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For the most part, the labels inside the dresses that walk the carpet at the Met ball are not the same ones inside your own closet. Undeniably, part of the fun of a red carpet comes from seeing how people with nearly unlimited resources come together to play dress up for an evening’s theme. But, what's better than all that couture? Seeing a high-street brand hold its own — and win.
H&M dressed singer Banks for this year’s Met Gala in a lipstick-crimson, off-the-shoulder, flared-hem gown with a deep back and petal-ruffled hem. Said Banks, "I wanted the dress to show off my shoulders and to feel like a mermaid creature. I love how it trails behind me."
The dress is a one-of-a-kind gown and, unfortunately, not available for purchase. But, perhaps H&M will follow in the well-heeled footsteps of Topshop and offer up the design to the masses. In years past, Topshop ended up recreating and selling its red carpet looks (most memorably, those on Kendall Jenner in 2014 and Nicole Richie in 2013). Sarah Jessica Parker also wore an H&M dress to the Met Gala, paired with a crown of Philip Treacy flames.
For Banks' red carpet debut (it was a first for the chanteuse), this dress needed to not only make a fashion statement, but a personal one as well. "Usually, I only wear black, so I wanted to do something special. In Chinese culture, red is a symbol for good luck, so I feel like it’s pretty fitting since I have no idea what I’m doing!" But, from the looks of it, her good luck charm definitely worked (or, H&M did a pretty bang-up job on a woman who can hold her own in a room full of fellow stars).
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