Published by
Features

Hundreds of McQueen Devotees Flock to Met Costume Institute Gala

Nearly 800 guests attended the Metropolitan Museum's black tie Costume Institute benefit on Monday night. Many of them were long-time Alexander McQueen fans.

The red carpet arrivals started at 6:30 P.M. with musician Janelle Monae's arrival. In her characteristic top hat and tie, she worked both sides of the media lining the covered steps of the Met.

Monae looked on as the first of the gala's organizers, Anna Wintour, who is Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, headed into the museum. Colin Firth, who was also one of the chairs of the gala, arrived shortly after Wintour.

Artist Daphne Guiness, an heiress of the Guiness family, strode up the steps of the museum. Just a few hours earlier, Guiness had dressed in a feathery Alexander McQueen outfit in Window No. 2 of Barney's, a spectacle she said was "terrifying."

Sandra Lee stood at the top of the steps admiring the addresses. Lee said she came to the gala in honor of Alexander McQueen.

"I think he's a very talented guy and I'm just sad he's not with us anymore," she said. "And so I wanted to come and celebrate him and pay my respects at such a beautiful event. I'm thrilled that Anna and the team chose to honor him."

Lee added she was thrilled that Kate Middleton wore McQueen's dress.

"I think it was elegant, sophisticated and forward, as is she," Lee said.

Fashion editor Anna dello Russo, who was wearing a tuxedo designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and an egg-shaped hat, said the Met's gala was better than the Oscars.

"I've never seen so many beautiful women dressed up like that," she said.

Fergie was wearing a dress by the designer Marchesa on Monday night. She said she watched the Royal Wedding.

"I'm a dutchess of music and there's a new dutchess, so I'm very in tune, I feel like," she said.

Other notable attendees included Mayor Bloomberg and Diana Taylor, Beyonce and Jay Z, Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Pharrell, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Burton, Gwyneth Paltrow, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Donald Trump and his wife, Stellla McCartney, Charie Rose and Barbara Walters, Jessica Alba, Demi Moore, Penelope Cruz with Oscar della Renta, Kate Hudson, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Rihanna, Mick Jagger, Michelle Phillips, Paul McCartney, Solange and Renee Zellweger.

Madonna was the last one to get to the gala just after 8 P.M.

Click below to see a slideshow of who attended and to see what they wore.

The red carpet.
The red carpet. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Musician Janelle Monae was the first to arrive at the Met's red carpet.
Musician Janelle Monae was the first to arrive at the Met's red carpet. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
We loved this cape on former <em>Vogue</em> editor André Leon Talley!
We loved this cape on former Vogue editor André Leon Talley! (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Janelle Monae looks on as Editor-in-chief of <em>Vogue</em>, Anna Wintour, enters the Met. Wintour was one of the chairs of Monday night's benefit.
Janelle Monae looks on as Editor-in-chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour, enters the Met. Wintour was one of the chairs of Monday night's benefit. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Actor Colin Firth, who cleaned up at the Oscars for his role in "The King's Speech" was also one of the chairs of the benefit.
Actor Colin Firth, who cleaned up at the Oscars for his role in "The King's Speech" was also one of the chairs of the benefit. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Artist Daphne Guiness, heiress of the Guiness family, arrived on the red carpet shortly after she dressed in Alexander McQueen in Barney's Window No. 2 Monday afternoon.
Artist Daphne Guiness, heiress of the Guiness family, arrived on the red carpet shortly after she dressed in Alexander McQueen in Barney's Window No. 2 Monday afternoon. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Guinness said dressing in the window was "terrifying"!
Guinness said dressing in the window was "terrifying"! (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Heading inside.
Heading inside. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Fashion editor Anna dello Russo wears a Sarah Burton suit made for Alexander McQueen.
Fashion editor Anna dello Russo wears a Sarah Burton suit made for Alexander McQueen. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Actress Diane Kruger and Jason Wu (who has designed dresses for Michelle Obama) on the red carpet at the Met Museum's Costume Institute gala.
Actress Diane Kruger and Jason Wu (who has designed dresses for Michelle Obama) on the red carpet at the Met Museum's Costume Institute gala. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
A dress with a serious train.
A dress with a serious train. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Across the red carpet.
Across the red carpet. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Designer Tory Burch stops by for an interview.
Designer Tory Burch stops by for an interview. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
A red dress for a red carpet.
A red dress for a red carpet. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Sarah Burton, who is now the head of the house of Alexander McQueen, twirls for the camera.
Sarah Burton, who is now the head of the house of Alexander McQueen, twirls for the camera. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Singer Taylor Swift at the bottom of the red carpet.
Singer Taylor Swift at the bottom of the red carpet. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Swift up close.
Swift up close. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Pausing in a simple white gown.
Pausing in a simple white gown. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Three dresses on the red carpet.
Three dresses on the red carpet. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Model Crystal Renn on the red carpet.
Model Crystal Renn on the red carpet. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Renn speaking for a moment to WNYC.
Renn speaking for a moment to WNYC. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
A black and white lace affair.
A black and white lace affair. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Christopher Bailey, Chief Creative Designer for Burberry.
Christopher Bailey, Chief Creative Designer for Burberry. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Fergie.
Fergie. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Fergie with her husband Josh Duhamel.
Fergie with her husband Josh Duhamel. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Maggie Gyllenhaal. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Some 'Glee' on the red carpet.
Some 'Glee' on the red carpet. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
A pregnant Jessica Alba meets friends.
A pregnant Jessica Alba meets friends. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
A stylish couple.
A stylish couple. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Thandie Newton speaks to the press as Demi Moore chats to friends in her tres-chic hat.
Thandie Newton speaks to the press as Demi Moore chats to friends in her tres-chic hat. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Jay Z helps Beyonce with her dress.
Jay Z helps Beyonce with her dress. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Penelope Cruz and Oscar De La Renta.
Penelope Cruz and Oscar De La Renta. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Sofia Vergara sports a flowered gown.
Sofia Vergara sports a flowered gown. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
No messing around with this fur!
No messing around with this fur! (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
A pregnant Kate Hudson...
A pregnant Kate Hudson... (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
An attendant fixes Christina Ricci's dress.
An attendant fixes Christina Ricci's dress. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Alicia Keys scales the red carpeted stairs with hubby Swizz Beatz.
Alicia Keys scales the red carpeted stairs with hubby Swizz Beatz. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
John Legend and Christine Telgen.
John Legend and Christine Telgen. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
The pair pauses for an interview.
The pair pauses for an interview. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Madonna was the last one to arrive at the gala.
Madonna was the last one to arrive at the gala. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Singer Mary J. Blige chills on the stairs.
Singer Mary J. Blige chills on the stairs. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Actress Michelle Williams didn't stop on her way to the party.
Actress Michelle Williams didn't stop on her way to the party. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones made an appearance.
Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones made an appearance. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
As did Gwyneth Paltrow.
As did Gwyneth Paltrow. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Rihanna (left) and Paul McCartney (right) also showed up.
Rihanna (left) and Paul McCartney (right) also showed up. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Charlie Rose.
Charlie Rose. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Solange Knowles was also at the gala.
Solange Knowles was also at the gala. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Renee Zellweger paused for a long photo op.
Renee Zellweger paused for a long photo op. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld wore black, white and shades.
Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld wore black, white and shades. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr.
Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Donald Trump and his wife stopped to give WNYC a soundbite about Osama bin Laden.
Donald Trump and his wife stopped to give WNYC a soundbite about Osama bin Laden. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
This train did not stop.
This train did not stop. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Mayor Bloomberg made time to stop by the gala.
Mayor Bloomberg made time to stop by the gala. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
The crowd hoped to catch site of the celebs.
The crowd hoped to catch site of the celebs. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
Men in traditional Scottish garb greeted the party goers.
Men in traditional Scottish garb greeted the party goers. (Abbie Fentress Swanson/WNYC)
A shot of Jennifer Hudson inside the gala.
A shot of Jennifer Hudson inside the gala. (Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art/BFAnyc.com)
Francois-Henri Pinault, Salma Hayek, Stella McCartney, Anna Wintour and Colin Firth.
Francois-Henri Pinault, Salma Hayek, Stella McCartney, Anna Wintour and Colin Firth. (Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art/BFAnyc.com)
Tom and Gisele Brady.
Tom and Gisele Brady. (Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art/BFAnyc.com)
of