15 Best Dressed Women at the Met Gala

Each year, the Met Gala, also known as the Costume Institute Gala, draws a selection of fashion celebrities and Hollywood goddesses onto its red carpet. The fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum marks the opening of its annual fashion exhibition, which sets the tone for the dress code of the night.

This year the exhibition’s focus is on China and how its culture has inspired the world of fashion – see preview of “China through the Looking Glass” exhibition here – so it’s not surprising there was a strong orientalism theme dominating the evening, including close-fit silhouettes inspired by the traditional qipao style dress, red galore (considered a lucky color in Chinese culture), and Chinese motifs like peonies and dragons.

Embracing the evening’s sartorial theme without becoming too literal (an all red outfit, large dragon embroidery) proved a difficult task for many, but some ladies got it spot on.

Topping our best dressed list is actress Anne Hathaway in a stunning cheongsam-inspired gold lamé gown by Ralph Lauren. The addition of a hood to the otherwise very simple, yet uber-sexy shape with its demure cap sleeves gave it a contemporary twist.

Also claiming a top spot is actress Zhang Ziyi in a pure white Carolina Herrera gown that incorporated a fitted traditional cheongsam top with a subtle red flower embellishment and a more unusual full body skirt with stylized white branch applique.

Rounding out our top three spot for a contemporary interpretation of the Chines theme was Katie Holmes in a ravishing midnight blue gown by Zac Posen, with a large skirt embroidered with Chinese clouds – a less derivative Chinese symbol than the dragon seen for example ‘tattooed’ in sequins by Atelier Versace on transparent tulle worn by Jenifer Lopez.

Also amongst our selection of the best dressed women are: Rita Ora in a red Tom Ford gown, Emily Ratakowski in Top Shop, Rihanna in a fabulously out-there and fit for an empress Guo Pei yellow coat, Bee Schaffer in Alexandre McQueen, Emily Blunt in Prada, Wendi Murdoch Deng in Oscar de la Renta, Lidyie Kebede in 3.1 Phillip Lim, Gong Li in Roberto Cavalli, Maggie Q in Tory Burch, Georgia May Jagger in Gucci, Lady Gaga in Balenciaga (though more Japanese Kimono than Chinese robe), and Kate Hudson in Michael Kors.

As first published on BlouinArtinfo.com