The Most ‘Heavenly’ Met Gala Jewels

Pieces from independent designers Marla Aaron and Nikos Koulis mixed alongside red carpet standards like Tiffany, Bulgari and Lorraine Schwartz.

Ashley Davis Ashley.Davis@nationaljeweler.com

Independent designers were represented on the Met Gala’s red carpet this year. Here, director Reed Morano wears a Marla Aaron custom cross lock as a head piece.

“Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” was the subject of the world’s most glamorous theme party this year.

Held annually on the first Monday in May, the Met Gala is the night when fashion folk, celebrities and socialites collide, ostensibly to raise money for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute but also to see who can outdo whom in a sort of sartorial Olympics.

Naturally, we’re giving out gold medals to the best jewels we spotted ascending the Met stairs. From literal interpretations of the evening’s theme to more classic looks, there was plenty to see.

   
  
 


 
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Unlike awards shows like the Oscars or Golden Globes, more creative events such as the Met Gala allow stylists some leeway to experiment. Director Reed Morano demonstrated as much with her mishmash of embellished Versace garb and fine jewels.

It was a treat to see the independent designers Morano was representing. Her fingers were full of Retrouvai rings and Marla Aaron made a custom cross lock just for the occasion. Created in 18-karat gold, the one-of-a-kind piece features more than 25 carats of champagne diamonds, and 7 carats of sapphires, rubies, emeralds and garnets mixed on the lock closure.

   
  
 


 
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Morano ultimately wore the cross as a headpiece, for what we think was the coolest look of the night.

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It’s hard to think of a time Blake Lively hasn’t worn Lorraine Schwartz on a red carpet—she’s a personal friend of the designer—and the actress’ jewel-toned Versace gown was a perfect complement to the jewelry, which included gold and emerald earrings and an armful of gold bracelets.

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Lively also donned a gold headpiece that wrapped around her hair to create the illusion of a halo.

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Sienna Miller opted for an elegant and chic Louis Vuitton ensemble that let the jewels do all the talking.

She layered two 19th century diamond star tiaras from Fred Leighton and wore a stack of antique hammered gold bands.

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One expects Rihanna to deliver a show-stopping look and the signer didn’t disappoint. Her elaborate papal-inspired outfit didn’t keep her from embellishing the ensemble with jewelry; she wore a Cartier collection pendant originally created in 1934 and modified in 1949 as a necklace.

The “Crucifix” portion from the 1930s is made of gold, silver, diamonds, sapphires, round faceted rubies, button pearls, opal and round faceted topaz.

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The “Dove of the Holy Spirit,” added in the 1940s, contains gold, diamonds, a 17.20-carat star sapphire, sapphires, rubies, emerald, pearl, moonstones and opal.

Lending a modern twist, the singer’s many earrings were from Venus by Maria Tash.

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There are some perks to being a brand ambassador for Bulgari, just ask Lily Aldridge.

The supermodel was positively layered in jewels from the Italian jewelry house. She wore three high jewelry necklaces in platinum and white gold with emeralds, diamonds and pearls as well as two rings in yellow gold with an emerald and diamonds and white gold with a yellow diamond and white diamonds, respectively.

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Aldridge wasn’t the only model bedecked in Bulgari. Winnie Harlow wore a high jewelry necklace that managed to outshine her enormous matching white Tommy Hilfiger gown and crown.

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The necklace was rendered in white gold with diamonds and balanced with six Bulgari rings in platinum and white gold with tanzanite and diamonds, as well as two white gold and diamond bracelets.

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Zoë Kravitz stunned in a lacy, gothic Saint Laurent dress. The actress lightened up her dark, glamorous look with something sweet—a pair of Jacob & Co. drop earrings featuring 100 carats of pear-shaped morganites and 10 carats of diamonds.

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Nikos Koulis made an appearance at the gala courtesy of actress Alicia Vikander.

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Vikander adorned her Louis Vuitton gown with Koulis’ jewels—earrings, a bracelet and two rings, all from the Oui collection, featuring white gold, black enamel and white diamonds.

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Tessa Thompson sported one of the most creative accessories of the night (and that’s saying a lot for a pull-out-all-the-stops event like the Met Gala) with pearls that adorned her bare skin, as buttons would a dress.

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The actual fine jewelry the actress wore was even more show-stopping. To complement her Thom Browne dress and maximalist tweed choker, Thompson wore white diamond and platinum earrings from Tiffany & Co.

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Actress and supermodel Amber Valetta sported a smattering of ear candy to the gala, including a huggie from Anita Ko.

Most noticeable though was a sparkling diamond shoulder duster.

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Kendall Jenner was one of a handful of celebrities at the Met Gala to make the first red carpet appearance in Tiffany’s new Paper Flowers collection.

The model’s pulled-back ponytail perfectly showcased her platinum and diamond Paper Flower earrings, which she proved look even better on than they do in a showcase.

Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.