The 2013 Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala was held on 6th May 2013 in New York. This year’s corresponding exhibit is “Punk: Chaos to Couture,” detailing the lasting influence of the raw, edgy 1970s clothes on the modern runway.
Since its origins in the 1970s, punk has had an incendiary influence on fashion. With its eclectic mixing of stylistic references, punk effectively introduced the postmodern concept of bricolage not only into directional ready-to-wear but also into the elevated precincts of the haute couture.
As a style, punk was about chaos, anarchy, and rebellion. Drawing upon a corpus of sexual and political imagery that was deliberately intended to shock, provoke, and confront, punks made fashion overtly hostile and threatening. This aesthetic of violence – even of cruelty – was intrinsic to the clothes themselves, which were often customized with rips, tears, and slashes and such savage and sadistic hardware as studs, spikes, chains, buckles, zippers, D-Rings, padlocks, safety pins, and razor blades. “PUNK: Chaos to Couture” examines the impact of punk’s aesthetic of brutality on high fashion, focusing especially on its do-it-yourself, rip-it-to-shreds ethos, the antithesis of couture’s made-to-measure exactitude.
The live stream on Vogue.com was hosted by model Hilary Rhoda and Vogue’s William Norwich, can also be seen on the Moda Operandi, Samsung and Met websites.
Every year this gala draws a mix of Hollywood A-listers, designers and supermodels to celebrate the museum’s big fashion-focused exhibit. Beyonce Knowles was the honorary chairwoman, with co-chairs Mara, Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and Lauren Santo Domingo, co-founder of online retailer Moda Operandi.
Music star Beyonce wore custom-made Givenchy Couture dress by Ricardo Tisci.
Oscar winning actress, Jennifer Lawrence wore Dior Couture dress from their spring/summer 2013 collection, Brian Atwood heels and Jennifer Behr veiled headpiece.
Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen choose Anthony Vaccarello mini dress for her first red carper appearance since the birth of her daughter Vivian. Gisele was accompanied by her husband Tom Brady.
Actress Rooney Mara also wore custom-made Givenchy Couture dress by Ricardo Tisci.
Sienna Miller was dressed in Burberry open-back plunging dress and cropped studded biker jacket.
British actress Emma Watson exuded elegance in black Prabal Gurung custom-made dress, with tigh-high slit.
Fashion icon Sarah Jessica Parker wore Giles Deacon gown with Philip Treacy, Mohican inspired headpiece.
Actress Anne Hathaway showed off her new platinum blonde hair. She wore vintage Valentino dress.
Fashionista Alexa Chung was wearing a black panelled dress from British fashion label Erdem, from their fall/winter 2013 collection.
Model Cara Delevigne was dressed in black Burberry studded plunge-neck dress, clutch and heels.
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow wore Valentino Couture pink custom-made dress.
Actress Carey Mulligan wore black Balenciaga dress from fall/winter 2013 collection.
Actress Blake Lively wore Gucci strapless gown with feathers and embroideries.
Kristen Stewart shined in Stella McCartney burgundy red jumpsuit with lace details.
Actress Kerry Washington was dressed in Vera Wang dress.
Actress Michelle Williams was dressed in black strapless Saint Laurent gown.
Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wore Gucci black and gold gown from their fall/winter 2013 collection.
The new face of Givenchy fragrance, actress Amanda Seyfried wore Givenchy Couture by Ricardo Tisci dress from their spring/summer 2007 collection.
Taylor Swift was dressed in J. Mendel black silk gown with beaded neckline.
Jennifer Lopez wore Michael Kors leopard print full length gown.
Designer Tom Ford and model Joan Smalls joined forces to create elegant look on Joan. She wore black sheer Tom Ford dress.
Katie Holmes was dressed in all white Clavin Klein dress.
Jessica Biel wore Giambattista Valli Couture strapless dress from spring/summer 2013 collection.
Actress Jessica Alba was dressed in Tory Burch dress with Christian Louboutin spiked clutch bag.
Model Doutzen Kroes was dressed in all black Thyskens Theory dress.
French beauty Marion Cotillard shined in Christian Dior pastel dress with Chopard jewelry.
Anja Rubik was dressed in Anthony Vaccarello dress.
Actress Diane Kruger was dressed in black lace Chanel Couture dress and her boyfriend Joshua Jackson was with her.
Pop diva Madonna really got into the punk spirit with Givenchy Couture belted blazer, stockings and Casadei pink heels.
Kate Bosworth wore pink beaded Balmain mini dress with Ferragamo black heels.
Actress Uma Thurman came in the company of designer Zac Posen. She wore his olive green silk gown.
Model Miranda Kerr was dressed in black cut-away Michael Kors dress.
Olivia Wilde wore custom-made ivory satin Calvin Klein dress.
French model Constance Jablonski was in the company of designer Wes Gordon, and she wore his design.
After interviewing the attendees live for Vogue.com, American model Hilary Rhoda posed for the photographers in Wes Gordon lace draped blouse and skinny pants.
Ivanka Trump
Actress Cameron Diaz was dressed in cobalt gown from Stella McCartney.
All eyes were on Kim Kardashian, her baby bump and boyfriend Kanye West. She was dressed in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci floral gown.
Nina Dobrev
Kate Beckinsale was dressed in red strapless Alberta Ferretti gown and Giuseppe Zanotti black heels.
Katy Perry was dressed in Dolce & Gabbana beaded dress from their fall/winter 2013 collection, accessorized with David Yurman jewelry.
Chanel Iman
Karolina Kurkova was dressed in Mary Katrantzou dress.
Liya Kebede was dressed in Alberta Ferretti dress.
Celebrity couple Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale looked stylish as always. Gwen was dressed in Maison Martin Margiela cut- away gown and Ferragamo clutch.
Nicole Richie came with sprayed all white hairstyle which matched her TopShop white column dress.
Music star Rita Ora came in custom-made Thakoon white dress, accessorized with Cartier jewels and Nicholas Kirkwood shoes.
Actress Kirsten Dunst was dressed in Louis Vuitton plunging gown.
Miley Cyrus was dressed in Marc Jacobs mesh dress from fall/winter 2013 collection.
American model Kate Upton shined in Diane Von Furstenberg emerald gown.
Aussie singer Kylie Minogue wore Moschino satin strapless gown.
Heidi Klum was dressed in silver strapless Marchesa gown.
Actress Elizabeth Banks was dressed in Atelier Versace gold dress and custom designer Brian Atwood sandals.
American singer Alicia Keys wore Jason Wu custom-made sequin dress.
Actress Amber Heard came in the company of designer Peter Dundas, creative director of Emilio Pucci fashion house. She was dressed in custom-made Emilio Pucci red chantilly lace gown with Pomellato jewelry.
British actress Naomie Harris was dresses in Donna Karan Atelier gown.
Images: Fashion Spot; zimbio: getty; celebrity-paradise