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Dublin: 10 °C Thursday 20 June, 2013

Who was the best dressed? All the red carpet looks from the 2012 Met Gala

Or who pushed the limits the best may be the more appropriate question…

Rihanna arrives to the Met Ball last night
Rihanna arrives to the Met Ball last night
Image: Charles Sykes/AP/Press Association Images

HOLLYWOOD’S NEAREST AND dearest have had more than two months to recuperate after a busy awards season and how we’ve missed critiquing their sartorial choices.

But, lest we forget who they all are (and what they’re famous for), actors, musicians and a variety of other entertainers were back on the red carpet last night for the prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala benefit.

A night that is all about the designers and their dresses, the fashions are often more daring than what is seen at the Oscars or even the Golden Globes. Last night, the works of Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada were celebrated by those who made the guest list.

Some attendees got the nod to act as muses to the creators, wearing custom gowns to the event. Trying to impress and outshine each other, the outlandish outfits are sartorial heaven for photographers.

There was crocodile leather (Rihanna), lots of shiny, shiny metallics (Jessica Alba, Carey Mulligan and more ) and a sparkling hood/turban courtesy of Karolina Kirkova, plus an Elizabeth Taylor jumpsuit complete with red wine stains. Take a look and tell us who you think shone shone the brightest after the slideshow.

Who was the best dressed? All the red carpet looks from the 2012 Met Gala
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  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Sarah Jessica Parker with and wearing Valentino.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Sofia Vergara
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Renee Zellweger in Emilio Pucci Photo by Doug Peters EMPICS Entertainment
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Beyoncé Knowles in Givenchy haute couture by Riccardo Tisci. Photo by Doug Peters EMPICS Entertainment
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Michelle Dockery in Ralph Lauren
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Marc Jacobs Image: AP Photo/Charles Sykes
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Alexa Chung Image: AP Photo/Charles Sykes
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Shailene Woodley from The Descendants Image: AP Photo/Charles Sykes
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Emma Roberts in Escada. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Coco Rocha arrives in a Elizabeth Taylor jumpsuit, complete with red wine stains that she didn't want to get dry-cleaned off after buying the ensemble at an auction. Image: AP Photo/Charles Sykes
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Christina Ricci went all out in Thakoon. So all out, we had to show it twice - from the front and back. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Rihanna in crocodile leather by Tom Ford - yep, that seems about right.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Elizabeth Banks in a patterned Mary Katrantzou
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Newly-wed Carey Mulligan in Prada, of course.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Debra Messing is back on our screens in Smash (yay!) and back on the red carpet in Kaufmanfranco.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Christina Ricci went all out in Thakoon. So all out, we had to show it twice - from the front and back.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Chloe Sevigny in a daring Miu Miu mini
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Glee's Dianna Agron in Carolina Herrera
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Karolina Kurkova in an awesome hood/turban/dress combo belonging to the Rachel Zoe collection.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    January Jones in Atelier Versace and a vintage Cartier necklace from 1955
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Katharine McPhee arriving at the Costume Institute Benefit, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to celebrate the opening of Schiaparelli and Prada, Impossible Conversations, New York.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Kirsten Dunst in a very unusual Rodarte
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Another orange ensemble, this time courtesy of Eva Mendes and Prada.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Leighton Meester arriving at the Costume Institute Benefit, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to celebrate the opening of Schiaparelli and Prada, Impossible Conversations, New York.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    One of many who chose gold, Jessica Alba shines in Michael Kors.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Hailee Steinfeld arriving at the Costume Institute Benefit, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to celebrate the opening of Schiaparelli and Prada, Impossible Conversations, New York.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Diane Kruger also in Prada
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Kate Bosworth in head to toe Prada
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Hilary Swank in Michael Kors and Fred Leighton jewels.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Liv Tyler
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Hollywood's newest sweetheart Emma Stone chose a pretty Lanvin mini
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Kristen Wiig in a detailed Stella McCartney
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Scarlett Johansson looking more princess than Avengers superhero in Dolce & Gabbana.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Mary-Kate Olsen in a very Olsen-y The Row creation.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    We'll forgive Jessica Chastain for this Louis Vuitton as she may be exhausted from such a busy awards campaign.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Amy Adams in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Cameron Diaz sticks to shiny metallics in this Stella McCartney gown.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Kristen Stewart in Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Mia Wasikowska arriving at the Costume Institute Benefit, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to celebrate the opening of Schiaparelli and Prada, Impossible Conversations, New York.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel arriving at the Costume Institute Benefit, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to celebrate the opening of Schiaparelli and Prada, Impossible Conversations, New York.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    So good we had to show it twice.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Florence Welch of Florence and The Machine is totally herself in a Alexander McQueen costume.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Cate Blanchett in Alexander McQueen.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Brooke Shields - we're not sure if the cane was required or if she was channelling her inner Brad Pitt.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Heidi Klum
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Claire Danes, beautiful in a J. Mendel dress
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Lea Michele arriving at the Costume Institute Benefit, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to celebrate the opening of Schiaparelli and Prada, Impossible Conversations, New York.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Marion Cotillard in Dior
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Ginnifer Goodwin in a bright Monique Lhuillier
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Lana Del Rey takes a lesson from Gwyneth Paltrow's Oscars cape ensemble. This is Altuzarra though, and not Tom Ford.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Rosie Huntington Whiteley in Burberry
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Gwyneth Paltrow wears Prada
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Jaime King wears a custom dress by Topshop. Nice!
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Camilla Belle in a low-cut Ralph Lauren number.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Gisele Bundchen and a bonus Tom Brady (you are welcome).
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Emily Blunt and John Krasinski. Her dress is by Calvin Klein.
  • Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum - New York

    Julianne Hough

Tell us, who do you think shone the brightest?


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