Blake Lively at MET Gala 2022

Photographers: Hunter Abrams | Krista Schlueter | Landon Nordeman | Sinna Nasseri | Vittoria Nina Westervelt

Stylist: Blake herself
Outfit: custom Atelier Versace by Donatella Versace
Makeup Artist: Kristofer Buckle using Charlotte Tilbury Makeup
Hairstylist: Jennifer Yepez using Dyson Hair
Manicurist: Elle Gerstein using KISS products
Clutch: custom Judith Leiber
Shoes: custom Christian Louboutin
Jewelry and Tiara: custom Lorraine Schwartz

Blake Lively attending the MET Gala is not exactly news to anyone, and since we are one week away from the event, I took my time and I extensively researched all the little details that made her look so memorable last year.

Without any further ado, let’s get into it.

On the red carpet, Blake looked otherworldly in a custom Atelier Versace tulle column dress embroidered with crystal, metallic leather, paillette, and tri-tone copper foil duchesse.

The oversized foiled bow she had at the waist was unraveled to reveal a second look in verdigris—mirroring the transformation of New York’s Statue of Liberty from bronze to oxidized green.

The dress was a homage to New York City and so many of its classic iconic buildings, the corset had detailing from the Empire State Building, while some of the draping from the Statue of Liberty.

The long duchesse train featured a hand painted, foiled, and embroidered celestial map inspired by the 12 zodiac constellations decorating the ceiling of New York Grand Central Station. The original shape of the dress drew inspiration from American designer Charles James.

The blonde beauty paired her outfit with custom Christian Louboutin ‘Marchavekel‘ bedazzled platform sandals, which paid homage to Central Park.

Important details of her outfit were truly noticeable only thanks to some behind-the-scenes footage from Blake and her manicurist Elle Gerstein. We are talking about the two Judith Leiber clutches she paired her ensemble with. The rectangular one (see 1st video above) was made to look like the Brooklyn Bridge, and if you look closely, you’ll notice that it featured the letters ‘B’, ‘R’, ‘J’, ‘I’ and ‘B’ in the middle (the letters stood for Blake, her husband Ryan and their children James, Inez and Betty in the order in which they were born).

On the other side, you could see the Chrysler Building at sunset (2nd picture).

Once she went back to the hotel, Blake brought with her a round Judith Leiber clutch that paid homage to New York’s long lost Hippodrome Theater (the initials were on that one too). The towers of the theatre were topped by a globe covered in lights (you can see the two little globes in the picture below).

Even more iconic was her tiara, because Blake literally channeled Lady Liberty in a nude diamond and Paraiba tiara with matching earrings, courtesy of Lorraine Schwartz. In a video interview with La La Anthony for Vogue on the red carpet, Lively said: “My crown has seven spikes, because the Statue of Liberty, she has seven spikes representing the seven seas and the seven continents, which represents inclusivity, welcomeness and freedom. […] And she has 25 windows, so I was like, ‘Lorraine, can you punt 25 stones?'”

Even if Schwartz was skeptical people would notice all those little details, she made it out of copper and then patinaed it like the rest of the dress for her longtime friend.

Luckily for us, Blake‘s makeup artist’s Kristofer Buckle had a chat with InStyle and explained the inspiration behind the look, why he used certain tones and how : “The look I did with Blake Lively for the Met Gala tonight was inspired by architecture and warm toned metals of coppers, so I made her skin warm and glowing with bronzed contours. […] Her eyes were washed with a combination of matte warm browns for structure and metallic rose golds and copper to play off her Versace gown. […] For the lips “I used a gentle terra cotta and sienna tone to bring an optimistic brightness to an otherwise monochromatic makeup.”

Here are the products, courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury (slightly edited for clarity):

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
– Charlotte’s Magic Cream;
– Magic Serum Crystal Elixir;
– Magic Eye Rescue;
– Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil;

– Airbrush Flawless Foundation (no shade specified);
– Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer (no shade specified);
– Beauty Light Wand in ‘Pillow Talk‘;
– Eyes to Mesmerise in ‘Chocolate Bronze‘;
– Luxury Palette of Pops in ‘Pillow Talk‘;

– Lip Cheat in ‘Pillow Talk Medium‘;
– Matte Revolution Lipstick in ‘Sexy Sienna‘;
– Collagen Lip Bath in ‘Gold‘;
– Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! Mascara;
– Supermodel Body – Body Highlighter.

Blake‘s hair was styled in a simple, long wavy do by hairstylist Jennifer Yepez who used Dyson Hair tools to achieve the look. Sadly we were not able to find any information related to the process or the specific products used.

She went on: “As Blake‘s look was inspired by New York City architecture, we really wanted the same inspiration to come through in the manicure.”

“The chrome tip and underside of the nail are meant to represent the dome of the window of the Gilded Era; while the stones and crystals are reminiscent of the ceiling in Penn Station.”

As always, Lively styled herself and the attention she put into every detail is a testament to the dedication she has for the event. Also, her relationship with Versace is once again proof of the ‘family feeling’ and loyalty the brand stands for. I’d be head over heels if only I could be in such proximity to the famed Italian fashion house.

I love when they collaborate together and how Donatella Versace and her team are so accommodating and willing to execute her vision. I seriously think they are one of the best brands out there.

It’s always a pleasure for me to write about them, I’m ready to take notes and to see what they’ll come up with this year.