Kate Hudson

Kate, Liv and Stella’s Pre-Party Ritual: Champagne, Makeup and Gossip!

Evan Agostini/AP

Good pals Liv Tyler, Kate Hudson and Stella McCartney not only worked the red carpet hand-in-hand at last night’s Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Gala, they also pre-gamed together. “We all got ready together, and literally it was like a hen night, you know? We wasted a lot of hours with drinking and gossiping,” McCartney told PEOPLE of her time spent styling the actresses in her custom designs earlier that afternoon. Tyler, who wore a delicate black mini-dress with a train, chimed in, “We have the little ritual where we meet at like 2 or 3 and we drink champagne and we do hair and makeup and we take pictures and gossip and have a great time and feel really grateful.” So were a lot of important style decisions made during this girly get-together? “We just sat all together and shared hair and makeup, and we’d kind of go, ‘Oh no, make your braid looser or tighter. We like that, we like this,’” said Tyler, referencing Hudson’s plaited hair–a chic accessory to her custom sweeping, off-the-shoulder blush gown. And though the three all wore Stella McCartney creations, their looks remained distinct. “[The dresses were] made for the girls, so they’re very much specific for them,” explained the designer. “I think you can kind of tell in the way they move and the way they’re wearing [them] is very much their personalities, which I think is important when you’re designing for people.” And though each one looked regal in her final dress, it was hard to tell which part was more fun: the pre-party or the gala itself? Joked Tyler, “We come here [to the ball] and we start sweating, and we’re like, ‘Oh no! I’m gonna trip! What do we do now?!’” –reporting by Suzanne Zuckerman

SEE ALL THE STARS AT THE MET GALA!

• Kate Hudson,
• Liv Tyler,
• Red Carpet

Kate Hudson on Her Fashion Icons and Her Favorite Morning Ritual

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Kate Hudson isn’t one to play favorites when it comes to fashion. When Nylon asked the actress which Italian label gets her top pick, she was hard-pressed to choose: “Oh, that’s hard. I mean Valentino’s Valentino, you know? He’s an icon. But I love Giambattista Valli,” she says, before adding, “But honestly, I love all clothes so much. It’s the best part of the morning, getting dressed.” Her enthusiasm also extends to iconic American designer Bob Mackie, who outfitted her mom, Goldie Hawn, and recalls times spent in his studio surrounded by “all these beads and sequins,” and says, “It was amazing to watch him build clothing around my mother. A great designer knows how to make a woman’s body look great, not hide it.” Hudson also acknowledges her penchant for feminine frills (“I love, like, a big ruffle here and there,”) but refuses to limit herself to any one look: “I just put on what I feel like. Some days I feel really girly, but sometimes I feel masculine. Today I just woke up and was like ‘I want to wear a suit.’ It’s Bottega Venetta, by the way.” For more of Kate’s fashion commentary go to nylonmag.com. –Emily Hsieh

• Kate Hudson

Dolce & Gabbana on Their Nine Role: ‘A Dream Come True’

Courtesy Dolce & Gabbana

Nine‘s A-list leading ladies might be decked out in Chopard jewels throughout the movie, but Dolce & Gabbana’s designers, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, have scored actual roles in the much-anticipated flick! The pair play Italian priests alongside Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman, Penélope Cruz, Fergie and Marion Cotillard. And though they’re used to rubbing shoulders with Hollywood royalty, working alongside them on this film was definitely a special treat: “We wanted so much to be part of this project! Federico Fellini has always been one of our greatest sources of inspiration, one of the most important Italian directors,” the duo tells PEOPLE through a spokesperson. “For us, being part of a movie inspired by the work of the maestro is like a dream come true. Rob Marshall did an amazing work and the cast is amazing! He was able to put together the most beautiful and talented actresses of various generations and great actors. We couldn’t be more happy to be chosen, even if for a short appearance.” Nine opens on December 25 nationwide. Tell us: Are you excited to see Nine?

• Kate Hudson,
• Movie Style,
• Nicole Kidman,
• Penelope Cruz