Fashion Central

Best red carpet ever? Sizzle meets drizzle on the Met's big night atPrada/Schiaparelli exhibit

Beyonce stole the show in a revealing black lace Givenchy Haute Couture gownthat morphed into a lengthy purple feathered train.
Photo by Steven Lovekin/Film Magic
Model Coco Rochas wore a vintage yellow pants suit with hot pink blouse and onceowned by Elizabeth Taylor.
Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Co-chair Anna Wintour wore a white Prada gown festooned with gold beads in theshape of a lobster—an homage to a famed “lobster dress” designed bySchiaparelli.
Photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFANYC.com
Tommy Hilfiger wore a navy blue shadow stripe one button shawl collar tuxedo,white button-down, and black silk bowtie all by Tommy Hilfiger. Dee Hilfigerwore a shocking pink satin-faced organza gown with bell sleeves and a dramaticfull skirt by Tommy Hilfiger.
Photo by Kevin Mazur/Wire Image
And the woman poured into that bright white mini with Jetson-like pointyshoulders? That's Melania Trump in a Marc Bouwer dress.
Photo by Bobby Bank/Getty Images
Kristin Bell wore an orange crinkle silk chiffon gown with a crisscross halterneckline and waist rouching by Tommy Hilfiger.
Photo by Kevin Mazur/Wire Image
Carey Mulligan in Prada gold and silver degradé metal paillettes scaled halterneck dress.
Photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFANYC.com
Eva Mendes in Prada tangerine silk strapless peplum waisted gown with a plexiand resin stone embroidered bustier and turban style head band.
Photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFANYC.com
Ronnie Wood wore a two button notch lapel tuxedo, white tuxedo shirt,black/white silk star print vest and black satin tie all by TommyHilfiger. Sally Humphreys wore a red silk jersey gown with plunging back andwaist sash by Tommy Hilfiger.
Photo by Kevin Mazur/Wire Image
Jessica Biel in Prada ivory double stretch satin deep-V gown with cascading jadegreen stones. Prada shoes and clutch.
Photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFANYC.com
Gwyneth Paltrow in Prada steel blue duchesse halter neck dress with invertedback pleats and macro-paillettes embroidered patch pockets.
Photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFANYC.com
Gary Oldman in Prada white smoking jacket with black tuxedo trousers, whitepopeline French cuff shirt, black silk bow tie, and white pocket square.Alexandra Oldman in Miu Miu black paillettes sleeveless train-back gown.
Photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFANYC.com
Milla Jovovich in Prada red double satin shredded skirt gown embellished withonxy floral beading. Prada shoes and clutch.
Photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFANYC.com
Diane Kruger wor a Prada royal purple layered crepe silk chiffon V-neck gownwith a hand-finished ostrich feather border.
Photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFANYC.com
Kate Bosworth in Prada bordeaux and navy ostrich feather low cut-back minidress. Michael Polish wore a Prada navy smoking kid mohair one button shawlcollar tuxedo with white pleated central tuxedo shirt, and navy bowtie.
Photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFANYC.com

NEW YORK — The red carpet sizzled Monday night at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of their latest fashion exhibit, “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations.” The exhibit juxtaposes the very modern Italian designer Miuccia Prada with the very dead Elsa Schiaparelli (hence, um, the “impossible” part)—covering their fashions, lives and views on art.

“This is THE event of the year,” Tommy Hilfiger said. “It’s like the Oscars and Grammys all rolled into one.”

Odds are good he’s used that line before. But in this case, it’s kinda true

“This is as good as it gets,” Jason Wu concurred.

As fashionable red carpets go, there’s really none redder than this.

Rock Lobster

Co-chair Anna Wintour, as always, arrived first, wearing a white Prada gown festooned with gold beads in the shape of a lobster—an homage to a famed “lobster dress” designed by Schiaparelli and worn by the Duchess of Windsor in 1937.

That’s the exciting thing about the Met’s annual shindig. You can always count on high drama.

Like Christina Ricci, in her lacy Thakoon cocktail dress with enormous pink satin bow (you could wrap the Astrodome with it); Renée Zellweger in super-tight Emilio Pucci (with bare back and organza train); and Amber Heard looking regal in a mauve Zac Posen strapless with frou-frou caboose (it looked fab but it’s anyone’s guess how she sat).

“They’re both huge risk-takers,” Posen said of Prada and Schiap’ (which is pronounced “skap,” as in “skap-uh-RELL-ee”). “They both played with graphics, humor, irony, sarcasm—they’re each really someone to celebrate.”

“They’re both huge risk-takers,” Posen said of Prada and Schiap’ (which is pronounced “skap,” as in “skap-uh-RELL-ee”).

What with both women hailing from Italy, there were a lot of Italians in the crowd. Which was pretty apparent by the bold fashion choices. In fact, it seemed a good theorem—if in doubt about the identity of particularly flamboyant guests, assume they’re Italian.

A woman in a yellow feather jacket with a purse like a Rubik’s cube? Gotta be Italian.

The dude sprinting up the steps in a sleek tux, tan and no shirt? C’mon…Italian.

And the woman poured into that bright white mini with Jetson-like pointy shoulders? Oh, wait—that’s Melania Trump. (Okay, Slovenian.) (The dress, by the way, was Marc Bouwer.)

What's a little rain?

A crowd of fans gathered on the sidewalk across the street to hoot and holler. Screams for Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake seemed loud enough to set off car alarms, and the voilume didn’t diminish when it started to rain. (Just a drizzle, but still.)

The rain had just let up a tad when Chloe Sevigny, desperate for a ciggie break, borrowed a lighter from a Women’s Wear Daily reporter and stepped outside the tent.

What's the best part of the evening, she was asked? “Sitting down, after hours in heels that are killing you.” Hers WERE killer—outrageous ‘70s platforms in glittery silver, to match a mini dress in a loosely woven grid pattern revealing flashes of flesh.

“It’s Miu Miu, the whole kit and caboodle,” she explained.

Nominees for Most Raucous have to include Karolina Kurkova, in a sparkly Rachel Zoe ensemble complete with turban (cuz, really, how often do you get to wear a turban outside of Boca?); and Marc Jacobs (in a black lace shirt dress with white boxers underneath); and Brit singer Florence Welch in a hilarious (there’s no other word for it) triple-tiered snowy Christmas tree of a dress (oh, gosh, now she’s spinning for the cameras). Sorry, Flo, but Marc’s dress is more appealing.

As usual, Beyoncé stole the show in a revealing black lace Givenchy Haute Couture gown that morphed into a lengthy purple feathered train. A flesh-colored bodysuit underneath the gown kept the singer, recently named the World's Most Beautiful Woman by People magazine, from showing too much.

Pretty in.....?

Surprisingly—celebs were rather restrained when it came to doing up the famed Schiaparelli pink, but when it popped up…it POPPED. There was Jason Wu’s black lace dress wrapped with swaths of pink (and worn by model Karlie Kloss).

Or Chris Benz’s Mohawk.

But the best had to be model Coco Rochas, wearing a Givenchy yellow pants suit with hot pink blouse and matching hot pink hair extensions. The ensemble was vintage—bought at auction in December and once owned by Elizabeth Taylor. Stained by her, too—the outfit came with a wine stain, which Coco tried to get out, but couldn’t. (Don’t worry—it’s faint.)

Rochas, had decided to go with the Liz look but “when I was told that Schiaparelli was known for her famous pink, I thought—great—I love it—we’re done.”

No doubt Miuccia and Schiap’ would’ve approved.

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“Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations” opens Wednesday through Aug. 19 at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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WHERE TO SHOP IN APRIL

Where to shop in Houston right now: 13 spots to get ready for spring

Photo courtesy of Gorjana

Gorjana debuts its “With Love, From the Desert” collection, featuring bandana-inspired pieces and easy, everyday layers.

Trips to Round Top and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo may be in the rearview, but Houston's social calendar isn't slowing down yet. Spring is just getting started with a full lineup of parties, galas, and sunny soirées that call for a wardrobe refresh or some retail therapy to match the new season.

From fresh boutique arrivals to statement jewelry drops and can't-miss events, April delivers plenty of reasons to shop.

Abejas
Spring has sprung, and West University-area boutique Abejas is ready with new arrivals from brands including Tutu&Lilli, Cleobella, Catherine Gee, and Pharaoh Collection.

BYLT Basics
Made famous for their "drop cut" tees and major athletic and celebrity partnerships, BYLT Basics is now open in the Galleria. The store offers a variety of transitional everyday essentials that can go from work to workouts.

Consuela
The Texas-based brand is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the launch of the limited-edition Hola-Love Classic Tote. The anniversary tote features natural Diego leather that develops a deep patina over time, a bright Consuela Cloth interior, an orange star glitter pocket, and exclusive handcrafted “Peeps” charms created in collaboration with artists in San Miguel de Allende. Only 620 pieces will be released, each including a signed anniversary patch from Consuela's founder Conni Reed.

Fourth & Nomad
A Heights favorite, Fourth & Nomad is stocked with springtime favorites, including the newest drop of handmade jewelry from Merewif. The collection includes delicate rings and necklaces that still make a statement.

Gorjana
With Love, From the Desert is the latest drop from the So-Cal brand, and while bandanas are having a moment, Gorjana is ready with the Paisley Bandana Knot necklace and bracelets. The Zoey Mixed Stacked Huggies are great for those who love mixed metals, and with Mother's Day coming up, the Mama Wilder necklace is the perfect gift for mom.

Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market
After a four-year hiatus, Houston Ballet’s beloved Nutcracker Market Spring returns April 17–19 at NRG Center. Nearly 150 merchants will showcase warm-weather finds, from returning favorites like Apples Gone Wild and Dog Collar World to more than 40 new vendors, including Texas-based Beaded Blondes. Proceeds support the Ballet’s Academy and scholarship programs, continuing a legacy of more than $100 million raised. Tickets start at $20, with early bird options offering multi-day access and early entry.

M-K-T Heights
Shop at over 50 local plant and artisan vendors at M-K-T Heights Big Spring Energy Houston Plant Market. Enjoy hands-on activities, giveaways, DJs, and roaming entertainers for IG-worthy photo-opps at this outdoor event. Saturday, April 18, 12-5 pm.

Salvation Army Chic Boutique Showroom Sale
One of the year’s most anticipated shopping events is back, and it’s giving serious designer deals. The Salvation Army Chic Boutique sale returns with racks of new and pre-loved pieces, including clothing, shoes, and accessories from coveted names like Valentino, Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Loewe, Zimmermann, Tory Burch, Rebecca Taylor, Staud, Cinq à Sept, and Alice + Olivia. Shoppers can stock up on luxury labels without the luxury price tags. The sale will take place at 3403 Richmond Ave, with an early-access preview on Wednesday, April 8, from 3-7 pm where a $20 donation gets shoppers first pick of the best finds. The doors open to the public Thursday, April 9, through Saturday, April 11, from 10 am-5 pm.

Saturday Silks
Get ready for gameday or graduation with Saturday Silks' collegiate scarves, pocket squares, twillies, sleep masks, and scrunchies. The Houston-based boutique also carries an array of scarf accessories, including Skinny Scarf Reversible Leather belts, scarf rings, scarf sliders, and the Small Saturday Scarf Leather Belt Straps.

The City Market 2026
Hosted by the Houston Junior Forum, this annual market will take place on Thursday, April 9, from 2-8 pm, and Friday, April 10, from 9:30 am to 5 pm, at Silver Street Studios. Shoppers will find a wide range of merchants, including boutique gifts, accessories, art, gourmet food, clothing, jewelry, and more. Perfect for stocking up on gifts for Mother's Day, Easter, and graduations.

Tommy John
On Thursday, April 2, Tommy John will be launching its first-ever swim collection, with trunks designed to solve one of the biggest issues with traditional trunks, uncomfortable mesh lining. The collection features swimwear with a supportive, quick-dry liner inspired by its popular underwear. Available at the Galleria, the debut collection includes Men’s Classic Swim Short and the Men’s Air Flow Swim Short.

Tootsies
Designed with warm-weather dressing in mind, North Carolina-based brand Marie Oliver highlights bold color and easy, breathable silhouettes for its Spring 2026 collection. Available at Tootsies, the collection is full of effortless dresses, playful skirts, and separates that are perfect for any occasion, from brunch to evening plans.

Vuori
California-based performance and lifestyle brand Vuori is now open at the Galleria on level 2 near the Galleria Financial Center. Known for its integration of fitness, surf, sports, and style, Vuori offers stylish performance apparel.

Photo courtesy of Gorjana

Gorjana debuts its “With Love, From the Desert” collection, featuring bandana-inspired pieces and easy, everyday layers.

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