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Some Met Galas have themes that make dressing for the red carpet pretty literal: punk, China, superheroes. "Manus x Machina: Fashion In an Age of Technology" is... loose. The exhibit itself explores the evolution of dressmaking from handmade (manus) to machine made (machina), and all the different ways the two can work together. It's the How Stuff Works of Costume Institute exhibits. How, then, is someone supposed to dress for that?

"Tech white tie" was the dress code assigned by the invitation — still wholly unclear — and left to the interpretation of the guests. Most gala attendees went with a general retrofuture feel in shiny looks resembling liquid metal, bodices that outlined the bust like robotic chest armor, even more literal robot references, latex-like fabric, and more than one count of silvery hair. Tech accessory of the night goes straight to Mr. Orlando Bloom, who wore a Tamagotchi on his suit jacket.

beyonce-met-gala-2016-red-carpet-givenchy

Clockwise from top left: Kim Kardashian-West and Kanye West in Balmain (note Kanye's eye-altering contact lenses); Zayn in Versace suit and Gigi Hadid in Tommy Hilfiger; Beyoncé in Givenchy; Lady Gaga in Versace

The best example of true fashion-tech innovation goes to Marchesa, who didn't visually reference abstract futurism, but rather employed a robot to design a gown. The fashion brand fed IBM's cognitive computer system Watson hundreds of images of past designs, so it could learn the Marchesa look. True to Marchesa form, Watson turned out a romantic dress with layers of tulle, a nipped waist, and a pretty deep V neckline, worn by model Karolina Kurkova. The dress discreetly wove in LED lights that were tuned to respond with color to Twitter chatter, based on the tone of messages around the Met Gala.

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Another clear standout was the light-up ballgown Zac Posen designed for Claire Danes. In bright light, the Cinderella-esque dress appears pale blue; by dark the fiber optic-woven organza lights up. Like Marchesa's effort, the style of the look is true to Posen, with the tech element adding an unexpected thrill rather than dictating the aesthetic.

A photo posted by @zacposen on May 2, 2016 at 7:07pm PDT

Tory Burch worked with Swarovski on some new techniques less impressive than what Marchesa or Zac Posen accomplished, but still noteworthy. The designer dressed Emma Roberts, Freida Pinto, and Mindy Kaling, each with a variation of crystal innovation. Roberts's chiffon dress was embellished with heat-sealed crystal rock fabric, Pinto's bonded crepe dress was finished with color-changing crystals, and Kaling carried a clutch finished with those same color-changing crystals. Batteries and "multi-pixel technology" were hidden in seams and embedded in border embellishments, the brand explained. The looks were true to the designer's style, with a tech add-on, if a little gimmicky. A participation trophy goes to Burch.

A video posted by Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) on May 2, 2016 at 3:59pm PDT

Kaling demonstrates her clutch's color changing crystals.

Another future-minded effort came in the form of sustainable and recycled materials (and not just, like, vintage Valentino). Calvin Klein collaborated with the Green Carpet Challenge on all three of its Met Gala looks, worn by Lupita Nyong'o, Emma Watson, and Margot Robbie. The green, sequined dress Nyong'o wore (topped by a fabulously alien quadruple topknot hopefully hiding an antenna or something) used three fabrics all woven from yarn made from recycled plastic bottles. The zippers on her dress were also made from recycled materials, and the inner bustier was crafted in organic cotton. Watson's five-piece ensemble — kind a bustier-and-trousers thing with a train — was also crafted entirely from fabrics that were once plastic bottles. Robbie's white column dress was made of organic silk with zippers made from recycled materials.

H&M got in on the eco-friendly thing, too, with the dark blue dress it made for model Amber Valletta. The fast fashion brand wasn't particularly detailed in what "an elegant look in sustainable materials" meant, but did note that the dress's 1,000+ silk petals were organic, and the sequins were made of recycled plastic.

While some designers took the tech theme as an opportunity to reinterpret 1968's Barbarella: Queen of the Galaxy or imagine looks fit for SpaceX's 2018 trip to Mars, this group showed us what the real, near future of fashion and technology can look like.

Every look from the 2016 Met Gala red carpet:

Beyoncé wears a latex-like gown by Givenchy. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
A closer look. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Co-chair of the evening Taylor Swift wears a Louis Vuitton dress and sandals and Eva Fehren jewels. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Kim Kardashian wears Balmain, while Kanye West wears Givenchy, Fear of God jeans, and accessorizes with blue contact lenses. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Vuitton brand ambassador Selena Gomez wears a Louis Vuitton dress, boots, and clutch. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Katy Perry wears a Prada gown, black lips, and a Tomagatchi. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Zayn wears Versace with robot arms, while Gigi Hadid wears a Tommy Hilfiger gown.
Blake Lively wears a Burberry gown. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Andy Cohen and Sarah Jessica Parker, who is wearing a Monse look and SJP Collection shoes. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Nicki Minaj, in Moschino, and Jeremy Scott. Photo: Jamie McCarthy /Getty Images
Kendall Jenner wears an Atelier Versace gown. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Kylie Jenner wears a Balmain gown and Aquazzura heels. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Lupita Nyong'o wears a Calvin Klein dress. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Emma Stone wears a Prada gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Amy Schumer wears Alexander Wang, alongside the designer. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Emma Watson wears a Calvin Klein dress-slash-pants made out of recycled plastic bottles. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Brie Larson wears a Proenza Schouler dress. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Zendaya wears a Michael Kors gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Zoe Kravitz wears a Saint Laurent look. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Kirsten Stewart wears Chanel. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Anna Kendrick wears a Derek Lam gown. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Marco Perego and Zoe Saldana, who is wearing a Dolce & Gabbana dress, clutch, and Louboutin heels. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Lorde wears a Valentino gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Lady Gaga wears a Versace look. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Karlie Kloss wears a Brandon Maxwell gown and a Lisa Perry ligh-up bag. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Demi Lovato wears a Jeremy Scott gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Solange Knowles Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Karolina Kurkova wears a dress by Marchesa and the IBM robot Watson, along with Marchesa shoes and a clutch. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Kerry Washington wears a Marc Jacobs gown. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Margot Robbie wears a Calvin Klein gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Emily Blunt wears a Michael Kors gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
MIranda Kerr wearing a Louis Vuitton two-piece. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Allison Williams wears a Peter Pilotto gown, Soraya Silchenstedt x La Ligne earrings, and an Edie Parker x La Ligne clutch that says, "Read Between the Lines" and "Color Outside the Lines". Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Rachel McAdams wears a Valentino dress and H.Stern jewels. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Nina Dobrev wears a Marchesa gown, Charlotte Olympia shoes, and a Marchesa bag. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Hailey Baldwin wears a Tommy Hilfiger gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Chloe Grace Moretz wears a Coach gown. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Bella Hadid and performer The Weeknd both wear Givenchy. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Emily Ratajkowski wears a Prabal Gurung gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Louis Vuitton Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquiere and Alicia Vikander, who is wearing a Louis Vuitton dress.
Adriana Lima wears a Giambattista Valli dress. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Willow (who is wearing Chanel) and Jaden Smith (who is wearing Louis Vuitton). Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Jourdan Dunn, Doutzen Kroes, and Alessandra Ambrosio in Balmain. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen wear looks by The Row. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Saoirse Ronan wears a Christopher Kane gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Dakota Johnson wears a Gucci dress. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
FKA Twigs, wearing Versace, and Robert Pattinson Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Jennifer Hudson wears an H&M dress and a Judith Leiber Couture bag. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Dakota Fanning wears a Nina Ricci gown, shoes, and bag. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Elle Fanning wears a Thakoon gown and a Judith Leiber Couture bag. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Olivia Wilde wears a Micheal Kors gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Amandla Stenberg Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Kate Mara wears a Paco Rabanne dress. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Maria Sharapova wears a Juan Carlos Obando dress. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Kris Jenner wears a Balmain gown. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Lily Aldridge wears a Michael Kors gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Kate Hudson wears a Versace gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
David O. Russell and Bradley Cooper Photo: Venturelli/Getty Images
Riccardo Tisci and Madonna, wearing Givenchy. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Jessica Chastain wears a Prada gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Kate Upton wears a Topshop gown. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Emma Roberts wears a Tory Burch gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Kate Bosworth wears a Dolce and Gabbana gown. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Orlando Bloom accessorizes with a Tomagatchi. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Frida Pinto wears a Tory Burch gown. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Lily-Rose Depp wears a Chanel gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Rita Ora wears a Vera Wang gown. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Aziz Ansari wears David Yurman cuff links. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Grimes wears a Louis Vuitton dress. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Cindy Crawford in Balmain, and Olivier Rousteing. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Hailee Steinfeld wears an H&M gown and David Webb jewels. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Michelle Williams wears a Louis Vuitton dress. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Uma Thurman wears a Tommy Hilfiger gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Claire Danes wearing a light-up Zac Posen gown. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Katie Holmes wears a Zac Posen gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Hannah Davis wears Zuhair Murad Haute Couture and Cartier jewelry, with Derek Jeter Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Mindy Kaling wears a Tory Burch gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Jason Statham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who is wearing a Ralph Lauren gown. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Alexa Chung wears Thakoon, alongside the designer. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Naomi Campbell wears a Roberto Cavalli gown and Verdura jewels. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Ciara wears an H&M gown. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Tavi Gevinson wears a Coach dress. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Amber Heard wears a Ralph Lauren gown and Anita Ko jewels. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Naomi Watts wears a Burberry gown. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Sienna Miller wears a Gucci gown. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Lara Stone wears a Tom Ford dress. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman, who is wearing a McQueen gown. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Misty Copeland wears a Jason Wu dress. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Jenna Lyons, Jenni Konner, and Lena Dunham, all wearing J Crew. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Jemima Kirke wears a Chanel gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Idris Elba wears a Tom Ford suit. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Tom Hiddleston wears Ralph Lauren. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Anna Wintour wears Chanel Haute Couture. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Anna Wintour and Bee Shaffer Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Bee Shaffer wears an Alexander McQueen gown and clutch. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
The Haim sisters wear Rodarte. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Alessandro Michele and Jared Leto, wearing Gucci. Photo: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
Nick Jonas wears Topman. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Alexander Skarsgaard Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Florence Welch wears a Gucci gown. Photo: Venturelli/Getty Images
Bobby Cannavale and Rose Byrne, who is wearing a Ralph Lauren gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Irina Shayk wears a Givenchy look. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Halsey wears DKNY alongside the designers. Photo: George Pimentel/Getty Images
Lea Seydoux wears a Louis Vuitton dress. Photo: Karwai Tang/Getty Images
Juno Temple wears an Erdem gown. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Huma Abedin wears an Altuzarra gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Anna Ewers wears Jason Wu alongside the designer. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Eva Chen wears a Christopher Kane dress and shoes. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Elizabeth Debicki wears a Prada gown that — fun fact — is featured in the exhibition. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Ivanka Trump wears a Ralph Lauren look with an Ivanka Trump bag, shoes, and jewelry. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Diane Von Furstenberg Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Wiz Khalifa wears Rag & Bone. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Agyness Deyn wears a Kenzo gown and Fernando Jorge jewels. Photo: Karwai Tang/Getty Images
Common wears a Calvin Klein suit. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Edie Campbell, wearing Burberry, and Mario Testino. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Poppy Delevingne wears a Marchesa gown. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Bette Midler wears a Marc Jacobs dress. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
will.i.am Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Marissa Mayer Photo: Karwai Tang/Getty Images
Jennifer Connelly wears a Louis Vuitton dress. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Carmelo and La La Anthony, who is wearing Nicholas Jebran Haute Couture. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Wendi Deng Murdoch wears a Christopher Kane gown. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Colin Farrell Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Megyn Kelly wears a Badgley Mischka gown. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Lilliana Vazquez wears a lime green Pamela Rolland dress. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Catt Sadler wears a Hamel dress. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Tommy Hilfiger and Dee Ocleppo Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Mia Wasikowska wears a Miu Miu gown. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Ansel Elgort wears a Chanel suit. Photo: Venturelli/Getty Images
Riley Keough wears a Diane Von Furstenberg gown. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Mackenzie Davis wears a custom Altuzarra dress. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Rachel Smith Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Nas Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Diplo Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Charles Shaffer and Elizabeth Cordry, who is wearing a Gucci dress. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Sofia Richie wears a Topshop dress. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Allison Sarofim wears a Verdura cuff. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Trevor Noah Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Caroline Wozniacki wears a J Mendel gown. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Tyga wears Balmain. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Julie Macklowe Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Jessica Hart wears an Alaia two-piece. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Michelle Monaghan wears a Rosie Assoulin dress, Roxanne Assoulin x La Ligne earrings, and an Edie Parker x La Ligne clutch. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Suzy Menkes Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Zuri Hall Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Liu Wen wears Iris van Herpen. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Jack Huston Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Zoey Deutch wears Dolce & Gabbana. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Stella Maxwell, wearing Topshop, and Maryna Linchuk Photo: Venturelli/Getty Images
Sophie Okonedo wears a Tome gown, Margaux shoes, and a Judith Leiber Couture bag. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Amber Valletta wears an H&M dress. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Mia Goth wears a Miu Miu dress. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Kim Kassel Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
The Winklevoss brothers Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
The cast of 'The Get Down': Shameik Moore, Justice Smith, Herizen F. Guardiola, Tremaine Brown Jr., and Skylan Brooks. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Louise Parker Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Aja King Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Dylan Penn wears a Diane Von Furstenberg dress. Courtesy image
Liberty Ross Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Fei Fei Sun Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images