Yesterday was - for all those who celebrate - Met Monday - as the fashion industry’s elite descended on the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for the charity fundraiser tied to the opening of The Costume Institute’s headline fashion exhibition which is this year titled Superfine: Tailoring Black Style based on Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.
As ever, there was much to discuss, not just in terms of who turned up and what they wore, but also who didn’t; Blake Lively, Naomi Campbell and Justin Bieber were all notable by their absence.
Now, as the dust has started to settle, it’s time to consider the beauty lessons we learnt from this year’s narcissus-scattered red carpet, (which was actually blue).
Read on to discover what's worth a try and what you can probably skip over in the weeks ahead.
Try a blunt bob like Pamela Anderson
Horrifyingly, some labelled Pamela Anderson’s Met Gala look “frumpy,” but I will hear nothing of the sort: A) she looked sensational and B) how are we still using lexicon like this to describe women in this day and age?
The 57-year old ex Baywatch star has been nothing short of on point when it comes to her beauty looks over the last year, turning out regularly makeup-free, while claiming that she’s never felt better in her skin, so teaching us all a valuable lesson in being brave enough to live life on our own terms.
Yesterday Anderson knocked it out of the park again, undergoing a total hairstyle switch, swapping her familiar blonde lengths for a blunt, micro bob and baby bangs that perfectly complimented the sharp shoulders of her structured, silver Tory Burch gown. Blown out with a flick at the bottom as a nod to the gala’s “Superfine,” theme, her vibe was beautiful and brimming with confidence. What a woman!
Remember statement lips and radiant skin like Doechii’s are a match made in heaven
In case the faux-branding on Doechii’s cheek didn’t give it away, the singer, rapper and songwriter wore Louis Vuitton, but oh what a beauty look this was. That incredible Afro! Those perfectly-lined, high shine, statement lips painted in the deepest black cherry! Those irresistibly glossy eyelids and that fresh, radiant skin! Who wouldn't be inspired by such perfection?
Do like Zendaya and be more Bianca Jagger
Zendaya is famous for her brave, bold red carpet looks, and has taken to the Met steps dressed as everything from Cinderella, to Joan of Arc over the years.
This time however, her look was more of a lesson in modern elegance than ostentation, as the actress picked a sleek white power-suit and hat paired with a radiant skin, a razor-sharp, angled blush, lined, nude lip and soft, smokey, bronze eye by Charlotte Tilbury. The inspiration? A seventies Bianca Jagger, who famously got married in a white YSL suit.
It is with good reason that Bianca Jagger’s iconic beauty looks are some of the most-referenced at beauty shoots and in catwalk backstage areas worldwide. Want in? Try Charlotte Tilbury’s Beautifying Eye Trend Palette in Sensual Sunset, £49 and her new Lip Cheat Contour Duo in Tan £22 (charlottetilbury.com)
Going full pin-up like Gigi is always a great idea
Three cheers for Gigi’s victorious, vintage victory rolls and red lip combo, along with an important lesson in the form of not letting you bob stop you going full glamour.
Celebrity hairstylist and colourist Dimitris Giannetos’ masterful use of extensions transformed Hadid’s chin-grazing bob into boudoir curls to complement her statuesque Miu Miu gown. Named after fighter pilots from the 1940s and the spin they would do after successful tactical manoeuvers in World War Two, this nod to the Golden Age of Cinema is a fun and fabulous one to try. Dress your own rolls up or down as required.
Lupita Nyong’o makes a strong case for the power ponytail
Bejewelled eyebrows and a sleek, chic, power pony were the order of the day for Lupita yesterday, a vision of bold, elegant beauty. And while sparkling arches may be more than your everyday repertoire can handle, we’re reminded that a great ponytail is always an excellent thing.
Lupita’s long-time hairstylist Vernon François delivered the intricate look which incorporated subtle embellishment, telling British Vogue, “I wanted her hair to embody the detail and discipline of haute couture – where every curve, parting and placement mimicked the hair of a skilled tailor…For me, the theme of Black dandyism is about unleashing the artistry of tailoring – an ode to seamstresses, to structure, to craftsmanship layered with intentionality…It’s a theme rooted in power, presentation and resistance – using refinement as a form of rebellion.”
Lovely stuff.
