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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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
Met Gala 2016: Most memorable red carpet looks