The night that fashion died: It's the highlight of the fashionistas' year. So why was the Met Ball such a riot of bad taste?

By Liz Jones

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From knicker-flashing to tartan shorts, studs to side-boobs, these were fashion’s finest on their big night out.

The annual Met Ball is supposed to be a celebration of style — so how did so many celebrities make it such a shocker?

Let me take you inside this year’s exhibition at the Costume Institute in New York to explain what occurred on that red carpet.

Emma Watson

Emma Watson is still finding her fashion feet inthis bandage 'barely there' dress by Prabal Gurung. She is trying to do a Kristen Stewart and go 'edgy' but I think she should dress prettily, which suits her far more

Katy Perry

Katy Perry wore Dolce & Gabbana, the Italian designers who have become vastly rich through their vastly over-the- top use of embellishment. After all, what’s so punk about dressing like a cathedral fresco? Katy’s frock's far too boxy and shiny, and way too informal, given its short length

Beyonce

Beyonce is far too healthy-looking to ever be a punk: here in flame-print Givenchy, with thigh boots that make me cringe

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway is trying to shake off the too-pretty image that has attracted so much online vitriol. And guess what, she has succeeded. This very revealing Valentino gown is too old for her, while the newly platinum hair is too harsh

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica-Parker in custom made Giles Deacon, with tartan over the knee boots and a Mohican made by Philip Treacy. I love the hat, but I don't see the need to see SJP's thighs, And as for that muscular neck...

Cara Delevingne

Model of the moment Cara Delevigne rather caught the eye in her Burberry Prorsum studded gown slashed to her knickers with a puddle train

It celebrates the passage of punk from street fashion to haute couture — and you can see close up the infamous Versace safety-pin dress, worn by Liz Hurley in 1994, a fashion moment that transformed the red carpet from a boring promenade to what it is today: a short-cut to stardom. 

Also in the exhibition are the famous tops designed by Vivienne Westwood, grand dame of punk, which she christened ‘Tits’.

Madonna

Madonna, never the shrinking violet, is in a couture jacket by Givenchy, to which she has added fishnet tights, a fishnet vest, and a dog collar. It's an unfortunate choice of accessory and an even more unfortunate outfit

Lily Cole

Never mind this recycled rubber dress by queen of punk Vivienne Westwood, worn by model Lily Cole, it's the hair I can't fathom and those black clumpy shoes

Jennifer Lopez

I'm not a fan of leopard print, except on leopards. Jennifer Lopez's gown, by Michael Kors, was cut low at th eback, flattering her va-va voom body. But it had nothing to do with the punk theme

Kim Kardashian

Goodness, is it the Chelsea Flower Show already? Kim Kardashian has been smarting from criticism of the weight she has gained during her pregnancy, but the overblown florals of this Givenchy gown is not the way to go

And there is no more apt word in the dictionary to describe the procession of the most famous, cosseted, honed women in the world who took to that red carpet, celebrating the opening of this exhibition. It was, quite simply, a fashion horror.

The irony of the punk dress code was lost on these women, most of whom had not even been born when punk was at its height. For them, the punk fashion ethos of cheap, self-made, deconstructed clothing went way over the top of their empty heads.

Kristen Stewart

Oh, Krisetn Stewart. This Stella McCartney maroon jumpsuit is positively clownish, and makes even the Twilight star seem dumpy

Joely Richardson

Joely Richardson in an acid-yellow gown by London designer Roksanda Ilincic. The striking angular bustle gives her much needed definition, but I find her whole look a little troublesome. The make-up is far too harsh, the accessories too black and moody

I’m not quite sure who were the worst perpetrators: the women who, like Anna Wintour and Gwyneth Paltrow, ignored the dress code entirely, not wanting to look anything other than a) thin and b) young, or those who embraced the edict to disastrous effect, viz Madonna, who managed to make couture look like rags and spouted: ‘Punk is about not caring what anybody thinks.’ 

A useful attitude to have, when you go out having forgotten your trousers.

katie holmes graphic.jpg

katie holmes graphic.jpg






 

The comments below have not been moderated.

Emma's dress and shoes omg I loved it!!!

Click to rate     Rating   2

Madonna is very "V for Vendetta ":)

Click to rate     Rating   1

Is that Madonna or Hilary Devey?

Click to rate     Rating   5

What do they expect when every year they let in more and more trashy celebrities? This used to be a sophisticated event, now patrons that have attended for years have no interest in going to it because of the way it's been headed the past few years.

Click to rate     Rating   1

Nice to see SJP paying an early tribute to one of Ray Harryhausen's monsters. Don't look into her eyes!!

Click to rate     Rating   5

They all look hideous. I can't stand Anne Hathaway, but I actually like her hair blonde.

Click to rate     Rating   4

I think Cara and Anne Hathaway look amazing! I've see. A lot of pictures of other celebrities and I think Taylor Swift looked absolutely beautiful

Click to rate     Rating   6

Oh dear, no ideas!!!!!

Click to rate     Rating   4

Not one of the outfits had anything remotely to do with Punk fashion or aesthetic. On either side of the Atlantic.

Click to rate     Rating   12

Never would have thought Emma Watson would dress in something do revealing! Katy Perry is such a try hard.

Click to rate     Rating   12

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