McQ At The Met

The late fashion designer Alexander 'Lee' McQueen was honoured again this weekend at the annual Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

While previous themes have included 'Model as Muse' and 'Superheroes', the McQ dress code actually left a lot of attendees in trouble - as all of the best dresses were on display at the event and therefore not available for guests to wear! This left many to instead co-ordinate their outfits with their designer dates:

One of my personal favourite pairings - Blake Lively and Karl Lagerfeld - and one of my favourite gowns - a beige tulle sari-style embroidered dress with chiffon sash from Chanel's A/W 09/10 Haute Couture Collection

Sarah Jessica Parker continued to show her loyalty to the McQueen label (as a friend to the designer she has worn many of his creations over the last 12 months) in an archive look - a silver crystal beaded column dress with high neck and bracelet sleeves, the finale outfit from the A/W 05 collection





Those unable to get their hands on an original look but who still wanted to wear a piece from the honoured design house went for Sarah Burton designs - Salma Hayek, the event's honorary co-chair, wore a peach organza couture gown from the pre-S/S 11 collection

While Naomi Campbell, a close friend of Alexander's, had a one-off white tulle crystal embroidered couture gown created especially for her by the very busy Ms B

 





Ever the diplomat, Jennifer Lopez plumped for fuchsia Gucci (she is currently a spokes model for the brand, which is owned by the same luxury brands conglomerate as the house of McQueen) with a matching shrug strewn with silk flowers




After her disastrous outing at a post Oscars party Madonna looked radiant in a Stella McCartney floor sweeping satin gown. With it's 1930s referencing it was also a clever nod to the lead heroine of Madge's upcoming movie 'WE'

Other star's chose dresses by rival designers but with an undeniable McQueen feel

 - Beyonce in Peter Dundas at Emilio Pucci - the black velvet, corsetry, heavy gold embroidery and tailored high neck are all nods to Lee's final collection -

and if all else failed wore something that would make them look drop-dead-gorgeous

Diane Kruger in a nude hand embroidered chantilly lace body and thigh split skirt by Jason Wu

Florence Welch in draped YSL with sheer sleeves in white silk muslin paired with a white organza and feather coat

Gwyneth Paltrow in a nude long sleeved Stella McCartney column dress