The 2012 Met Costume Institute Gala red carpet was awash with Hollywood stars and fashion icons in show-stopping gowns and the fashion school attended by Domenico Dolce will host parties across Europe’s fashion capitals to fete the industry’s next potential Dolce & Gabbana.
The style stakes where high for guests attending the fashion event of the calendar – the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2012 ‘Schiaparelli And Prada: Impossible Conversations’ Costume Institute Gala in New York.
Gwyneth Paltrow was lucky not to suffer a wardrobe malfunction in her Prada halterneck minidress which showed off plenty of skin.
Beyonce Knowles donned a figure-hugging sequined and feathered Givenchy Haute Couture gown for the occasion.
Metallics were a popular choice with newly married Carey Mulligan making her first public appearance since her wedding in a stunning Prada ensemble, while Jessica Alba glowed in Michael Kors.
Victoria’s Secret model Karolina Kurkova wowed in a full length backless gold creation and matching turban, designed by Rachel Zoe while Camilla Belle wore a stunning Ralph Lauren number.
Cameron Diaz took part in Livia Firth’s Green Carpet Challenge for the annual fashion event. The ‘Bad Teacher’ actress looked stunning in a custom-made Stella McCartney gown created from organic, certified silk adorned with glass beads and crystal chain.
Livia told vogue.co.uk, ”Yet again the GCC has been given a window on the supply chain and incredible technical processes involved in producing fashion at this level, and Stella McCartney has allowed us to influence this process. Our next goal is to tackle the sourcing of embellishment materials. Who knows, this time next year every attendee at the Met Ball might be in a complete GCC gown – that’s my dream!”
Meanwhile, Christopher Kane was thrilled to dress actress Shailene Woodley for the gala.
He said, ”Shailene is such a beautiful and talented actress. When I first met her, I felt she was right to dress. She has an amazing personality and admires my work. She loved my last autumn/winter show, especially the chainmail pieces so I adapted one of the dresses from the show to be floor-length to suit the occasion. It’s a very dramatic and beautiful creation.”
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana think the fashion industry is ready for a new powerhouse designer, and perhaps Dolce’s former fashion school, Istituto Marangoni,will produce the next big thing.
The Institute has campuses in the fashion capitals of London, Paris and Milan and will host an end of academic year party in each city. The school boasts a string of famous alumni including Franco Moschino, Carolina Castiglioni and Alessandra Facchinetti and the parties will give prospective students the chance to network with some of the fashion industry’s up and coming talent.
Domenico and Stefano previously revealed their hopes that their label Dolce & Gabbana will be remembered after their deaths and said it is time for another big fashion line to launch.
They explained, ”When we started out, our dream was to become like Chanel. Not in style, but as iconic.
”When we die, we want to leave something very recognisable.
”I think it is time to change. If you think, we are the last fashion designers – we came out 27 years ago. No one big like us. There is a lot I know but a big success? We were the last one. We need somebody new.”
