Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala Red Carpet: Divas and A-Listers

Red Carpet Royalty.....

Diva Supreme!
(and I'm not talking about Ms. Andre Leon Talley trying to upstage her from behind!!)
Anna Wintour in Chanel Haute Couture

Monday Night was the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala honoring the memory and amazing work of the late Alexander McQueen. This event happened only days after the House of Alexander McQueen ( headed by Sara Burton) was revealed as the designer of Katherine Middleton's Wedding Gown. So you can only imagine the excitement already swirling around in the air.

The Met Gala is always such a fun Red Carpet, because it is thought of as the "Academy Awards" of the Fashion World. The Oscars are often given the label of being safe and cookie cutter by the fashion world, so this is their opportunity to put their money where their mouth is and really give us something to talk about!!

But before we get to some of the more crazy ensembles, I thought I would highlight a few of the A-listers and Divas that really looked great on the RC.

Diane Kruger in Jason Wu: She looks breathtaking and very Old Hollywood Glamour. Love how she is workin' the slit and also the return of the strappy, more delicate heels.

Ginnifer Goodwin in Topshop Unique: Love the color and Ginnifer always knows how to highlight that fabulous face. She accented it well with that STUNNING Van Cleef and Arpels necklace.

Madonna in Stella McCartney: While I am not a huge fan of this dress, Madonna is certainly vibe-ing 1930's Hollywood Glam. We are seeing a return of the Silk Charmeuse Gowns lately and there is no doubt that Madonna is looking flawless in the close-up image above.

Ashley Olsen in Vintage Dior: Love the unexpected quality of the dress on Ashley. While she stayed within her color comfort zone (black and white), it is great to see her reveal a bit more skin and style her hair in an up-do. She looks like a Parisian Chanteuse!

Mary Kate Olsen in Vintage Givenchy: Those Olsen Girls love their vintage! Love the color and ethereal quality. The Emerald jewelry is a perfect accent.

Jennifer Lopez in Gucci Fall 2011: Love this Gucci Collection and love Jennifer in this 70's inspired chiffon halter dress. Not everyone can pull off that floral bolero, but Jennifer, always the Diva, makes it work effortlessly.

Kerry Washington in Escada: Who knew her body was this amazing?! Love the color, cut and fabrication of this gown. If only she could have stopped the hairstylist from making her look like a poodle! When in doubt, pull the hair back into a Chignon!!

Ashley Greene in Custom Donna Karan: Shoot me now, but I have actually never seen a Twilight Movie, so I wasn't completely familiar with Ashley. But she certainly made an impact on me with this gorgeous Custom Donna Karan Gown. Not a style you would normally see from DK, but she looked absolutely radiant in the dress.

Up next....The Wacky, Crazy and "Oh No She Didn't!" of the Met Gala Red Carpet!...

2011 Tribeca Film Festival: Actress Rachel Bilson in Chanel Haute Couture!

Red Carpet Pretty of The Week...

Actress Rachel Bilson in Chanel Haute Couture Spring 201o, 2011 Tribeca Film Festival

Last night was the Debut of Karl Lagerfeld and Rachel Bilson's Original Film Series Inspired by Magnum Ice Cream (say what??), at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. Actress Rachel Bilson looked soooo pretty in a Chanel Spring 2010 Haute Couture dress (yes, kids HAUTE COUTURE and maybe worth about $30,000 if she were to actually buy it!).

Karl Lagerfeld was there, in his black suit "uniform" and signature high-collared dress shirt and along with...

A flowery Anna Wintour (she is embracing a Spring 2011 Trend 110%!!!). I love a woman in prints, especially when she can get away with it! She's like "Umm, kids, I am here!! Step aside!"

Anna Wintour, Hamish Bowles and San Francisco's Creme de la Creme: Balenciaga de Young Museum Party!

Viva España...in San Francisco!

Toreador Entrance: Vogue Magazine European Editor-at-Large Hamish Bowles at de Young Museum "Balenciaga and Spain" Grand Opening Party

This past weekend, I flew to San Francisco to make a special appearance at FIDM San Francisco's "Open House" (soon, a BLOG post on that!). There was something else that happened over the weekend in San Francisco which I unfortunately didn't get tickets to (or get on the VIP List for--insert sad face):

The Opening Night Bash for the de Young Museum's much-awaited "Balenciaga and Spain" Exhibition. Even though I didn't attend (I had to fly back to LA that night), I still found photos of the FABULOUS event. The Exhibition, curated by Vogue Magazine's European Editor-at-Large Hamish Bowles with assistance from Fine Arts Museum Curator Jill D'Alessandro, just opened and will run through July 4Th. It spans the couturier's life and includes 120 pieces. I am returning to the City by the Bay in late June so...YOU KNOW I will be going so I'll have a complete report of the exhibition--I hope!

And now onto the Party: Well, as expected it was a "Who's Who" of San Francisco Elite who showed up, all decked out in their finest Oscar de la Renta's, Carolina Herrera's and Ralph Rucci's. All the last names that dot the grand homes of the Marina, Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights, Hillsborough: Getty, Traina, Wilsey, Hale...they were all in attendance for this black tie-and-gown affair. I'm sure the gown departments at Union Square's Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue were abuzz this last week! No borrowing here kids, it's all purchased! Even Anna Wintour made the transcontinental flight from NYC to San Francisco for the opening.

Here are some highlights of the Party Guests and their Couture:

Chatting Divas: Vogue Editor Anna Wintour (in Balenciaga sequined gown by Designer Nicolas Ghesquiere) and Fine Arts Museum/FAM Board President Dede Wilsey (who also has a Museum Court named after her!) wearing Oscar de la Renta lace and polka-dotted ball gown.

SF Doyennes: Exhibition Sponsor, the ever-elegant Denise Fitch, wearing Ralph Rucci silk tunic with feathers, and SF Retail Icon, Wilkes Bashford

All In Black: (Left to Right) Rosetta Getty, her husband, actor Balthazar Getty, Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom

De Young Best Dressed: Serena Perkins, wife of Alec Perkins of Perkins Investment Management, wearing salmon pink silk taffeta Carolina Herrera

Blue Blood Class: Emma Fisher (left, in Rodarte) with her grandmother, exhibition co-sponsor (and Gap co-founder) Doris Fisher and mom, Randi Fisher

Mantillas: Alexis Traina, with her husband, Fine Arts Museum/FAM Trustee Trevor Traina and singer Vanessa Carlton

Flamenco Couture: Owner of "Ricky's Exceptional Treasures" Ebay Vintage Couture Store Ricky Serbin and Nob Hill Gazette social columnist Jennifer Raiser, wearing vintage Oscar de la Renta corseted red-and-black printed silk ball-gown

Perfect Couple: Investor and venture capitalist Bandel Carano and his wife, Paula Carano ,in a vintage Balenciaga black gown that looks very similar to...

This Balenciaga flamenco-inspired evening dress from a Vogue editorial in 1951. Photo by Henry Clarke for Vogue.

Juicy Feathers: Juicy Couture founders Gela Nash-Taylor and Pamela Skaist-Levy wearing matching black feathered vests

Black Swan Beauties: Rodarte designers Kate Mulleavy and her sister, Laura Mulleavy

A-List: Actress Gywneth Paltrow with Fine Arts Museum Trustee Juliet de Baubigny

Click Below for Video of Anna Wintour being interviewed as she arrives to the Grand Opening Bash: