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There was some understandable hand-wringing before the Met Gala about whether guests would overdo the “China: Through the Looking Glass” theme to the point of cultural appropriation. Kaiser pointed out that many of the guests, like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, have had issues with inadvertent racism and cultural appropriation in the past. For the most part, the guests who bothered with the theme did so in ways that were appreciative rather than running roughshod over tradition. Sarah Jessica Parker’s look was over the top, for instance, but it didn’t rely on stereotypes and was generally well received. Enter Kris Jenner. She was in Balmain, who also designed Justin Bieber’s sparkly jacket, which Bedhead will cover later.

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Kris’s dress is a decent enough tribute to the theme. She could have done fine with the dress and some subtle styling, but instead she overdid it with obnoxious dangling earrings, a giant gold belt, gold tipped shoes, and cat eye makeup that emphasizes her already pinched face. This is a bad interpretation of the theme, I’ll just leave it at that.

In contrast we have the venerable Carolina Herrera and Zang Ziyi in an incredible white cap sleeve gown with a mandarin collar and some jeweled poppies along the neckline. This is how you do the theme. I’ve always loved Herrera’s gowns, which I came to know through Rene Zellweger’s loyalty to the designer. I’m into very classic, borderline preppy styles and Herrera almost always brings it.

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Also in Herrera is Lily Aldridge whose nod to the theme was a silver koi clutch. Koi fish are Japanese, not Chinese, which isn’t that big of a deal but she did keep kissing the accessory and holding it up. Great gown and impressive styling.

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Seth Myers’s wife, Alexi Ashe Meyers, was also in Hererra, in a kind of abstract water print dress. These two are so sweet together.

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I’m throwing in Chloe Moretz at the end. She also got it wrong but it looks like Coach’s Stuart Vevers didn’t even try to design for the theme. Chloe represents Coach and is wearing a custom gown by Vevers. I can’t seem to quit their bags no matter how hard I try, but this gown helps. It looks like a nice napkin folded out on the table and it’s not formal enough for the event.

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