Larry Busacca/Getty Images ;Stephen Lovekin/Getty ImagesThis year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala Benefit boasted so much star power that it's a wonder no one was handing out awards.
But best-dressed trophies could have gone to many of the luminaries who turned out for the annual event, including chairpersons Justin Timberlake (with his lovely lady, Jessica Biel, dressed in Atelier Versace), Kate Moss, Marc Jacobs and Vogue's infamous editor, Anna Wintour. And the hosts were just the tip of the supersparkly-star iceberg...
Rihanna (in a Dolce & Gabbana capri tuxedo), Madonna (in Louis Vuitton with turquoise bunny ears!), Anne Hathaway, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, Victoria Beckham, Kate Bosworth, Josh Hartnett, Blake Lively, Heidi Klum, Rachel Bilson and a bevy of other beauties were among those who showed up for the Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion event and exhibition.
As usual, the event pairs celebrities and/or models with a designer. Moss, for example, wore a severely short number by Jacobs (which she topped with an even more severe turban, we might add).
Some combinations were expected. Eva Mendes and Renée Zellweger wore their typical labels—Calvin Klein and Carolina Herrera, respectively. Others, however, were a bit more playful...and the designers couldn't help but share their pleasure in it.
"She looks great," Jason Wu gushed about seeing his creation on Jessica Alba. "The color and the length, short, feels young but still dressed up." (He remained mum about future creations for a certain first lady, but couldn't contain his love for Alba's tot, Honor. "She's so cute, she makes me want to have a baby," he said.)
Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman couldn't say enough good things about her muse for the evening, Kate Beckinsale. "We had really good fun," she said. "Not only is she beautiful on the outside, but she's strong on the inside. I think that's really what makes her an incredible woman."
Other stars had fabulous designers thrust upon them.
Liv Tyler admitted she was forced to don her pal Stella McCartney's gown. "I didn't have any choice," the Lord of the Rings star said. "She made me wear it."
Katy Perry was visibly excited about Tommy Hilfiger's selection for her, as well as making an impression with one of the hosts. "He chose it for me," she said. "I feel like Cleopatra, and also, I got my hair cut like Anna Wintour so she'll like me." (She later admitted to chopping her locks in December—she was just joking).
Gossip gal Lively took a much more average-joe approach, admitting she sifted through style websites before selecting her knockout asymmetrical Versace number. She only had one problem: a sexy slit that went all the way up to her hip. "You can imagine," she said. "Especially when I'm walking up the stairs."
Want to know who else was there? Check out our Twitter play-by-play of all the red-carpet babes, busts and bombs @eonline!
(Originally published May 4, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. PT)