Fashiontastic: Costume Institute Gala at MMA in New York

It was the ‘Poiret: King of Fashion’ Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York last night and half of Hollywood and the fashion world dressed up in their finest gowns for the event.

Lindsay Lohan and Kate Moss went for classic black for their gowns - Kate in one of her own dresses from her TopShop collection. Who do you think looked best in black?

Pregnant stars Salma Hayek and Naomi Watts both went for slimming black too - Salma in velvet Balenciaga and Naomi in a Zac Posen gown with a .. bin bag trimming?

It wasn’t all ever classic but usually rather dull black though: some stars injected a bit of colour into the proceedings. Who do you think looked best: Jennifer Garner in a red Valentine Couture gown, Liv Tyler in turquoise Calvin Klein or Cameron Diaz in cerise Christian Dior?

And others went for good old fashion glitz. A very tanned Jessica Simpson went silver and sparkly in Roberto Cavalli, Jennifer Lopez kept with the silver in a flattering Marchesa Fall number while Cate Blanchett probably needs a word with her stylist over that hair and make-up since they completely detracted from her gold Balenciaga gown (but possibly that’s a good thing).

Silvery cocktail dresses were also popular for those not wanting to be full on glitter explosions. Who got the best dress though: Eva Mendes‘ kicky Michael Kors, Kate Bosworth’s slick but heavy skirted Prada or Jennifer Connelly in a white/silver embroidered and beaded Balenciaga?

Speaking of embroidery, Renee Zellweger and Jessica Stam both brought it in shedloads, along with blue tones. Which did you prefer: Jessica’s boatneck Dior or Renee’s powder blue and black Carolina Herrera?

Who looked best in white? Jennifer Hudson’s in her lacy asymmetric gown? Rose McGowan with her sparkly strap and roses? or Christina Ricci’s sleek and solid washing-powder-commercial white?

Ashley Olsen looked sleek in a solid white gown too while her twin Mary-Kate Olsen went in the complete opposite direction, going for voluminous black. Which twin wins in the fashion stakes?

Finally, a explanation for Kirsten Dunst’s flapper number (and we don’t mean Johnny Borrell):

More Red Carpet Commentaries

• The Oscars Red Carpet Arrivals
• The Oscars after-parties
• The Brit Awards
• The Grammys
• The BAFTAs
• The Golden Globes
• More Fashiontastic posts