The 2016 Met Gala Theme: Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology.
Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology.  This wedding ensemble is from Chanel’s fall 2014 haute couture collection.  It is made of a scuba knot that was machine-sewn but finished by hand, while the design of the cape was hand-drawn by Karl Lagerfeld and then digitized to give it a pixilated feel.  Its rhinestones were heat-printed, then accented with hand-sewn pearls and gemstones. This is described by Andrew Bolton, curator at the Anna Wintour Costume Center, Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Every spring, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute holds one of the most glamorous and exclusive nights in New York City: an annual fundraiser that started in 1946. The 2016 Met Gala, fashion’s biggest night, occurred on May 2nd.

The 2016 Met Gala: 80,000 red roses, 200,000 red silk roses and laser-cut ;ace for the Metropolitan Museum's Great Hall by benefit event designer, Raul Àvila.
A 65-foot structure rises from the center of the space of 80,000 red roses, 200,000 red silk roses, and a laser-cut ace for the Metropolitan Museum’s Great Hall by benefit event designer Raul Àvila.  Image credit:  Taylor Jewell.Vogue Magazine.

This year’s theme was Manus x Machina:  Fashion in an Age of Technology.  Andrew Bolton, the curator of the Costume Insitute, explained the theme: “Traditionally, the distinction between the haute couture and prêt-à-porter was based on the handmade and the machine-made. Technology affects everything we do every day. This year’s exhibit will examine how fashion is celebrated with a tech theme.”

2016 Met Gala Dinner table covered in lavender linen with custom-designed charger plates featuring a modern take on the rose motif. In the center of the table, a grouping of tall pillar candles nestled among red, burgundy, and lavender roses in silver vessels. Image credit Taylor Jewell/Vogue Magazine.
The 2016 Met Gala dinner table was covered in lavender linen with custom-designed charger plates featuring a modern take on the rose motif. In the center of the table, a grouping of tall pillar candles nestled among red, burgundy, and lavender roses in silver vessels. Image credit Taylor Jewell/Vogue Magazine.
16-foot wall of red roses backs the receiving line at the base of the Great Hall stairs while urns with cherry blossoms line the room at the 2016 Met Gala.
A 16-foot wall of red roses backs the receiving line at the base of the Great Hall stairs, while urns with cherry blossoms line the room at the 2016 Met Gala.  Image credit:  Taylor Jewell//Vogue Magazine.
Anna Wintour in an ornate Chanel Haute Couture dress with fringe at the 2016 Met Gala.
Co-Chair Anna Wintour in an ornate Chanel Haute Couture with fringe at the 2016 Met Gala.  Getty images.

I didn’t see much fashion inspiration in my age group save for Cindy Crawford, who showed elegance and style for the over-50 set.

Model Cindy Crawford in Balmain at the 2016 Met Gala.
Model Cindy Crawford in Balmain at the 2016 Met Gala.

 

2016 Met Gala Chairs: Anna WIntour, Jonathan Ive, Muiccia Prada, Idris Elba, Taylor Swift and Nicholas Ghesquière. Image credit: Taylor Jewell/Vogue Magazine.
2016 Met Gala Chairs: Anna WIntour, Jonathan Ive, Muiccia Prada, Idris Elba, Taylor Swift and Nicholas Ghesquière. Image credit: Taylor Jewell/Vogue Magazine.

This year’s Costume Institute co-chairs were actor Idris Elba, Apple’s chief design officer Jonathan Ive, singer Taylor Swift, and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.   Honorary chairs included designers Nicholas Ghesquière, Karl Lagerfeld, and Miuccia Prada.

In case you didn’t see last year’s red carpet for “China:  Through the Looking Glass,” here are my favorite red carpet looks of the evening with their interpretation of the theme:

Helen Mirren at the 2015 Met Gala.
Actress Helen Mirren in Dolce & Gabbana at the 2015 Met Gala.

 

Actress Julianna Moore in Givenchy Couture at the 2015 Met Gala.
Academy Award winner Julianna Moore in Givenchy Couture at the 2015 Met Gala.
Journalist Katie Couric in Carmen Marc Valvo at the 2015 Met Gala
Journalist Katie Couric in Carmen Marc Valvo at the 2015 Met Gala
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 04: Anna Wintour in Chanel attends the "China: Through The Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 04: Anna Wintour in Chanel attends the “China: Through The Looking Glass” Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Singer and Actress Cher in Marc Jacobs at the 2015 Met Gala.
Singer and Actress Cher in Marc Jacobs at the 2015 Met Gala.

What have you noticed about my favorite stunning red carpet looks? All of the women are over 50 and look fabulous! I found it encouraging to see them in attendance.

According to the Met’s website exhibition overview, Manus X Machina will feature more than 100 examples of haute couture and avant-garde ready-to-wear, dating from the 1880s to a present-day Chanel suit. The exhibition will also reflect on the founding of haute couture in the 19th century, when the sewing machine was invented, and the emergence of a distinction between the hand (manus) and the machine (machine) at the onset of industrialization and mass production.

The Anna Wintour Costume Center gallery will present a series of ‘in process” workshops, including a 3D-printing workshop where visitors will witness the creation of #D-printing garments during the exhibition.

This year’s exhibit opens May 3 and closes August 14, 2016. I look forward to attending and sharing my experience on the blog.

Have a fabulous week!

Siggy