The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents PUNK: Chaos to Couture. The exhibit, opening to the public May 9, aims to examine the impact of the punk movement on high fashion. Punk reached popularity in the 1970s and remains influential to this day.
Decades ago, punk was a movement, designers Malcolm McClaren and Vivienne Westwood were well-known for their contributions. Today, punk serves as inspiration that continues to be interpreted and updated by Westwood and other seasoned designers as well as a new generation of designers.
The exhibit is sponsored by Moda Operandi, and the prelude to the exhibit – the Gala Benefit – was co-chaired by Lauren Santo Domingo (Moda Operandi co-founder), Rooney Mara,
Riccardo Tisci, and Anna Wintour.
The annual Met Gala is one of the industry’s most anticipated events bringing in models, designers, editors, Hollywood’s A-list and other industry influencers. One would be hard-pressed to find mere mortals on this guest list.
The livestreamed red carpet was scattered with invitees dressed in their finest punk-inspired looks – however loosely interpreted – heavy on the studs, spikes, leather, pink hair, mohawks and lots of Givenchy.
Honorary chairwoman Beyoncé wasn’t very punk in Givenchy, but the look served its purpose. Sarah Jessica Parker went fancy-punk in a Giles Deacon number topped off with a Phillip Treacy mohawk headpiece. Kim Kardashian tried her best to rock head-to-toe floral by Riccardo Tisci. Did she succeed?
Madonna got the message and reigned over all in Givenchy, fishnets, and no pants. Valentino did a newly blonde Anne Hathaway well and Nicole Richie did her best in Topshop and a gray updo. Rooney Mara stunned in head-to-toe Givenchy and Christina Ricci rocked plaid in none other than a Vivienne Westwood high-low gown. Check out the red carpet looks that stood out to us – good and bad – and tell us which ones were your favorites.
