Met Ball 2014

The annual Met Ball is without a doubt one of the glammest soirees on the social calendar. And this year, the glamour factor was even higher than usual. With ultra-soigne, midcentury American couturier Charles James the subject of this year’s big fashion exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the pressure was on for the A-list attendees to carry on his tradition of directional elegance. Of course, the Valentino table at the gala exemplified just that, with Mr. Valentino and Mr. Giammetti holding court, and current Valentino creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli dressing guests such as Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kate Mara, Florence Welch, Haley Bennett and Max Langhella.
 
Mr. Giammetti and Mr. Valentino were very much in their element: The evening was a choice opportunity to mingle (and pose for Instagram selfies) with pals such as Victoria Beckham and Monica Bellucci. And Mr. G and Mr. V didn’t forget to pay their respects to the woman who made this oh-so-VIP event possible, not just this year but for the past many years. That woman, of course, is Anna Wintor, and this year’s Met Gala festivities kicked off a wee bit early this year, with First Lady Michelle Obama cutting the ribbon on the newly rechristened Anna Wintour Costume Center. But just because the fun started early didn’t mean it didn’t go on until late: A-list celebs carried on the partying at the Top of the Standard lounge at the Meatpacking District’s Standard Hotel.