Next Monday, May 6, is the Costume Institute gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It’s the year’s biggest fashion party, and this year’s theme is “Punk: Chaos to Couture.”
The Costume Institute gala is many things: It is a barometer of the famous and powerful, a critical fund-raiser for the museum, a testament to the muscle of Ms. Wintour, who is a chairwoman. But one important thing that it is not is a costume party. Some original punks are expected to attend, including Ms. Westwood (accompanied by the actress-model Lily Cole), but most, it is safe to assume, will not literally be wearing Mohawks or garbage bags while they are looking at mannequins dressed in the same. Will they?
While the museum will not confirm who will attend until Monday night, things do tend to leak. As usual, the star power will be overwhelming, and while things can always change, those rumored to be coming (spoiler alert!) include Jennifer Lopez with Michael Kors, Gwyneth Paltrow with Valentino, and Jennifer Lawrence and Marion Cotillard with Dior. Alexander Wang is said to be working on a custom Balenciaga look for Julianne Moore.
Some dates are sure to become talking points, like Debbie Harry and Nicki Minaj with Tommy Hilfiger, or the Fanning sisters, Elle and Dakota, with the Mulleavy sisters, Kate and Laura, of Rodarte. Joseph Altuzarra is bringing Allison Williams, Brian Atwood has Elizabeth Banks, Christopher Kane has Stella Tennant, and Peter Copping has Carolyn Murphy. Emma Roberts is attending with Diane von Furstenberg, Jessica Alba with Tory Burch, and Jaime King and Julianne Hough will be the guests of Topshop. Solange Knowles is coming with Humberto Leon and Carol Lim of Kenzo. Gisele Bündchen is said to be trying on an Anthony Vaccarello. Riccardo Tisci and Rooney Mara, two of the chairpersons, are coming together, so presumably she will be wearing Givenchy. And there will be many, many more.
