The biggest night in fashion rightfully has the biggest, most beautiful, and most breathtaking ball gowns. And with this year’s Met Gala celebrating Charles James, “America’s first couturier” who was known for his grand and elaborately structured designs, the fashion could only get bigger, better, and bolder.
Below are the top 10 belles who really brought the three Bs with their ball gowns at the 2014 Costume Institute Gala. This is the white-tie dress code — mixed with a dash of Met Gala fashion creativity — done right.
1. Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar de la Renta
Second to walk the red carpet after Anna Wintour, Sarah Jessica Parker set the bar high in her custom Oscar de la Renta ball gown with a black velvet peplum and a white satin ball skirt. A row of white-covered buttons, a large check design, and the designer’s signature in red on the hem made the back every bit as photogenic as the front.
Sarah Jessica Parker attends the ‘Charles James: Beyond Fashion’ Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2014 in New York City
2. Karolina Kurkova in Marchesa
With a huge tent-like silhouette and an engulfing floral print, only a supermodel like Karolina Kurkova could have made this Marchesa Spring 2011 gown as breathtaking as it was.
Karolina Kurkova attends the ‘Charles James: Beyond Fashion’ Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2014 in New York City
3. Liu Wen in Zac Posen
Model Liu Wen stole the spotlight in a Zac Posen creation with paneled structuring that made the ball skirt even more voluminous.
Liu Wen attends the ‘Charles James: Beyond Fashion’ Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2014 in New York City
4. Dita von Teese in Zac Posen
Ever the inspiring muse Dita von Teese brought old Hollywood glamour in a Zac Posen mermaid gown with red-orange accents like only she can.
Dita von Teese attends the ‘Charles James: Beyond Fashion’ Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2014 in New York City
5. Emmy Rossum in Carolina Herrera
Emmy Rossum was springtime epitomized in a Carolina Herrera gown with pink-and-blue flowers printed against a cheery yellow background.
Emmy Rossum attends the ‘Charles James: Beyond Fashion’ Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2014 in New York City
6. Sarah Silverman in Zac Posen
Sarah Silverman was the surprise of the night. The funny woman channeled pure elegance in her bordeaux-colored Zac Posen ball gown. She still couldn’t resist cracking some jokes, though. When a reporter asked her how her dress felt, she jokingly replied, “It feels like f—king second skin.”
Sarah Silverman attends the ‘Charles James: Beyond Fashion’ Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2014 in New York City
7. Maggie Q in Zac Posen
Maggie Q looks sensational in black, and she knows it. She rounds up the Zac Posen muses on our list in her black cap-sleeved gown with a curtain-like draped ball skirt.
Maggie Q attends the ‘Charles James: Beyond Fashion’ Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2014 in New York City
8. Karlie Kloss in Oscar de la Renta
Karlie Kloss took us back to more glamorous times in her Oscar de la Renta fall 2014 strapless gown with gold embroidery. The supermodel couldn’t help but show a touch of her playful personality through black leather opera gloves.
Karlie Kloss attends the ‘Charles James: Beyond Fashion’ Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2014 in New York City
9. Hailee Steinfeld in Prabal Gurung
A racerback cut and inseam pockets made the formal ball gown appropriate for 17-year-old Hailee Steinfeld. Her Prabal Gurung piece also had the same Victorian-themed row of buttons at the back, just like on Sarah Jessica Parker’s gown.
Hailee Steinfeld attends the ‘Charles James: Beyond Fashion’ Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2014 in New York City
10. Ashley Olsen in Gianfranco Ferré and Mary-Kate Olsen in Chanel
Many might disagree with our choice of putting Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen on our list, but they really owned their floor-length gowns. Ashley’s military-inspired vintage Gianfranco Ferré frock received structuring from a bustle at the back. Mary-Kate’s vintage Chanel gown with formal pinstripes contrasting with the casually tied self-belt made us choose it over other traditional ball gowns.
Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen attend the ‘Charles James: Beyond Fashion’ Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2014 in New York City
Credit: Andres Otero/SIPA/Rob Rich/Michael Carpenter/WENN/Liu Wen's Instagram