A Day in the Life: Coutura Attends the Met Costume Institute Gala...and Parties with Oprah and Anna Wintour!

Adrianna Papell dress. Colette Malouf hairpiece.

Last night was the most fun I've had all year. And not because I walked the red carpet beside some of the hottest celebs in the biz. And not because I saw some of my favorite designers and their exquisite work up close and personal.


Solely because I, Coutura, danced with Oprah Winfrey and Anna Wintour.


Yup, last night was one for the history books.


It started with me walking into the white tent and onto the red carpet. By the way, the red carpet was actually a set of stairs celebrities walked up while journalists fired questions on the side and photogs snapped shots. 


On my way upstairs, I saw Chanel Iman posing in a gold Michael Kors one piece and Iman in Prada with hair by Oscar James and makeup by the amazing Sam Fine. Those are some beautiful girls!


Oh and here's a quick shot I took of Justin Timberlake in William Rast and Jessica Biel in Ralph Lauren later on the red carpet.

As soon as I walked through the entrance, I spotted Gwen Stefani and Desiree Rogers, former White House Social Secretary with her daughter. Gwen Stefani told me she was wearing L.A.M.B. while Desiree and daughter chose Oscar de la Renta.

Here's Desiree Rogers chatting with Diane von Furstenberg.

Once inside, I chatted, more like gushed, over the stunning Kerry Washington in Thakoon for Gap. She is super sweet and silly! She graciously posed for a pic below.

While we spoke, I hear a squeaky voice and turn around to see Sarah Jessica Parker. She is truly as adorable in person as she is onscreen. Her energy is total Carrie from Sex and The City; she's smiling and catching up with everyone from Kerry Washington to Kristin Davis (Charlotte) who runs up to give her a hug. 

SJP in Halston Heritage chatting with Kerry Washington.

Mini-Sex and The City Reunion

Carrie and Charlotte!

And when Chris Noth playfully tapped SJP on the butt, I felt like I was trapped in an episode of Sex and the City...willfully, of course.

The Mr. Big stare always gets me. I love him, but umm, rooting for Aidan this sequel. (I totally told him this at the bar at the afterparty LOL)

While they mingled, I spotted Karl Lagerfeld walking in and Glamazons, let me tell you, I stopped breathing. Here's the thing. Celebs, especially fashionable celebs, are fun to meet (most of  the time). But designers? Legendary designers? Like for Chanel, my very favorite brand? I die. I snapped this Paparazzi pic and talked to him for like two seconds before he was whisked away. (I have no idea what I said but something along the lines of...OMG I LOVE your work!) 

Fun times! After cocktails, I left for more drinks with friends at a random dive bar (yes, we hung out at a bar in black tie, hilarious) and came back to the Marc Hotel for the afterparty.

As soon as I walked in, I met Donatella Versace. She's an icon but umm...I'll let you guys address this pic.

I spotted Naomi Campbell mingling and dancing up a storm when the party got underway.

Usher Raymond looking dapper as ever.

Chanel Iman + boyfriend breaking it down on the dancefloor.

N.E.R.D. hosted (they played the BEST songs!) while Diddy briefly took over the mic. Love to see Naomi Campbell and Kerry Washington partying it up!

Justin Timberlake even came through and performed a few hits!

And that's when my hair got sweated out! Justin had everyone on the dancefloor...literally, everyone. See the next pic.

No, your eyes are NOT deceiving you. That's Anna Wintour dancing on the floor and yes, she's got moves. Not a hair out of place though. Love it!

Oh and I almost forgot! Oprah Winfrey briefly walked onto the dance floor and who else was jamming by the entrance but moi? We grabbed hands and danced for like two seconds - I totally felt like Oprah was my homegirl. She's so cool!

I LOVE this pic! As I give my feet a rest (gold pumps = killer), Katy Perry plops down next to me. She finally met someone who parties as much as her, teehee. Here's us holding up the wall for a second.

Who knew fashion's most celebrated event would be so much fun? I had a blast! It was like prom with celebs, designers and (much better) fashions. Definitely a night to remember.

Kisses,

Coutura

Met Costume Institute Gala: Gwen Stefani's Vixen Beauty Look

Always fabulous, this may not be a spankin' new beauty look that Gwen Stefani has displayed, but I think it's her ability to stick to what works best that makes her most admirable. The classic red lip, ultra blonde hair and the heavy black eyeliner are her beauty calling card. As the old saying goes, if it aint broke, don't try to fix it!

xo

Ferocia

Met Costume Institute Gala: Gisele and Zoe's Sexy Cat Eyes

Besides their beyond hot bodies (Gisele just had a baby! ugh) and their gorge glowing skin, these ladies most obviously had the sexiest eye makeup of the evening. Smoked out eye shadow strategically smudged at the ends into a perfectly winged tip, super black eyeliner and slicked back tresses exude the perfect amount of edge. Their beauty looks are hands down my faves for the night and a look that I myself would have opted for. Love!

Here's the list of NARS products makeup artist Vera Steimberg used to create the look:

-PRO-PRIME Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

-Turks & Caicos Multiple Tine & Cadacques Multiple Tint [blended]

-D. Gorgeous Eyeshadow

-Aigle Noir Soft Touch Shadow Pencil

-Orgasm Illuminator

-Lara Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment

xo

Ferocia

Met Costume Institute Gala: Oprah's Tousled Curls

I've never really been a fan of Oprah's beauty look in years past, but I feel like as she gets older, it's starting to look better. Tonight she's embracing her wild side with these tousled curls; but keeps it classy with a pretty navy eye and light pink glossy lips. And those brows are beyond beat to perfection! Hands down, a hot co-host look. Hmmm.....I wonder if she'll do another look like this in front of the cameras for her talk show.

xo

Ferocia

Met Costume Institute Gala: SJP's Pretty Waves

OK, it may look like she's channeling her inner Carrie Bradshaw (when does Carrie end and SJP begin?!) but I like it. (Maybe because I'm such a huge Sex And The City fan...I can hardly wait to see the upcoming film!) I could have done without the big side bow, but I loved the soft waves, nude lip and soft smokey eye. So feminine and pretty!

xo

Ferocia

GLAM OR SHAM?: Toni Braxton in a Lace Side Panel Catsuit and Mohawk

Does anyone remember Toni Braxton in the 90's? Stunning, sexy haircut. Leather jacket. Jeans. She was beautiful in the most confident, effortless way. (And wow, that self-titled album was incredible).

Fast-forward to 2010. The aging mother of two seems to be searching aggressively for her "groove" and from the looks of it, she'll never get it back.

She stunned viewers everywhere when she kissed Trey Songz at the Soul Train Awards. (Disclaimer: nothing's wrong with cougarism. I fully encourage it. Just making a case for Toni trying to get her groove back with a young, ripe thing). 

And then, this. Pictured above. Toni Braxton went and got her hair done in a half-shaved mohawk a la Kelis, Cassie, LaLa and crew. 

Followed by a search through Amber Rose's closet for a black halter catsuit with lace side panels! Sure she has an incredible body, especially after two sons. But lace, spandex, a mohawk and camel toe? Stop it. This needs prayer. 

What do you think, Glamazons? Does Toni look fabulous? Or is she trying way too hard? Glam or Sham?

P.S. I AM thankful that she enlisted the Queens for her latest video, "Make My Heart." All my gay friends love it! But again, is that a sheer jumpsuit, Toni? No, no, no...

Kisses,

Coutura

Pictures: Everything YNTK

The GAP, Anna Wintour and M.I.A.? The Democratization of the MET Gala

What do M.I.A., Alexander Wang, The Gap and Anna Wintour have in common, you ask? They are all participating in this year's Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala. And I couldn't be happier about the seemingly odd mix of fashion icons.

Stay with me.

The theme for this year's Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala is the American Woman. And you can't pay tribute to the American Woman without discussing democracy. For example, our First Lady, Michelle Obama, the quintessential American woman, regularly mixes high and low-end designers in her wardrobe from Alexander McQueen to J.Crew.


So it's fitting that affordable retail chain, The GAP, is sponsoring the MET Gala this year with Patrick Robinson, Oprah Winfrey and Anna Wintour as co-chairs.

But that's not all.

GAP is collaborating with past and present CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winners to design gowns for the MET Gala worn by today's celebrity fashion darlings. The result? True democracy.

Designers, Alexander Wang, Rodarte, Sophie Theallet and Thakoon are creating gowns for The Gap as part of this unique collaboration.

And as for the fashionable celebrity muses, Alexander Wang will dress M.I.A. and Zoe Kravitz, Thakoon will design for Kerry Washington and Riley Keough, Sophie Theallet will outfit Jessica Alba and Vera Farmiga and Rodarte gets Kirsten Dunst and Jamie Bochert. (See a few pics of the starlets below in their past red-carpet splendor. I live!)

Love it! Starting May 5th and spanning the entire month, Gap will display the gowns at their pop-up shop at 680 Fifth Avenue at 54th Street. Gap is also hosting a silent auction of the gowns at www.gap.com/gownauction with all proceeds benefiting The Costume Institute.

Since I am in no place to bid on an original, one-of-a-kind Alexander Wang gown, I'll be looking out for the Gap's limited edition t-shirt collection in celebration of its sponsorship of the MET Exhibition: "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity."

The styles blend Gap's classic aesthetic with the unique fashion sense of celebrated American women past and present. Here's what Patrick Robinson had to say about the t-shirt line:

"As I worked on the collection of t-shirts with the team, we were very inspired by how relevant the themes of the exhibition are to the way women dress today, even though they celebrate women's style from the past. It's a collection that takes the simplicity of that classic American piece of sportswear – the t-shirt – to a new level that is still very easy to wear."

Styles include The Heiress, The Haute Bohemian, The Suffragist, The Patriot (shown below), The Flapper and The Screen Siren. (I'm going for the Haute Bohemian, I'm in a free-spirited, boho mood this summer). The t-shirts range from $34.50-$44.50 and are available at Gap stores and on Gap.com.

How fabulous! Can't wait to see how these gowns turn out! And I'm thrilled to see the industry leaders (aka Anna Wintour) democratizing one of the most elite traditions in Fashion.

Now true democracy would be giving The Glamazons an invite to the event, but I am totally content and psyched to attend the afterparty! (One step at a time, Glams). Especially if it means I get to see M.I.A. in Alexander Wang for Gap in person --- that's all I need to be satisfied, hehe.

What collaboration are you most excited for, Glamazons?

Kisses,

Coutura

Photo Courtesy of The Gap.