Interview: 'The First Monday in May' Director Andrew Rossi, on the Met Gala, Anna Wintour and Why Fashion is Like Performance Art

Jose here. The very first time I went behind the scenes at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, there was an image that immediately caught my attention. A big, bright yellow sign commanding walkers to yield to the works of art in transit. It didn’t only make me wonder how many pieces by Da Vinci, Rodin, Renoir, Van Gogh, Warhol, Kahlo and many other established legends had travelled through the corridors I was walking in, it also made me wonder how many Alexander McQueen and John Galliano gowns had followed them. If the idea of fashion as art remains to some a topic of debate, it has never been so at the Met where it plays an essential part in raising awareness of the Museum’s outreach through the Costume Institute.  

A photo posted by Jose Solis (@josesolismayen) on Jan 19, 2016 at 8:20am PST

For decades, the Costume Institute has been holding a Gala to raise funds to preserve and expand its collection of over 30 thousand costumes and accessories that range from centuries old furs, to iconic dresses worn by Jackie O. The Gala is at the center of Andrew Rossi’s documentary The First Monday in May which was chosen as the Opening Night selection at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival. Our conversation with Rossi after the jump...

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Red Carpet Lineup: BAFTA w/ Cate, Rooney, Angela...

Jose here. London, bloody London, or rainy for that matter. It seems that as usual, it was either freezing, rainy or both at the BAFTA red carpet, and while sometimes the inclement weather makes for some truly adorable moments when actresses must accesorize accordingly (remember Marion's cute faces trying to stay dry in 2013?) sometimes it doesn't (Kate's gigantic umbrella in 2009 was a tragedy) This year we had two beautiful ladies showing us the right and wrong way to do it. Rooney Mara took on the red carpet in Givenchy Haute Couture which she chose to cover under a shapeless black coat. Once she removed it, there wasn't much to see either, she has worn this exact same dress at least 100 times by now. She gets points for being so funny/dismissive about the red carpet game though.

No, everyone's yelling at you"

...she said to a reporter who asked if she liked the experience.

more after the jump...

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Red Carpet Lineup XXL: Nicole, Jada, Paz and Kate(s)

Jose here. Nicole Kidman won another award! Nathaniel recently praised her work in Photograph 51 in London, and the voters at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards agreed with him, for they gave her a Best Actress award to go with her Oscar, Globes and other statuettes.

Nicole wasn't the only movie-related winner: James McAvoy and Imelda Staunton, also won awards for their work in The Ruling Class and Gypsy, respectively. At the event Nicole was simply majestic in an Alexander McQueen design.

...and before you all whine about how Cate wore it better (she did wear a similar McQueen to the Robin Hood premiere at Cannes in 2010),  be reminded that...

a) McQueen should be worn by all screen queens
b) Nicole is flawless!
c) Cate was in Robin Hood...
d) most importantly, Cate and Nicole love each other as proved by this image to your left.

Before I lose you to fantasizing about Nicole and Cate in Carol Part Deux, let's move on to our other looks of the week...

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Red Carpet: A Couture Splash at Venice and Meh for TIFF

Diane Kruger wears L-R: Oscar de la Renta, BOSS, Cushnie et Ocs, Prada

Jose here with a very important question: can you imagine deigning to be the film that plays in a theater where Diane Kruger is dressed looking like she always does? Not only does she usually make a case for being the one human being worthy of Best Cinematography awards, she must also distract fellow audience members who can't resist but admire her, rather than see whatever's happening onscreen. The exquisite fashionista has once again been leaving her mark at the Venice Film Festival where she's also serving as a Jury member. First she dazzles in bold Oscar de la Renta, then she's "boss" in BOSS (hardy har-har) and is so confident in the beauty of her dress that she doesn't even bother doing her hair (hats off!), then she lets her hair down in a stunning Cushnie et Ocs jumpsuit, and she finishes off in regal Prada which she wore to the premiere of Everest. Can we now start a campaign to have her be in every Jury for every film festival ever? 

But Diane wasn't the only one giving fashiongasms in Venice! Another Jury member left me speechless. Find out who it is after the jump (and no, it's not Alfonso Cuarón...) 

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To J.Law on Her 25th Birthday

Jose here.

Dear J.Law,

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways
By picking 25 times your red carpet looks
have taken my breath away...

All the birthday girl looks after the jump...

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