Inside the Met: Tales from Table 46

Our good friend Pamela Lopez of Nordstrom sent us this report from last night’s Met Costume Institute Gala, where she sat with Jessica Alba, Jason Wu, Alexander Wang and Lara Stone, among others, and did a lot of eagle-eyed celeb gawking for us.

Sprinted up red carpet sandwiched between Cindy Crawford and Victoria Beckham. Maneuvered past Donatella-Allegra log jam. Apparently, memo to “wear short” was widely circulated. First clue: Lisa Airan—former queen of the over-the-top gown—in miniscule Balmain. First 80’s moment: Simon and Yasmin LeBon (photo below of Simon and Brandy Nordstrom).

Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs, Kate Moss (in gold turban), then Justin Timberlake (wearing the same glasses he wore on Oprah).

Inside exhibit space, overheard Gisele saying, “I hahd to ahsk them to make it two inches lohnger!” while tugging on hemline.

Small surprise that short would be the trend for a Met Gala celebrating the model as muse. Feeling smug in my short Alexander Wang.

Meet Phillip Lim and Doutzen along the way. We all gasped at Phillip’s fierce gold studded shoes—Louis Vuitton for Lim’s men’s show. He said Kanye already hit him up for a pair.

Also run into Tamara Mellon, Josh Schulman and Angela Lindvall. Tamara says she’s just moved to the city—today!

Cocktails in sculpture garden very civilized, not as mad a crush as past Met balls. Favorite couple sighting: Leslie Mann and Judd Apatow. On way to ladies room (always a party within a party) catch Jessica Szohr and Ed Westwick stealing a sweet kiss. Tory Burch inside ladies room, touching up makeup. Can’t see who else, smoke is so thick. Suddenly Lazaro bursts in looking for his date. She’s not in here.

Long walk to table 46 makes for stellar people watching: The Kates (Bosworth and Hudson) both in Stella McCartney. Kate H and Stella BFFs tonight. Stella in black lace jumpsuit.

Kiefer Sutherland; Jessica Alba.

Also spot statuesque Liv Tyler. Finally realize am walking behind teeny-tiny waisted Renee Zellweger in olive.

Once inside Temple of Dendur, snaking through tables, see Josh Hartnett seated next to Bee Shaffer, Rhianna in exaggerated shouldered tuxedo looking for seat, January Jones—barely recognizable in her super short, metallic Michael Kors. Smoking hot! She’s sitting with Billy Daley, Michael Kors and Carmen Kass.

Arrive at Nordstrom’s table, # 46, where Alexander Wang and Lara Stone already seated. Lara in amazing gold metallic knit Alex Wang dress. Short, naturally.

Jason Wu arrives with Jessica Alba and Cash Warren. Jessica in gorgeous, very short cocktail dress. A version of Jason’s favorite dress from the spring 09 runway in custom blue for Jessica.

Pete Nordstrom (our host), his chic wife, Brandy, in Nina Ricci, Jennifer Wheeler, VP women’s designer, Vogue’s Meredith Melling-Burke, Alexander (“Alex,” now that we’ve hung out), Lara, Jason, Jessica, Cash and me.

Roland Mouret stops by. We sat together a couple Mets ago, for “Anglomania.” He is the smoothest, best room worker around. In a good way!

Alex gets the idea to use his exhibit catalog as a yearbook to see how many signatures he can get. He says that Lara has to ask everyone since everyone will say yes to her.

Suddenly Daria and Lily Donaldson hop over banquette to sign yearbook. By now there is cigarette smoking inside the Temple of Dendur.

Bono takes the stage to speak about the exhibit and introduce the performance. Everyone was buzzing earlier that it might be Kanye. Indeed it is.

Shalom in front of stage.

A huge surprise when Rhianna takes the stage. Everyone goes wild. Suzy Menkes dances enthusiastically with Alber Elbaz.

Jack White and Karen Elson walk by at the end of the night so we get courage to say hi and ask to take a pic. Everyone is always so nice at the Met!

All photos by Pamela Lopez. (Thank you, Pamela!)