Derek Blasberg, style maven extraordinaire and host of the new CNN Style, gives us the inside scoop on the Costume Institute gala, which will be featured on the Saturday, May 7th broadcast of his new monthly show. Also on the program: a chat with Louis Vuitton’s creative director, Nicolas Ghesquiere discussing the power of the red carpet in fashion advertising. Blasberg meets the women Ghequiere is dressing, including Alicia Vikander, Jennifer Connelly, Lea Seydoux and Michelle Williams as they have their photos taken by photographer Patrick Demarchelier. And there’s more: Blasberg joins Selena Gomez in her final dress fittings as she gets ready for the gala and visits Naomi Campbell on set for a Vogue Italia shoot.
How did you find this year’s Met gala for the Manus X Machina show, in comparison to last year’s blockbuster for China: Through the Looking Glass?
Comparing Met Balls is a bit like comparing Olympic ceremonies—each one is over the top, fabulous and entirely memorable. Anna Wintour and her team have made that event the single most important event on the fashion calendar.
Which dresses surprised you the most? What was the sleeper hit?
What was my favorite dress? That’s easy. Emma Watson’s custom-made Calvin Klein dress, which was made with entirely sustainable and ethical fashion methods. The majority of the dress is made of recycled water bottles. Emma is a friend of mine, and I spoke to her about it for a special CNN Style segment: http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/03/fashion/emma-watson-sustainable-fashion/index.html
What did Anna Wintour tell you about the show?
One point that Anna made that I thought was interesting was this entire night is really designed to do two things: Raise money for the Met museum, and also get the general public interested in the Costume Institute. All the other stuff–the red carpets, the after parties, the costume changes– is just a bonus! She also told me she was anticipating a lot of guests to show up in silver, and she was right!
How much party coverage did you do inside the Met?
None. Once you go up the stairs of the Met Ball, you’re in Vogue’s world.
Do you think fashion is art?
That’s a big question, and one that isn’t easily answered. But I will say that I think some fashion is art, but not all art is fashionable.
What’s in the works for your next few shows?
I don’t know if I’m supposed to tell, but I will say this: I’ve been working on my Italian and my dance moves in anticipation of Episode 3.
The second episode of CNN Style airs Saturday, May 7, at 2:30p ET on CNN International, Sunday, May 8 at 8:30 AM and 2:30 PM ET, Saturday, May 14 at 8:30 AM and 2:30 PM ET, and Sunday, May 15 at 8:30 AM ET. You can also watch the show using CNNgo.
