A Grand Look Inside the Costume Institute's Charles James Exhibit

If you didn't manage to head over to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, you missed one of the year's biggest fashion exhibits – Charles James: Beyond Fashion, the inaugural showcase of the brand-new Anna Wintour Costume Center, closed its doors on Aug. 10 – three months after its arrival. But don't stress: we've got all the must-see highlights right here.

The decidedly un-punk exhibit pays proper respect to the legendary career of Anglo-American designer Charles James, who might not be a household name . . . yet. Through more than 100 pieces, the museum examines his design process — specifically his use of sculptural, scientific, and mathematical approaches and innovative tailoring to construct revolutionary ball gowns.

So, while the star-studded Met Gala that marked the exhibit's arrival was all about celebrities in modern-day versions of high-society dressing, what awaited them at the top of that grand staircase was a look back at the work of a man who continues to influence fashion today.

Now, take a sneak peek inside as we walk you through some highlights from the exhibit before it closes.

Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art