The Met Gala is single-handedly one of the best nights for fashion. The annual fundraising event supports the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute and marks the institute’s opening every year. Dozens of celebrities flock to New York dressed according to the chosen theme. It’s basically one big dress-up party.
This year’s theme was Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology, which meant a lot of silver and gold dresses at the gala May 2. The innovation that goes into the dresses worn at the gala is incredible.
One of the most notable standouts was Claire Danes’ dress by Zac Posen. The [ballgown](http://i.cbc.ca/1.3563704.1462274796!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/claire-danes-light-up-dress.jpg) was stunning to begin with, but the true magic happened when the lights went out. The dress glowed with LED lights and 30 mini battery packs sewn into the lining, and Claire Danes looked like a real-life Disney princess.
Zoe Saldana’s dress was another standout of the night. She wore a [black dress with a 10-foot train](http://img.wennermedia.com/620-width/zoe-saldana-marco-perego-28642797-f688-40cd-9f7e-d3239f06ad8c.jpg) covered in colorful feathers that must have weighed at least 10 pounds. But Saldana was graceful even in the large dress and she made it look completely effortless.
Beyoncé (aka the Queen of the Met Gala; just look at last year’s dress) wore a [latex-looking dress with beading](http://www.billboard.com/files/media/Beyonce-Met-gala-2016-billboard-1250.jpg) that the internet had a field day with. My favorite comparison that popped up on Twitter was between Beyonce’s dress and the endoplasmic reticulum.
Beyonce look like the rough endoplasmic reticulum with ribosomes attached to it pic.twitter.com/on8srWuA8r
— mudda (@mvriiie) May 3, 2016
Taylor Swift continued her foray into edgy pop-punk territory with a [short metallic dress and knee-high wrap heels.](http://www.billboard.com/files/media/taylor-swift-Costume-Institute-Gala-Met-gala-2016-billboard-1250.jpg) The top part of the dress was cool, but the bottom was reminiscent of a 13-year-old girl’s dress for a poorly-lit school dance. Her dark lipstick matched the trimming on her dress and made almost as much of a statement as her bleach blond hair.
The dresses did not disappoint this year, and the fashion definitely raised the bar for the future of the gala. Realistically, Beyonce is going to continue looking better than everyone. I’m hoping Taylor Swift figures out her look next year, and maybe Katy Perry will finally find her [eyebrows](https://media2.popsugar-assets.com/files/2016/05/02/089/n/1922398/40b71e7c_edit_img_cover_file_17053399_1462236039_GettyImages-52htF0iT.xxxlarge/i/Katy-Perry-Met-Gala-2016.jpg).
_Edited by Katie Rosso | krosso@themaneater.com_
