MINKA KELLY & ESTEE STANLEY MET GALA 2013

AN EXCLUSIVE BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THE MAKING OF MINKA'S PUNK-INSPIRED LOOK WITH HER STYLIST, ESTEE STANLEY! NEW YORK

“Punk was more a state of mind than an actual piece of clothing or jewelry,” stylist Estee Stanley told us. 

If you were keeping up with The Coveteur last night while we live tweeted the red carpet arrivals of the Met Gala, you’ll already know our take on some of hits and er, misses; guys, she was just being Miley – frosted tips and all, okay? While some may have missed the mark on the whole punk thing – guys, just cause you wear tartan and spikes doesn’t mean it’s “punk” – some totally nailed it… excuse the pun. 

Like we’ve said before, for some people, there is nothing as important as finding out the answer to that famous, “What are you wearing?" question; but for us—being the fashion voyeurs we are—there is nothing more fascinating than finding out how those sartorial choices came to be. Very rarely does the general public get an exclusive sneak peek into the making of the red carpet hits that catapult some to the best dressed list…and some to face the panel of E! Fashion Police. (Looking at you, Kelly Osbourne and George Kotsiopoulos!) And so often we forget the tireless work of the magicians behind-the-seams: the celebrity stylist. 

Remember what we did with Leslie Fremar and Charlize Theron at the Oscars? Oh, we did it again. Equipped with her iPhone, we sent Cov-alum Estee Stanley on a mini-mission to document a day in the life as she dressed the very lovely (and very talented, may we add!), Minka Kelly. Let’s just get right to the details: The dress? Carolina Herrera; The jewels? Lorraine Schwartz; The shoes? Manolo Blahnik? And the bag? Fendi. (Side note: We wouldn’t expect anything less from Stanley, the Queen of the iconic Baguette.) 

And when Coveteurs collide, magic is bound to happen. With a little (okay, a lot) of help from hair stylist-extrordanaire Jen Atkin, Kelly’s low, messy chignon complete with jewels was the quintessential way to showcase the dress’ intricate detailing. 

“We just loved this dress. So unique, beautiful and kind of funky with all of the beading on shoulders,” Stanley said. 

After putting the final touches on Kelly’s look and before stepping Manolo first on the carpet, Kelly threw her feet up in the air for an impromptu photoshoot. And that is how it's done, kids!

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