Met Gala 2017: Chrissy Teigen 'Wanted to Make a Statement' in Her Marchesa Gown

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend got ready in bed before the 2017 Met Gala, and we must say they clean up rather nicely.

The duo was one of many power couples on the red carpet stairs enjoying a fashionable date night in New York City on Monday. Teigen, 31, was chic in a custom black-and-white floral and embroidered lace Marchesa gown that featured a billowy semi-sheer train, while Legend, 38, was dapper in a white tuxedo Burberry suit and black pants.

“We still wanna be beautiful. We want to make a statement for sure,” Teigen teased to PEOPLE on Thursday at a Smirnoff Vodka Cocktail event in N.Y.C. while divulging details on the dress. “There are those classic Marchesa elements in it, like a train. But for the most part, it’s just gonna be really beautiful and simple. It’s hard, when you hear ball’ you think costume ball and you want to go over the top but I’ve made that mistake before so I’d rather just keep it simple and keep it pretty.”

And while other celebrities took a style risk by emulating honoree Comme de Garçons’ outlandish looks, Teigen wanted to play it safe.

“I will say ... it’s hard with that kind of theme,” she shared with PEOPLE. “I can’t wear things like that, I look goofy, I look kinda crazy.”

As for why Teigen teamed with Marchesa’s Georgina Chapman, her reason was sentimental.

“I love Georgina. Georgina was actually the first person to style me because as like a musician’s girlfriend, which I was at the time, not many people were clamoring to design for you or style you,” the Lip Sync Battle star shared. “She made me feel extra extra special, and she’s really just a lovely person, aside from being completely gorgeous and enviable in all aspects of life.”

• Reporting by MAGGIE PARKER

This article was originally published on PEOPLE.com