"I'm designing seven dresses for seven amazing women, all of whom I have personal relationships with, all women who to me symbolize individuality, creativity, and confidence," says Jonathan Saunders, of the custom dresses he designed for the 2017 Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
"I love how captivating Emma is as an individual, and how friendly. It's great when you're designing a dress for someone who has that kind of spirit. She's mostly played younger roles and I wanted to show her as a real woman – so we chose red. It's a very strong and simplistic silhouette but it epitomizes Emma as a woman."
Emma's gown is cut from Japanese heavy hammered satin in lipstick red. Floral Chantilly lace is layered over a silk crepe de Chine corset, which is lined in lightweight duchesse satin. Delicate silk charmeuse-covered buttons, button loops, and straps finish the gown. Emma carried the Soirée Bag in pink velvet with large white pearls and a gold chain strap.
"I met Dree about 12 years ago and we've been friends ever since. Not only is she beautiful, but she's an incredible actress. She's a great girl and has a real unique sense of style. A true individual."
Dree's dress is constructed from a variety of custom fabrics sourced from around the world: black embroidered tulle with floral appliqués produced in St. Gallen, Switzerland; Japanese tissue-weight striped organza in ivory; and a custom embroidered skirt produced in the province of Varese, Italy. Dree carried the Soirée Bag in black suede with a silver chain strap.
"Talita is Diane's granddaughter and is incredibly beautiful. When you meet her, you immediately understand how intelligent she is. It's a wonderful time for her because she's just turning 18, and this is her first Met Ball Gala. She's a very sophisticated girl and it was important for her to feel strong and elegant."
Talita's gown is cut from black silk cady crepe produced by one of the oldest weaving mills in Como, Italy. At the left shoulder, a flourish of Chantilly lace is placed through a gold ring; a signature design detail of the Fall 17 collection. Delicate silk-covered buttons fasten at the back. Talita carried the Soirée Bag in black leather with a beaded gold chain strap.
"It's fun to be able to fit a friend that I've known for so long. It's very rare for someone to be so beautiful and so hilarious. Alexa has such an individual sense of style. I wanted to show a glamorous and sensual side to her."
Alexa's dress is cut from Japanese semi-sheer crinkle chiffon with a screen-printed polka dot pattern in black and ivory. The bias-cut halter top is lined in silk charmeuse. The skirt is constructed from 68 yards of chiffon cut into 34 circular panels to create volume. Alexa carried the Soirée Bag in black sequins.
"I knew of Allison and had always admired her work but really only met her through Diane when I started at DVF. She's a very smart and creative girl and loves fashion. There's a lot of workmanship in her dress. It's very striking and it shows a side to Allison that epitomizes strength and conviction."
Allison's dress has a structured column silhouette. Layers of bias-cut chiffon are covered entirely in white hand-embroidered paillettes, and the dress is fully lined in white silk crepe de Chine. A black velvet corset is worn over the dress. Allison carried the Soirée Bag in black velvet.
"Designing a dress for Natalia is extremely personal to me. When I designed my first-ever collection, I was very lucky to have it shot for the cover of British Vogue and Natalia was the model that wore the dress. She also has such a special relationship with Diane; they have for years."
Natalia's floor-length dress is cut from silk double-face charmeuse in a soft rose color for the body and sleeves, and in gold for the lapel. It is fastened with a waistband cut from heavy silk charmeuse in peach with a separate gold silk chiffon sash tied into a bow.
"The dress I designed for Diane is based on the first-ever dress I designed for the company. Color is so important when it comes to Diane so we chose a color that is optimistic, warm, and positive. The dress is cut on the bias so it has that sense of ease which is one of the founding values of the brand."
Diane's gown is cut in 100% silk cady crepe produced by one of the oldest weaving mills in Como, Italy, and overlaid with floral Chantilly lace. It has a ruffle cut in cady crepe and subtle gathering of Chantilly lace at the neckline. Diane carried the Soirée Bag in forest green silk satin with an oversized gold chain strap.
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