#SPOTTED: STARS IN NEW YORK FOR THE 2016 MET GALA

Like the Kentucky Derby which takes place every first Saturday in May, the first Monday in May also is a celebration of decadence, fashion and excellence. Taking place in midtown Manhattan at the Museum of Modern Art, the Met Gala is spearheaded by Vogue editor and fashion visionary Anna Wintour, whom has full control over the ultra-exclusive and star-studded list of attendees.

It is an annual tradition of ours to visit the City and as always, we have an amazing time getting charged with some of that high-watt haute couture starpower.

The invite-only affair runs its accomplished guests a steep five-figure sum to be seen among the A-List. Its theme in 2016 was Manus x Machina: Fashion in the Age of Technology. The merging of a who’s who in Politics, Sports and Arts had top fashion houses clamouring to dress their respective muses. Taking inspiration from this year’s theme, designers were tasked with incorporating geometry, shimmer and just enough glamour fit for a grand Red Carpet affair as this. And the results show it. If Hollywood has a diversity issue, the Met Gala appeared to address this with a variety of faces being represented on the guest list from across the spectrum.

The preparation process for many of the invited stars and starlets is both detailed and extensive, starting with fittings which take place in the weeks leading-up to the Met Gala. The day-of,  stars spend the entire morning and afternoon being beautified by an army of talent, to be unveiled on the elaborate Red Carpet before the barricaded starstruck public lining the streets and a bevvy of handpicked photographers. The rain reigned over New York City all Met Gala weekend, putting a literal damper on the fun, but the show must go on!

The term “A-List” often is thrown around but never is it meant in its truest sense as in the Met Gala. BEYONCÉ. LADY GAGA. MADONNA. KATY PERRY. SARAH JESSICA PARKER. JENNIFER LAWRENCE. KRISTEN STEWART. EMMA WATSON. Names like these grace the event and if you’re not yet at that stature, the Met Gala is seen as a coveted opportunity to be seen alongside them if you are talent on the verge of major stardom like Margot Robbie, Zendaya, Kate Bosworth, Kendall Jenner, Dakota Johnson, Halsey or Rita Ora. And let’s not forget this year’s honourary chair, megastar TAYLOR SWIFT.

While it is virtually impossible to access every star, there are enough opportunities around town centered around the Met Gala to give fans a glimpse of that glamour.

 

See our Snaps around town during the Met Gala!

Danielle Brooks:

First star sighting in #NYC. I was literally one of her first interviews for #OrangeIsTheNewBlack in Toronto! #DanielleBrooks #TheColorPurple 🗽

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 1, 2016 at 12:11pm PDT

Benjamin Walker:

When you step out of your friend’s hotel and #BenjaminWalker, star of #Broadway’s #AmericanPsycho is right in front of you. Love #NYC. 🗽

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 1, 2016 at 1:59pm PDT

Lupita Nyong’o:

Lupita. “I’m not telling you that!”, Oscar winner on who she is wearing at tomorrow’s #MetGala! #LupitaNyongo #Broadway #StarWars #Eclipsed 🗽

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 1, 2016 at 3:41pm PDT

Lupita on #Broadway for #Eclipsed. #NYC #LupitaNyongo #StarWars #12YearsaSlave #Oscars

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 1, 2016 at 4:00pm PDT

#LupitaNyongo trying to fit her hair into her car. #MetGala #NYC #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

Elle Fanning:

#ElleFanning in #NYC for #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 1, 2016 at 7:23pm PDT

Zoey Deutch:

Another pic with lovely #ZoeyDeutch. #MetGala #NYC #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 10:19pm PDT

Selena Gomez:

#SelenaGomez in #NYC for #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 1, 2016 at 7:52pm PDT

Brie Larson:

Academy Award winner #BrieLarson in #NYC for #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 1, 2016 at 8:43pm PDT

Common:

#Common once again will be attending the #MetGala this year. #MetBall #SuicideSquad

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 1, 2016 at 9:07pm PDT

Robin Roberts:

Good morning Canada, from #GoodMorningAmerica🇺🇸 with #RobinRoberts! #NYC

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 4:59am PDT

#RobinRoberts of #GoodMorningAmerica🇺🇸 !!

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 4:56am PDT

Kerry Washington:

#KerryWashington doing Selfies at #GoodMorningAmerica🇺🇸. She will be at tonight’s #MetGala. #MetBall #Scandal

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 6:31am PDT

Chadwick Boseman:

#ChadwickBoseman (#BlackPanther) promoting #CaptainAmericaCivilWar on #GoodMorningAmerica🇺🇸. #MetGala #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 6:32am PDT

Selfie fails with #ChadwickBoseman. Lol #BlackPanther #CaptainAmericaCivilWar

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 7:01am PDT

Sebastian Stan:

#SebastianStan at #GoodMorningAmerica🇺🇸 promoting #CaptainAmericaCivilWar. (Thanks Miyuki for sharing this one!) #MetBall #MetGala

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 6:58am PDT

Gala Night:

Waiting on stars to exit #MetGala.

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 6:58pm PDT

Garrett Hedlund:

#GarrettHedlund in #NYC for #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 10:55am PDT

#GarrettHedlund at the #MetGala. No Kirsten Dunst? #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 6:16pm PDT

Dakota Johnson:

Love #DakotaJohnson in #Gucci at the #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 4:56pm PDT

More #DakotaJohnson in #Gucci at #MetGala. #MetBall #FiftyShadesofGrey

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 5:19pm PDT

Odell Beckham Jr.:

#OdellBeckham at #MetGala. #NewYorkGiants #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 4:58pm PDT

Maria Sharapova:

#MariaSharapova at the #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 4:58pm PDT

Riley Keough:

Elvis’ granddaughter #RileyKeough at the #MetBall. #MetGala

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 5:02pm PDT

Florence Welch:

#FlorenceWelch of #FlorenceandtheMachine at #MetGala . #MetBall #DakotaJohnson

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 5:02pm PDT

Kate Mara + Jamie Bell:

#JamieBell + #KateMara at #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 5:03pm PDT

Chloë + Trevor Moretz:

#ChloeMoretz at the #MetGala. #MetBall #ChloeGraceMoretz

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 5:10pm PDT

Elizabeth Debicki:

#ElizabethDebicki at the #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 5:03pm PDT

Miles Teller:

#MilesTeller at the #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 5:19pm PDT

Jared Leto:

#JaredLeto at the #MetGala. #MetBall #Joker #30SecondstoMars #SuicideSquad

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 5:19pm PDT

Poppy Delevingne:

#PoppyDelevingne at the #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 6:15pm PDT

Kate Upton:

The gorgeous #KateUpton at the #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 6:17pm PDT

Olivia Wilde:

Always so lovely to me. #OliviaWilde at #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 10:20pm PDT

Michelle Monaghan:

With the always lovely #MichelleMonaghan, at #MetGala. #NYC #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 10:22pm PDT

Naomie Harris:

The stunning #NaomieHarris, #Bond star. #MetGala #MetBall #NYC

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 10:47pm PDT

Michael B. Jordan:

My boy! #MichaelBJordan at #MetGala! #MetBall #CreedMovie

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 11:07pm PDT

OMG. #MichaelBJordan kills me. One guy asked him “Can I get a graph?” and he heard, “Can I get a dress?”. The effect of #MetGala. #MetBall #NYC

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 8:05am PDT

Lily Aldridge:

#LilyAldridge at the #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

Jason Statham + Rosie Huntington-Whiteley:

With handsome as hell #JasonStatham, at #MetGala. #MetBall #NYC

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 10:53pm PDT

#JasonStatham + #RosieHuntingtonWhitely. Inseparable. #MetBall #MetGala

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

Emma Stone:

#EmmaStone apologizing for not stopping for fans. #MetGala #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

Jessica Chastain:

My fave, #JessicaChastain – the nicest celeb of all time. #MetGala #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

Edgar Ramirez:

The talented and up-and-coming #EdgarRamirez. #MetGala #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

Zendaya:

The v. sweet #Zendaya, who quickly is becoming a Red Carpet fixture. #MetBall #MetGala

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 4:38am PDT

Karlie Kloss:

#KarlieKloss, supermodel and #TaylorSwift bestie at #MetGala. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 4:36am PDT

Naomi Watts:

With the gorgeous and outstanding #NaomiWatts. #MetGala #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

Margot Robbie:

#MargotRobbie was the most sought after autograph this #MetGala . #MetBall #SuicideSquad

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

Nate Parker:

This man is going to be up for an Oscar. #NateParker #BirthofaNation #MetBall #MetGala

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 7:42am PDT

Anna Wintour:

The Queen of the #MetGala, #AnnaWintour. #MetBall

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 3, 2016 at 12:24am PDT

 

 

Being the massive Horse Racing lover we are, we wouldn’t pass up a chance to visit historic Belmont Park. We had the pure delight of meeting undefeated Breeders’ Cup champ LADY ELI who is on the comeback trail after suffering a worrisome bout of laminitis. Among others, we got to meet $7-million earning fellow Chad Brown trainee FLINTSHIRE. It isn’t every day we get to meet a Hong Kong Vase winner and that we did!

 

Lady Eli:

An incredible experience spending the morning with #LadyEli. She doesn’t let many people into her world and is feisty, but this is what makes her the champ she is. #ChadBrown #BelmontPark #NYRA #NYC #GetintheGame #HorseRacing

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 11:31am PDT

With undefeated racing megastar #LADYELI. Thanks @reredev060. So fun hanging out at historic #BelmontPark! #NYC 🍏🐎

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 9:32am PDT

Flintshire:

Selfies with $7 million-earning winner of the #HongKongVase, #Flintshire. #ChadBrown #BelmontPark #NYC #GetintheGame #HorseRacing

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 11:31am PDT

Belmont Park:

Happiness is me on a backstretch with horses. #BelmontPark #NYRA #NYC #Belmont

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 2, 2016 at 11:31am PDT

 

Until next year, New Yawk!!! 

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)