Stars shine at the MET Costume Institute Gala 2009

It was in New York City yesterday that all the most beautiful stars came out to play dressed in their best gowns to make an attendance at the fashion equivalent of the Oscars: The prestigious “Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion” Costume Institute Gala held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The glamorous star-studded event was co-hosted by none other than supermodel and fashion icon Kate Moss. Kate certainly stole the show in a striking Gold Toga and matching headdress, and if that wasn't enough to capture the spotlight - she was also accompanied on the red carpet by world famous fashion designer and personal friend Marc Jacobs.


My favourite dress of the night has to be Ashley Olsen's beautiful white dress which was surprisingly her own creation. To me Ashley looks almost like an old Hollywood style painting in this dress.

Following at a close second was Kate Bosworth's black lace Stella McCartney dress.

My prize for the most outrageous outfit goes to Madonna, yes it had to be her! The 51 year old singer turned up at the Gala in thigh-high leather fetish boots and some bizzare turquoise headgear.

Agyness Deyn attended the Gala looking like a tall, skinny version of Marilyn Monroe, only Agyness! Rihanna ensured that she stood out wearing a Dolce and Gabbana jacket which was charactarised by accentuated shoulder pads. The ordinarily sleek Victoria Beckham wore a big black pair of dominatrix/fetish style Marc Jacobs heels of which I am not a fan. Madonna's fetish style Marc Jacobs boots had an identical heel.

I wasn't at all convinced by Tyra Bank's strange hairdo which looked like a hat on her head, however she made no apologies for it and wore the style with confidence.




My favourite accessory for the night was Actress Rachel Bilson's cute shiny Art Deco Clutch purse.

Leonardo's girl, Israeli model Bar Refaeli gets my vote for the best all-rounder. Bar showed everybody just how lucky Leo is to have bagged the Sports Illustrated Covergirl. Despite wearing very little make-up her face was absolutely flawless, Bar has an amazing figure and has the blessing of perfect pins. I love Bar's Marchesa mini-dress, a flattering choice. I just couldn't fault her!

As for the most beautiful couple, I think it's a close contest between couples Tom + Gisele and Jessica + Justin. My vote goes for newlyweds Tom + Gisele, Gisele's blue mini-dress is simple and understated, yet incredibly chic. My vote was swung by the visible chemistry between the newlyweds, Gisele's happiness makes her even more beautiful.



I've posted photographs of some stars in their outfits below. Where I could identify the Designers I've mentioned their names. Take a look and enjoy...

(images are courtesy of JustJared.com. Though they take a little longer to download, JustJared have plenty more so head to JustJared if you want to check the photo's out in more detail and a larger format)

Kate Moss and Marc Jacobs

Ashley Olsen wears her own creation





Ashley Olsen wears her own creation







Mary-Kate Olsen wears Christian Lacroix.







Mary-Kate Olsen wears Christian Lacroix.






Anne Hathaway in Marc Jacobs




Rihanna: Dolce & Gabbana


Rihanna: Dolce & Gabbana






Victoria Beckham in Louis Vuitton





Agyness Deyn




Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake

Jessica Biel

Jessica Biel

Tyra Banks Badgley Mischka Couture

Gisele Bunchen and Tom Brady

Eva Mendez wears Calvin Klein

Eva Mendez wears Calvin Klein

Madonna in Louis Vuitton

Madonna in Louis Vuitton

Rachel Bilson

Rachel Bilson

Socks and Heels

I'll take you back to the 2004 Autumn Winter Collection where Socks and Heels were worn on the Cacharel, Marni and Dior Runways. We were told back then by 'Vogue' that this style was going to be a massive hit! I'm not sure about you, but I hadn't seen anybody in person donning the 'short sock' with heels look over the past few years until very recently. Yes people have been wearing 'over the knee socks' for a while, but short socks? Not so much.

Everybody has a their own unique style nowadays, street fashion quite simply isn't as structured and regimented as it used to be and I love that. People aren't afraid to be quirky and experiment with different genre's of dress such as Vintage, Retro, Brick Lane, Punk, Festival, Rock n Roll, ... (I could go on for a while). Perhaps this is why Socks and Heels fit in so well now in 2008 as opposed to 2004. Or perhaps it's just another case of designers doing their job rather well and foreseeing the trend waaay ahead of us mere mortals.

So, how to wear it on the Street?

Wearing socks and heels with a dress or something pretty can look kind of 'bobby-sock' Lolita cute as Peaches Geldof does it. Don't be too afraid though, the 'Lolita look' is totally in at the moment with the likes of Alexa Chung confessing that Lolita is one of her favourite icons and stating she loves dressing like a child: 'I'm dressed like a five-year-old' she said in her interview with the Telegraph .

If cute is definitely not your thing, then you can do as Chloe Sevigny does here and team socks and heels up with a bit of Vintage, Rock or Retro gear producing a quirky yet undoubtedly stylish look.

As with any trend, you need to adapt it to your own individual style to get a result that you feel comfortable with. There aren't many boundaries as to which style shoe you can wear with socks - though I personally wouldn't wear the pointed court shoe with socks. This is a great day or night time look, so I say go to town with it (try different colour socks and outfits), don't analyze it too much, as long as you feel comfortable and confident I'm sure you'll look great!

Cacharel, Marni and Dior runway 2004

Marilyn Manson's flame and beauty Evan Rachel Wood looks gorgeous in socks and heels

Adventurous Agyness wears her socks with Oxfords, though I'm sure I'd have been able to find a photo somewhere with Agy wearing heels and socks!

Taylor Momsen (Gossip Girls) looks stunning pictured here with Polka Dot Socks and cute Red Heels. The stylists imagination pulled off here!

I'm with the band!

This season is going to see the return of bands such as Led Zepplin, AC\DC and The Police. No, no they’re not doing a ‘Take That’ and reforming, they’re appearing across the chests of stars such as Kylie, Lindsey Lohan and Carmen Electra.

Stars have adopted the look with the likes of Kylie supporting 'The Police' and Lindsay supporting 'Iron Maiden' with their retro Tee's.

As for wear to buy them, vintage is always best. Beyond Retro and Rokit are both great shops to pick up a vintage band tee, but be prepared to pay a little more for the truly retro bands.

If rummaging through racks of Vintage clothes isn’t your thing, the Internet is always a good place to start. Moretvicar.com is a great website where you can buy vintage t-shirts and they come in both men’s and women’s (Men’s t-shirts are easily adaptable and can give you a cool oversized look).

I love this Sex Pistols t-shirt, with diamantes to add a little femininity to the look, for £35.






















And of course, ASOS is not far behind with a wide range of Junk Food t-shirts. (which pay homage to not just bands but to superheroes too!) including
this AC/DC t-shirt (£40)
























Or you can follow in Kylie’s footsteps and pick up this Police offering



















If you are still unsure on how to wear this trend, here are my 5 Band Tee rules:

1) Retro is best: Make sure you stick to old bands rather than contemporary ones. If your Tee looks too new then you’ve got the style wrong.


2) Don’t wear it too tight. Why not go a size or two bigger? For an evening look tuck into a high-waisted pencil skirt or with super skinny jeans and killer heels.

3) For a day look, team with a pair of converse or ripped denim shorts, tights and pumps. If you’re a little more adventurous, why not follow in Aggy’s footsteps and team with a pair of tailored trousers and braces.

4) If you can’t find the exact style you like, you can always customise! Slash the neck line for a truly 80’s look (set to be big this season!)

5) Finally and most importantly, keep it simple and relaxed. To avoid looking contrived keep hair and make up to a minimum but perhaps add some gothic dark nails.

Post written by Alexa Gilbert
London College of Fashion