On a night when big stars were a dime a dozen, like George and Amal Clooney, Lady Gaga, Madonna and Cher, the pop star still managed to steal the show and conquer the red carpet at the Met Gala when she swooped in wearing a fur-trimmed yellow cape with floral swirls of gold and a train so long it required three wranglers.
The ensemble came with a little pink mini-dress underneath, and a sparkling tiara. In keeping with the evening’s theme China, and its artistic influence on the West the outfit was designed by Beijing-based designer Guo Pei, whose sumptuous designs are also on display in the current Met exhibit, “China: Through the Looking Glass.”
Deep, ruby reds, shimmery golds and other jewel tones dominated the colour scheme at the Gala as the multitudes of invited celebrities embraced this year’s China inspiration. There were sequins aplenty, and embroidery.
There were also a number of Chinese celebrities in attendance, perhaps chief among them actress Gong Li, who offered a girlish tilt of her head as she waved in a deep red velvet gown with black lace and a fan design.
One of the world’s most watched women, Amal Clooney, arrived on her husband’s arm in a tiered ruby-red gown by John Galliano.
All the stars were aware of a new ban Anna Wintour, Gala’s longtime head and Vogue editor, had placed on selfies inside. They seemed to be happy to go along with it.