Met Costume Gala 2012: The Fashion Breakdown

On Monday, May 7th what has been dubbed the “Oscars of Fashion“, the 2012 Costume Institute Gala took place at the Temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. This year’s gala celebrates the lives of two fashion icons; Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada. The exhibition is called Impossible Conversations and opens to the public on May 10th.
 

 
The 2012 gala was attended by 800 guests and had the strongest showing of star power with the red carpet arrivals being streamed live. Gala co-chairs this year were actress Carey Mulligan, Designer Miuccia Prada, and Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour. All wore Prada to celebrate Miuccia and her accomplishments in the world of fashion.
 

Many celebrities walked the red carpet arm-in-arm with the designer they were wearing giving them a sartorial nod.  Some of my top picks for best dressed were Nina Dobrev in a stunning Donna Karan Atelier gown with a long flowing train, Jimmy Choo shoes, H. Stern jewelry, with a Judith Lieber clutch.  I would have to give a shout out to 25 year old Camilla Belle who sparkled in a low cut champagne colored dress and vintage jewels from the Ralph Lauren collection looking every bit old hollywood glamour. Another red carpet standout at the gala was Actress Kate Blanchett who chose an Alexander McQueen gown in a mermaid silhouette filled with black ostrich feathers.  Her sandals and skull clutch were McQueen and Van Cleef & Arpels jewels accessorized her look.
 

ad Men’s January Jones brightened up the red carpet in a canary yellow Versace gown with reflective accents and a statement necklace by Cartier jewels; Beyonce took a risk in a black sheer Givenchy couture gown with purple ombre feathers over a nude bodysuit and Supermodel Karolina Kurkova wore a slim fitted gown designed by Stylist Rachel Zoe with a matching turban.