The carpet is ready! Photo via Met Museum/Twitter.
The day has come. It is time for the Met Ball aka the Met Gala aka Fashion Prom. This is, obviously, a big freaking deal to a) anyone who works in the industry b) celebrity red-carpet gawkers and c) people who love to love/hate Kim Kardashian.
The actual Gala isn't until tonight, but leading up to that event there have been ribbon cuttings, two previews of this year's Charles James exhibit and lots of general buzzing about who will attend and what they'll wear.
This year will be different from the two previous in a few key ways. First of all, the dang thing won't be livestreamed. No official reason has been given for this digital-age backsliding, but it most likely has something to do with the quality of previous years' streams, photog-on-celeb heckling and bad hosts. Whatever the reason, Anna did not approve. Second, this year's theme is White Tie or, as one Vogue editor has described it, "a return to formality." This is in keeping with Charles James' ultra-formal designs. Expect gloves for the ladies, tails and potential top hats for the men.
Michelle at the ribbon cutting this morning. Photo via Getty.
This morning, Michelle Obama cut the ribbon on the exhibit and gave a nice little speech. Dressed in green floral (#florcore) Naeem Khan, the FLOTUS said, "I'm here today because of Anna," adding, "I'm so impressed by Anna's contributions not just to fashion but to this great museum. This center is for anyone who cares about fashion and how it impacts our culture and our history."
Photo via Met Museum/Twitter.
As far as who will be attending, here's the list thus far. Per fashion journalist Jim Shi's Twitter, Gisele Bundchen, Anne Hathaway, Emma Stone, Rosie H-Whiteley, Diane Kruger, Jessica Chastain and all three Olsen sisters will be there. Yes! Also, Kristen Stewart is confirmed. "I'm hearing she'll wear #Chanel couture—no surprise, given she's the brand's face." Chances of cornrows? Prob zero. Also, the Hollywood Reporter lists Lupita Nyong'o (in Prada), Michelle Dockery (also in Prada), Zoe Saldana (in Prabal Gurung), Amanda Seyfried (Givenchy), Taylor Swift (J. Mendel), Margot Robbie (DVF), Olivia Munn (also DVF), Zooey Deschanel (Tommy Hilfiger), Emilia Clarke, Naomi Watts, Jessica Pare, and Allison Williams. Kim Kardashian, recent Vogue covergirl, will obviously be there. She's already in the city and in a "New York State of Mind."
Let's take a look at the big-name designers who showed up for this morning's preview. Like Marc Jacobs, who was working a new hair look and scuffed-up sneakers. Click through for all the notables, plus an adorable capture of Sarah Jessica Parker, Stella McCartney and Hamish Bowles taking a #selfie.
Nope, not going.
Unlike Kim K, last year's other most gossiped-about celeb, Miley Cyrus, will not be in attendance tonight. Just an hour ago, Cyrus Insta'd a pic of Big Ben. Maybe she's just too punk for Charles James, or maybe Vogue didn't approve of her recent shenanigans?
The calm before the storm. Photo by Rachel Roy/Instagram.
1:30pm: More confirmations are flying in. Zoe Saldana, Jessica Paré, Lily Aldridge and Ming Xi will wear Michael Kors. Karolína Kurková will wear Marchesa. Also, Cara Delevingne will be there once she gets out of bed.
Inside the exhibit: a Charles James-inspired dress made from flowers. Photo via Thakoon.
1:45pm: Model Adriana Lima will attend in Givenchy Couture. Also, Kendall Jenner, the most model-y-ist of the Jenner-Kardashian clan, will be there. She's "excited." Madonna will not be going, will "work on music instead."
1:50pm: Kenzo will get placement on tonight's red carpet. They are dressing Chloë Sevigny and Spike Jonze.
Photo via.
2pm: Your crucial #MetGala #SelenaGomez update. She will be there, decked out in Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. Here she is selecting her accessories. If Justin Bieber goes with, expect some sort of collective tween wail to echo across NYC.
2:30pm: More celeb confirmations! Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lawrence (in Dior, obvs), Katie Holmes (in Marchesa), Emmy Rossum (Carolina Herrera), Kirsten Dunst (Rodarte), Kate Upton (Dolce & Gabbana) and Leighton Meester (Emilio Pucci). Also, Nicole Richie and her purple hair have touched down in NYC.
Image via Lea Michele/Instagram.
2:40pm: Lea Michele's Met Ball gown tease is above. It will be gold.
2:45pm: Makeup artist Gucci Westman tweets that she'll be doing makeup for two more celeb attendees: Kate Bosworth and Reese Witherspoon.
Image via Cara Delevingne/Instgram.
3pm: Looks like Cara D will be wearing Stella McCartney. Also, Lena Dunham has put up an obligatory "I'm going" Tweet, saying, "It's a challenge fitting all my spy equipment in my Met Ball clutch."
3:15pm: While we wait for more gossip, take a dizzying spin around the exhibit courtesy of Vogue.
Image via.
3:45pm: Here's a peek at the official Met Gala invite. Frank Ocean will perform; tonight's event is co-chaired by Bradley Cooper, Sarah Jessica Parker and Oscar De Le Renta.
3:46pm: Taylor Swift will wear Oscar de la Renta? Must be tight: Girl's on that slice-of-bread-and-water diet.
Click here to view the full photogallery.
4pm: Model Joan Smalls Instas her pedicure while Lauren Bush Lauren selfies her wet hair. Snooze.
Via
4:05pm: Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell in sparkly, beaded Kate Moss for Topshop looks, at least for the moment.
Click here to view the full photogallery.
4:15pm: Here's a full photo gallery of the Charles James exhibit, which our sister site Racked NY toured this morning. They report that it's divided into two wings of the Museum, and that guests must walk through rooms of ancient art to get from one side to another. The first half highlights gowns and eveningwear as well as suits and outerwear, broken down into four categories: Spirals & Wraps; Drapes & Folds; Platonic Form; and Anatomical Cut.
The second half of the exhibit is focused on gowns, gowns, and more gowns. In a darkened room, each dress is displayed on its own pedestal under a spotlight, with a separate roving spotlight and a computerized screen that details structural facts about each dress. As the small spotlight moves around each dress, information on that exact part is displayed on the screen.
4:30pm: The first White Tie selfie belongs to Nigel Barker, who is doing red carpet host duties for Entertainment Tonight.
K Stew's dress? Photos via Style.com.
5pm: Kristen Stewart will be wearing Chanel SS14 couture, as predicted. Per Jim Shi, it will be the black and gold sequin, tulle and feather embroidered gown paired with Chanel Fine Jewelry.
5:10pm: Add Hailee Steinfeld to the attendee list. Are those Charlotte Olympia pumps?
5:15pm: According to @PixieTenenbaum, Shailene Woodley will wear Rodarte and a new short haircut tonight.
5:25pm: No one super-shocking on Just Jared's round up of celeb guests, but comforting to know that Rihanna is more or less confirmed.
5:52pm: While everyone else was freaking out pre-red carpet, look at Kate Upton over here luxuriating.
Photo via.
6pm: And we have full-on ANNA. She looks lovely. Note: no gloves. That's a Chanel Haute Couture gown.
6:05pm: Donna Karan's publicist sends word that the brand will be dressing Nicole Richie ("custom-dyed Sage backless graphic devore velvet gown with tiny asymmetrical straps that criss-cross around the back"), Rita Ora (antiqued matte gold sequined silk tulle gown with an asymmetrical sculpted train) and Idina Menzel (gown with deconstructed floral motifs made of silver
sequins, beads, and threadwork that flow into a chiffon and tulle skirt with train). All sound gorgeous.
· Why You Should GAF About the Met's Charles James Exhibit [Racked]
· Celebrities, Red Carpet Rules: All the 2014 Met Gala Details [Racked]
· Price of Admission to the Met Ball Climbs to $25,000 [Racked]