Diane Kruger: I super-loved her hairdo, knotted and a little teased and dipped in pink. She wore punky eye makeup that managed to still look flattering and pretty. I don’t ordinarily like earcuffs (they’re too punky), but here it’s perfect. She also carried a spiky purse that I liked. Plus, she’s beautiful.Alright. I wasn’t going to do a story on this year’s punk-themed Met Ball because on first viewing I was a little bored. There were the usual suspects: those pretty glamorous gowns that are so safe they are like safety nets on the red carpet (and just on the occasion when it was actually safe to go with a safety pin or three hundred!); the unflattering sartorial errors that make one cluck one’s tongue and pitiably click the forward arrow; and those that are such car crashes one is simply spellbound.
But there were a couple of memorable outfits that actually struck me enough (SJP’s headdress, Allison William’s puddle of ink) that I decided to have another look for just a few gowns or accessories that I truly found arresting – in a good, or intriguing way.
Sarah Jessica Parker: that Roman Centurion’s helmet x punk mohawk by Philip Treacy is pure fun, and that fishtail braid is great. I really liked her tartan over-the-knee boots, but I think it is entirely unnecessary to reveal one’s crotch in a ballgown, so I refuse to grace SNAP’s pages with it. I found my way to British Vogue’s gallery (and was side-tracked occasionally by the numerous unkind comments left by others). Click here for the lot.
It may not surprise my readers to hear I am not particularly attracted to the punk aesthetic, so I can sympathise with those women who went for glamour with just a touch of punk in the form of some spiky accessory, or lurid eye makeup. It is a ball, after all.
Here are the pictures that made me go “Wow.” That’s cool, that’s striking, and that’s simply glamorous.
(Images from Vogue, Just Jared, and Accoutrement Yourself. Click images for sources.)
Miranda Kerr: she is, of course, gorgeous in her Michael Kors gown, but those crossed bands of contrasting fabric are just a great graphic statement, especially with that stark black against her fair skin. I adore the spiky evening bag too.
Allison Williams: this Altuzarra gown is admittedly more goth than punk, but look at the way the gown spills over the red carpet just like ink. Fabulous!
Sienna Miller and Cara Delevingne: if it wasn’t for the enormous quantity of spiky studs, these Burberry gowns would be boring. The women look especially great side by side. I love Cara’s spiky jewellery and Sienna’s headband is so much fun (and a bit Statue of Liberty too). 
Anja Rubik: oh! I laughed aloud in delight when I saw this picture. So very eighties, so very punky! Shocking lipstick red leather; the pointy collar and cuffs and studded/grommeted hem are great details in this Anthony Vaccarello dress. Just so much fun. (Although not a ballgown, true. But punks break the rules after all.)
And I’ll end with another shot of Diane Kruger’s hairstyle, this time from the rear. Pretty in punk … I am so sorry, I just couldn’t resist one last pun(k).
Monday, May 13, 2013 at 11:59AM 
Serial #: 0079
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