Met Gala

I’m a little late out of the gate on this one.

After all, the gala opening for this Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibit was way back in May. But I have an excuse: I didn’t have this blog then.

So my news peg has become: Hurry to New York and see this incredible collaborative exhibit between the Met’s Costume Institute and Department of Asian Art before it closes Sept. 7. It was scheduled to close Aug. 16 but was extended due to popularity. Check out my post yesterday, and you’ll see why.

These red carpet photos of celebrities in haute couture at the Costume Institute’s benefit and exhibit opening won’t go quietly into the night either. The designs may have debuted way back in May, but they are still talking. And my picks for rooms inspired by some of these outfits are hot off the press. Enjoy!

Capes, coats and couture…

Kevin Mazur/Via Chinoiserie Chic

Actress, singer and producer Fan BingBing (above) donned my favorite ensemble of the evening. Here she dazzles onlookers in her floor-sweeping cape and glimmering Christopher Bu gown. The look is irridescent perfection–just like the room vignette it inspires.

Dimitrio Kambouris/Via Chinoiserie Chic

Dare I say it: GAGA over BALENCIAGA? Too late; it’s out there. Lady GaGa intimidates the hell out of the runway in this Balenciaga ensemble. The trellis pattern of the coat is what inspires my choice of room on the right. The mirror mimics the shape of her ladyship’s “crown” as well.

Larry Busacca/Scott Snyder

I’m no “Belieber,” nor do I suffer from Justin Bieber fever, BUT…that is one bodacious Balmain ensemble he’s sporting. The gold-embroidered jacket easily stands up to the elegant powder room, where I imagine him singing into a gold-plated hairbrush and winking at his reflection. The powder room is by Scott Snyder.

Larry Busacca

Though her beaded pyjama-inspired ensemble is by Thakoon, actress Sienna Miller looks made for this room in Coco Chanel’s historic Paris apartment. Chanel was often photographed in this very same iconic white chair, and the Coromandel screen seen here is one of 32 she owned. She used the screens as room dividers, doors, behind sofas, around seating areas and in place of wallpaper. See more photos of Chanel’s apartment here.

Off the wall, so to speak…

Dimitrios Kambouris/Dan Marshall

Model Hailey Baldwin makes some serious mini-mojo in this dress by Topshop. High fashion is always inspirational but not always wearable. This creation is both. And she looks as if she just walked out from the limited edition De Gournay wallpaper used in exhibit sets. The pattern is “Badminton,” and it’s done on paper gilded with 12 karat white gold. See more of the papers De Gournay produced for the exhibit here.

Rex USA/Via Decoholic

British TV host, model and Vogue contributing editor Alexa Chung was the essence of sweet in an Erdem gown that echoed another of the De Gournay wallpapers. Don’t like wallpaper at home? Get the same look with paint on the walls and the chinoiserie print on the bedding.

Larry Busacca

The embroidered Prada gown and beaded cape worn by actress Emily Blunt float like the silk organza panels hanging in China Club Singapore. The panels are De Gournay’s “Lotus” pattern. Blunt’s jewelry is by Ann Hu Haute Joallerie.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Via Chinoiserie Chic

Singer/songwriter Katy Perry is still living the teenage dream in this graffiti get-up from Moschino by Jeremy Scott. I’m surprised museum security didn’t make her check the can of spray paint posing as a purse. Her inspired room uses a mix of modern art and sculpture to achieve a similar, if more ordered, look. The patterns in the floor pillows echo those in the gathered skirt of the dress.

And over the top…

Dimitrios Kambouris/Digs Digs

I struggled finding a room to do justice to singer Beyonce in this barely-there Givenchy gown. The sticking point? The dress’ gem-like beadwork (detail, inset upper right). I wanted room accents that pulled out those jewel tones. Finally, I decided less is more (wink-wink) and gave up. Beyonce in that gown needs nothing but a drop-your-drawers bedroom full of uptown glam.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Scott Snyder

No one drew more attention than singer Rihanna arriving in her Guo Pei egg-yolk-yellow gown–perhaps because she needed an entourage to carry around the endless train. This dress is waaaaaaay over the top for my taste, but it does make a to-die-for armoire, don’t you think? Room design by Scott Snyder.