitard Hall of Fame: Bella Hadid in Alexander Wang Remember: There's only one Cher. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
Lil Yachty An unholy mash-up of Fred Astaire, Mr. Peanut and the uncle from Monopoly. Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage
Best Twin Coordination, Girl Twin Edition: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen The two emptied their vintage trove for this one. Photo: Neilson Barnard/G... Best Twin Coordination, Girl Twin Edition: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen The two emptied their vintage trove for this one. Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Best Twin Coordination, Boy Twin Edition: The Winklevii "A blue smoking jacket isn't cool. You know what's cool? A PAISLEY smoking jacket.&q... Best Twin Coordination, Boy Twin Edition: The Winklevii "A blue smoking jacket isn't cool. You know what's cool? A PAISLEY smoking jacket." Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage
Sleepiest: Kim Kardashian in Vivienne Westwood Her nightgown-like dress missed the mark. And with that, we're signing off and going to bed. Phot... Sleepiest: Kim Kardashian in Vivienne Westwood Her nightgown-like dress missed the mark. And with that, we're signing off and going to bed. Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
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