Excuse us if we are going a bit Costume Institute Gala (Met Gala) overload. We mean, this is the Goliath of all things chic and fabulous in the fashion industry and excuse us if we have heart palpitations over all the looks from last night’s event. So let’s stop all the chit chat and get to what it’s most important: judging the looks! For the full looks of the night, please check out our gallery!

The Good

Prada vs. Givenchy

Although the night belonged to Miuccia Prada and Elsa Schiaparelli – the focus for the Costume Institute Gala’s latest exhibition, Impossible Conversations, there was a war waging on between two fashion houses. Prada had many come in the garms including: Gwyneth Paltrow, Carey Mulligan, Eva Mendes and Anna Wintour but it was Givenchy that closely followed them with many celebs in the house’s scene stealing red carpet moments. Rooney Mara walked with designer Riccardo Tisci in a Givenchy Haute Couture black asymmetrical one-sleeve lace dress. Other celebs in Givenchy included: Gisele Bundchen, Coco Rocha (in a vintage number owned previously by Elizabeth Taylor) and the most jaw dropping of the night, Beyonce – who showed up last – in a combo of black lace, crystal embellishments and a train of purple feathers giving Kiss of the Spider Woman tease.

Other notable mentions in our good category: Carey Mulligan in Prada, Marion Cotillard in Dior, Eva Mendes in Prada, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Burberry, Ivanka Trump in Peter Pilotto and Anna Wintour in Prada.

Most Improved: Kristen Wiig in Stella McCartney. Kristen’s been a little lackluster on the red carpet as of yet (her low: under performing in a copper Zac Posen to last year’s Emmys). So it was nice to see Kristen embrace color in a tangerine lace Stella McCartney dress.

Solange Knowles in Rachel Roy

January Jones in Versace

Yellow Not So Mellow: Yellow was the color that really stood out on the red carpet last night. While many wore seas of nude, or blush tones, both Solange Knowles and January Jones stood out in bright hues. Solange went a tad darker in a canary number with peplum effect in a Rachel Roy dress as January Jones tapped into the future with a strong bodice Versace gown.

The “Costumey” Award: We know what you’re thinking. “Aren’t you supposed to be costumey to the Met Gala?” Well no not really. Avant Garde is acceptable but there is a difference between looking very editorial and runway-esque and looking like you came out of a period piece. Kirsten Dunst in Rodarte, we’re judging you.

Best Dressed Buyer: Linda Fargo of Bergdorf’s was the ONLY one in co-exhibitor Elsa Schiaparelli vintage design and for that we give her a round of applause.

The “Carny” Award: Yeah, hands down this goes to Florence Welch in Alexander McQueen. She looked like she escaped from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus.

Best Dressed Male: It’s Kanye West at the Met. This was a no brainer.

Failure to Launch Award: This is a tie to both Dakota Fanning and Debra Messing. Once we heard Dakota was going to wear Louis Vuitton, we thought this was her moment to wear something Victorian-esque and sexy, not look like Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie, although, she comes in tie with Debra Messing in a bland looking gold Kaufmanfranco gown. What happened to the fuchsia wearing, neon loving Debra Messing of Michael Kors yore? Come back, little Debra.

Dynamic Duo Award: We might get some slack for this, but we loved Rachel Zoe and Karolina Kurkova together in both of Rachel Zoe’s designs. It called for some much needed drama on the red carpet.

Best Dressed Couple: Gisele Bundchen in Givenchy and Tom Brady in Tom Ford. Aside from their matching slicked up do’s, both Tom and Gisele looked equally stunning. We especially loved how Tom’s oversized bowtie.

The Bad: Leading the nights fails included Bianca Brandolini D’Adda in a way too much sparkle gown and cape combo (was very Game of Thrones), a frightening looking Mary Kate Olsen and Jessica Stam in some sort or papier-mâché creation.

The Fugliest of Them All: No words can go out to Milla Jovovich. We were so confused by the propotion of her dress and it had the nerve to be too long. As one of the best dressed of the Met 2011 last year, Christina Ricci failed – miserably – in Thakoon’s bow and Jessica Chastain looked like she wore the Empire State building in her column dress.

Images via Getty

Beyonce in Givenchy Haute Couture

The 2012 Met Gala has finally arrived and this year’s fashionable red carpet was one of the best we’ve seen in a long time. From Christina Ricci’s major bow moment in Thakoon to Beyonce’s jaw dropping (late) arrival in Givenchy Haute Couture, the carpet was not for the faint of heart. In keeping with the Costume Institute’s new exhibit theme, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, many attendees turned out in their freshest Prada, while many choose to wear other designers (and even bring them as their dates). With close to 90 images, below check for all the arrivals from the 2012 Met Gala!

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Gildo Zegna chats up Eli Manning to the backdrop of silk ties.

When you think of sophisticated, impeccably well-dressed and polished men (and when don’t you?), you think of Ermenegildo Zegna. Which is why when we heard the brand was throwing a stylish soirée in honor of the opening of its new silk mill, we jumped at the chance to attend. The event, “Passion for Silk,” was to celebrate the history and culture of silk and support the Asia Society – 10 percent of proceeds were donated.

But why silk? “We decided that silk would be the cashmere of summer,” Gildo Zegna himself told us. “Silk is a rich, natural fiber – it gives a sheen to the product you wear. I think it’s going to give a different viewpoint to men’s wardrobe.” The brand’s latest collection features not just ties, but also shirts, suits, pants and more, all in silk.

Gildo, who has a thick Italian accent and is just as charming as you would expect him to be, was just as excited about the event’s collaboration with the Asia Society. “It’s an association that is in culture and in art, and is trying to put the work of Asian people together with the work of American people.” A collaboration that’s particularly timely, given today’s global business field.

And if you’re worried about silk in the summer, don’t be. Gildo says, “We created this very lightweight silk. If you weave it a certain way, it can be pretty cool for summer too.”

As for the event itself – just like the brand, it was for grown-ups only. No Arizona Tea sponsorship, no Jeffrey Campbell “Lita” boots, no live tweeting. We’re pretty sure we were the only bloggers there (we asked an associate what the brand’s twitter handle was and got crickets). One we found our bearings, we got what the invite promised us: a “multi-sensory experience.” There was “Zegna Liquid Touch,” the stunning thread painting created using Zegna’s silk thread by artist Emil Lukas. There were beautiful displays of silk everywhere. Oh, and there were also fellow party-goers Alec Baldwin, Eli Manning and Demian Bachir to up the handsome factor for the evening.

Gildo Zegna, Alec Baldwin and architect (and possible male stripper?) Peter Marino talk the talk.

Emil Lukas stands in front of “Zegna Liquid Touch,” the silk thread painting he unveiled at the event. 

Images: Zimbio

Contego, a Brooklyn-based eyewear brand, presents their spring / summer 2012 lookbook for their handcrafted acetate frames. The custom frames, fitted with stainless steel hinges and high quality CR – 39 lenses, features new styles named after literary giants such as Bellow, Hemingway, Morrison and Kipling. The collection is available online via Contego’s web store.

File this under “strange fashion news”. Menswear designer and friend to the #factor, Simon Spurr, have abruptly left his eponymous label.

WWD confirmed yesterday that the designer stepped down from his label on the heel of his announcement as last Friday of his nomination for Menswear Designer of the Year for the CFDA.

In an email to WWD, Spurr stated he “was not at liberty to say at this moment”. Yet rumors from company executives and members of press are circulating that Spurr was indeed “shocked” by the news.

This is indeed shocking news, not only for the designer’s CFDA nomination last week rather the designer has given up the rights to his own label. Since the label is so young, launched in the fall of 2006, Spurr is still wet behind the ears per industry insiders. Perhaps he may decide to design for another brand or create another collection, only time will tell. But we’re hoping he regains his namesake brand, Jil Sander style.

Image via Interview Magazine / Story via WWD

During this past London Fashion Week, menswear designer Ozwald Boateng diverted from his usual showcase of buoyancy. Instead, Boateng’s inspiration drew from the Japanese play on black and white with warm fabrics and muted tones coupled with the designer’s signature epic tailoring. All makes for a lust worthy collection sure to create a major buzz next fall.

Images via Ozwald Boateng

Impossibly fabulous design duo David & Phillipe Blond, of The Blonds, know just how to get the crowd revved up for their runway shows. With actual motorcycles, of course! When we arrived at Milk Studios last night for The Blonds’ A/W 2012 Runway Show, we were treated to a predictably outlandish crowd of goths, queens & Adam Lambert (maybe a little of both?), as well as some insane electric motorcycles from Evolve. The TRON bike (that replicates the ones in the movie) was even more interesting than the girl in the front row wearing nipple pasties and fishnet panties. Also among the front row: Robert Verdi, Miss Jay, Jay Alexander, Phillip Bloch, and right before the show started, a divalicious Lil’ Kim strolled in, wearing something sheer, sparkly and draped in white fur. Any other fashion show would have been upstaged by the craziness of these particular showgoers, but not The Blonds!

Phillipe made her entrance surrounded by hunky male models clad in leather. See for yourself in our exclusive video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Following this awesome spectacle, models strutted their stuff down the runway in biker-chic ensembles, each more over-the-top than the next. There were studded bustiers. There were sparkly minis. There were jumpsuits galore, and we loved every minute of it! Look ahead for our top picks, plus our exclusive shot of that TRON bike.

The TRON Motorcycle

Grade: A+

Images via Zimbio and lowefactor.com

It’s a Brad, Brad World is back with a fabulous and well-tailored vengeance! It’s Milan Menswear Fashion Week, and Brad and Gary are taking the town by storm. Actually, they just dress impeccably and lunch at chic cafes, but we like to be a little melodramatic sometimes. This episode was probably our favorite one yet – it was filled with adorable Brad and Gary moments as usual (could they be cuter together?), but also filled with fashion. We loved to watch Brad dish with designers share his thoughts on the runways – very timely, considering the #NYFW madness the real world is in right now. But this isn’t the real world – read ahead to see why we’re Mad For Brad’s World.

On Fashion Week: It’s Brad’s first international fashion week on his own and he’s writing a “diary” blog for Details detailing everything he sees and does. He also takes pics at the shows with his iPhone. We take pics at shows with our iPhone. We have so much in common!

On blogging: “Blogging is intense! I thought it was just taking pictures of cute things I see on the runway, but they literally want to see what I’m eating!” Preaching to the choir, buddy.

On costume changes: “I plan on changing more times than Diana Ross,” says Brad. He changes at least 3 times a day. In cars, in bathrooms, and possibly down dark alleys. We later learn that he changes so much because he likes to wear the designer’s clothing that he’s going to see. Isn’t that like wearing the t-shirt of the band whose concert you’re at? “Some people don’t think that’s really chic… but I don’t care.”

On Fashion Week accomodations: Swanky, swanky swanky! Brad and Gary’s hotel is incredibly chic. Gary finds the service to be especially spectacular – he somehow convinces himself that both the receptionist and the waitress have no idea that he’s gay, and are very in to him. Sorry, Gary, but no.

On the week’s goals: Brad’s goal is to separate himself from Rachel Zoe and build a name for himself as a big-name solo stylist. Gary’s goal is to find coffee that comes in a to-go cup. Let’s hope all are achieved!

On Neil Barrett’s collection: “99 percent of the time I’m Sandra Dee, but that 1 percent of the time I’m Danny Zuko, I’ll definitely be calling in for Neil’s pieces.”

On Brunello Cucinelli: “What I can always count on from him is exquisite tailoring, luxurious fabrics, and always a slight little twist while being supremely Italian.” Sidenote: Brunello is adorable, even though he was trying to sell Brad cargo pants. (Brad: just say no.)

On taking self portraits: Beauty takes time. Brad makes poor Gary take dozens of pictures of him in his bright green pants and coordinated blazer, causing some absolutely adorable Brad and Gary bickering. Are they not the cutest couple ever?

On Calvin Klein’s collection: “The Calvin Klein collection does not disappoint. It is the coolest, most modern sportswear you’ve ever seen.”

On Salvatore Ferragamo’s collection: “This, ladies & gentlemen, is the way I think men should dress while on vacation.”

On Versace’s collection: “It was an homage to 1990’s Gianni Versace.” Brad’s crowning moment of the trip was when he was invited backstage to meet Donatella. He gushed to her about all the pieces he loved, and was clearly thrilled to be asked back.

On Dsquared: “There’s always a lot, a lot of sex, which I love.” The runway show absolutely brings the sex, complete with ridiculously cut male dancers in leather pants and heels. We were dying for the camera to show Brad’s runway buddy Dwayne Wade’s reaction, but alas they don’t.

Next Week: Brad dresses… some teenaged girl we’ve never heard of but assume must be famous! She looks cute.

Images: Bravo

What do you get if Pearl Jam went to Bahrain and came back with furry turban wigs? Plenty much Duckie Brown A/W 2012.

Continuing with their aesthetic of voluminous trousers mixed with tailored jackets, Duckie designers Steven Cox and Daniel Silver added some much need quirk in their collection, primary in the smallest details. From fuzzy turban wigs to drop front crotch pants, it was interesting deviant from the norm of everyday menswear.

Images via lowefactor and WWD

Womenswear inspired by menswear is nothing new to the fold. We’ve seen this from ads by the Gap to the well-dressed & suited girls on The Sartorialist yet throw in an outdoorsy meets teen runaway vibe and you got something a tad different, i.e Richard Chai Love and Man A/W 2012.

Stating that he wanted to make “handsome femininity” for his A/W 2012 women’s and menswear collection, Richard Chai did just that. The gist of the collection: plenty of tweed suits (cropped & sometimes illy proportioned for his female counterparts), belted anoraks, charcoal grays all fit the bill for an outdoorsy theme, rightly so since Chai just became the creative director for outdoor gear label, Filson. Chai even managed to throw in a double duffle backpack (probably a design piece for Filson) that screamed of a Liam Neeson adventure epic in Antarctica. And we all know what happens when Liam Neeson journeys to subzero weather.

Yet outside its different more functional style of wear – the fitting was off. Despite some really good hits with a muted rosy print on tops, skirts & pants, you couldn’t tell if the pants were supposed to be jodhpurs or high-waist; which are two separate styles.

Perhaps Chai should take a crash course in tailoring from Liam Neeson when venturing into the wild.

Grade: B-

Images via lowefactor & Style.com