Fast Fashion At Met Ball
Fast fashion at the Met ball: H&M and Topshop join top designers in outfitting celebs for big night
At the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala, considered the premier fashion event of the year (next to the Oscars), Sarah Jessica Parker usually causes a stir in a creation by a noted designer. Last year, she was the center of attention in a black-and-white Oscar de la Renta gown with the designer's initials embroidered on her train.
At Monday night's party in New York, Parker got noticed again — only this time she was wearing a one-of-kind gown created by cheap chic purveyor H&M.
While the H&M gowns are not available to the general public,Topshop is offering the limited-edition red carpet collection online, with prices ranging from $350 to $360.
It was the fast fashion retailer's first time at the ball, and to celebrate it collaborated with Parker to produce the one-shouldered black silk dress with a draped train embroidered with Scarlet poppies. Parker topped it off with a Philip Treacy headdress saluting the Costume Institute exhibit, China: Through the Looking Glass.
H&M also outfitted Vanessa Hudgens in a custom-made pleated crimson tea-length dress embellished with Swarovski crystals, Janelle Monáe in a custom-made Mandarin-collared cropped tuxedo jacket and caped suit and the singer Banks in a custom-made off-the-shoulder, sultry, bias-cut gown in Chinese red.
Not to be outdone, H&M's rival Topshop, which just opened a store in The Galleria, outfitted a number of models in custom gowns for the gala. Among those wearing Topshop were Lily Donaldson in a red silk dress with fitted bodice and layered tulle skirt, Emily Ratajowski in an ankle-skimming long sleeve dress with intricate 3D floral embroidery, and Josephine de la Baume in hand embroidered long-sleeve red gown with black and white beading and a center back cascading train.
While the H&M gowns are not available to the general public, Topshop is offering the limited-edition red carpet collection online, with prices ranging from $350 to $360.
The men got into the act, too, with Uptown Funk composer Mark Ronson in a custom Topman black double breasted suit with Chinoiserie inspired accessories and Formula 1 race car driver Lewis Hamilton in a cobalt blue Topman frock coat with matching waistcoat.