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Met Gala 2012: Red Carpet Highlights

Sarah Ledesma |
May 8, 2012 | 11:08 a.m. PDT

Staff Writer

Carrey Mulligan in Prada (photo screen shot by Sarah Ledesma)
Carrey Mulligan in Prada (photo screen shot by Sarah Ledesma)
Last night, the major players of Hollywood and the fashion elite converged upon New York City's high holy fashion event known by those in the know as the Met Gala. Formally known as the Costume Institute Gala, patrons of the arts in attendance consider the event as an equivalent to the “fashion’s Oscars” where only the highest discerning of taste is allowed admittance. 

Fortunately for those of us with a more shallow bank balance, for the first time ever, the event was streamed live courtesy of Vogue.com. It was a successful fashion-forward first that created an omnipresent exposure for the art benefit of the year.  This year’s event theme was “Shiaparelli And Prada: Impossible Conversations”. The event was chaired by Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon, and co-chaired by Miuccia Prada, Anna Wintour and Hollywood’s newest sweetheart Carey Mulligan. 

Carey Mulligan set jaws a-dropping as she swept in as one of the first of the evening wearing a custom made Prada gown.  The dress was a gilded fish scale sequined dress in gold and silver that gave a glow to the recent newlywed.  The actress showed her appreciation during the red carpet interview remarking, “I’m really honored to be wearing it.”    

Lana Del Rey and Joseph Altuzaara
Lana Del Rey and Joseph Altuzaara
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel (photo screenshot by Sarah Ledesma)
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel (photo screenshot by Sarah Ledesma)

Continuing the gilded theme of the evening was the break-out pop star of the year Lana Del Rey accompanied by Joseph Altuzaara wearing his silver classic evening gown accessorized with a black evening cape.  The look was very old Hollywood vamp meets a gothic edge that set the singer out as a standout of the evening. 

As the evening progressed, designers ushered in their A-list dates wearing their custom gowns specially designed with the evening in mind.  Zac Posen ushered in Amber Heard looking phenomenally sexy in a deep blush silk curve hugging gown that left hearts a flutter.  At the red carpet interview Heard was showing her appreciation saying, “I’m so happy to be here with a designer that I love and a person that I love to be around.”

Avenger’s fans coming off the high of the massive weekend box office success were not disappointed by the ethereal arrival of Scarlett Johansen wearing a golden goddess like Dolce & Gabbana.

The show stopping newly engaged couple-of-the-evening Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel diverted much of the attention as the red carpet winded down for the evening. Biel was wearing the designer of the evening, Prada, while Timberlake was donning Tom Ford.  “He’s a beautiful man and makes beautiful suits,” Timberlake said as his fiancé Biel looked smitten as a kitten on his arm.  

Rhianna in Tom Furd (photo screen shot by Sarah Ledesma)
Rhianna in Tom Furd (photo screen shot by Sarah Ledesma)

Capping off the night was the fashionably late arrival of Rhianna sexily slithering into the event in a lizard-like, shiny, body-hugging Tom Ford creation.  "The dressing part was easy," she said, running into the museum, "my nails took forever. They're like claws."  

Marking this as the first ever streaming behind the scenes look at the Met Gala viewers were not disappointed as every slip and trip was recorded for the live audience.  If you were ever wondering how can she walk in that?  The truth is, not very well.  Watch the full coverage here. 

Follow reporter Sarah Ledesma on Twitter.

For additional event photos follow Sarah on Pinterest.



 

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