Style Highlights From the 2012 Met Ball
Rihanna attends the "Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations" Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on May 7th, 2012. She opted to wear Tom Ford for the evening, as did Justin Timberlake. In keeping with the designer's proud "sex sells" philosophy, the singer certainly aimed to titillate in an extremely tight, black, gator-skinned dress.
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Lana Del Rey
With newly darkened hair and lips, Lana Del Rey looked reliably noir on the arm of designer Joseph Altuzarra, who created her sweeping metallic sequined gown and imperious black cape.
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Nina Dobrev
Vampire Diaries' Nina Dobrev looked radiant in a gold and black one-shouldered Donna Karan Atelier gown, complete with a dramatic train.
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Leslie Mann and Judd Apatow
Leslie Mann opted for an ethereal Nina Ricci look for the Met Gala. Husband Judd Apatow wore a traditional suit, allowing his wife's eye-catching ensemble to steal the show.
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Kristen Wiig
Kristen Wiig attended the Met Gala as the guest of Stella McCartney, who ensured the comedian was vibrant and elegant in a three-quarter-length tangerine lace frock made for the occassion.
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Marina Abramovic and James Franco
Spider-Man's James Franco wore a made-to-measure Gucci suit and looked handsome on the arm of artist Marina Abramovic, who wore a strikingly androgynous Givenchy look.
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Katharine McPhee
Katharine McPhee of Smash kept things pretty and traditional for her Met Gala arrival, looking summery in a streamlined, coral beaded gown from red carpet favorite Elie Saab.
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Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake
Like Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel were among the very last to show up for the festivities, and what a scene they caused. It was their first official appearance after news leaked of their engagement, after all. Biel wore a lovely white Prada dress while Justin Timberlake suited up in an impeccable Tom Ford tuxedo.
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Emma Stone
Emma Stone looked ravishing in a custom Lanvin ballet dress, fetching updo and minimal accessories. Props for being a redhead unafraid to wear red – a feat reserved for a select breed of red carpet risk-takers.
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Kanye West
Like many of his fellow creatives, Kanye West turned to his longtime favorite designer (and occasional collaborator) Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy for his very suave Met Gala look.
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January Jones
Mad Men's January Jones played up her bombshell status in a yellow Versace gown and Cartier baubles. Along with Solange, she stated her case for bold canary hues to make a comeback on the red carpet.
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Rashida Jones
While a black-clad Amy Poehler took the moody red carpet route for the Met Gala, fellow Parks & Recreation star Rashida Jones went pretty and feminine in a hand-painted floral gown from designer Tory Burch and Sergio Rossi heels.
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Lena Dunham
Girls actress/writer/director Lena Dunham kept things surprisingly demure at the Met Gala in a lovely Wes Gordon number, championing New York's new guard of smart and femme-loving designers.
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Lea Michele
Glee's Lea Michele unleashed her inner vamp at the Met Gala.
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James Murphy and Christina Topsoe
A scruffy but well-suited James Murphy (of LCD Soundsystem) arrived at the Met Gala on the arm of date Christina Topsoe. After taking in the festivities, he DJed the afterparty at the Standard Hotel's Boom Boom Room.
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Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz
Alicia Keys and husband Swizz Beatz opted for matching Givenchy ensembles, ranking them one of the Gala's most dashing dynamic duos.
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Amy Poehler
Comedian Amy Poehler struck a serious and sophisticated note in a black, distressed Fotini dress, Jimmy Choo shoes and Tiffany and Co. jewels.
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Beyonce Knowles
Beyoncé was one of the last major stars to arrive on the Met Gala carpet, but when she did, everyone took note. Performer of the evening Azealia Banks even tweeted that she cried upon seeing her idol in the flesh. Who wouldn't? She looked divine in a dramatic black and purple, feather-trimmed gown from Givenchy, the label responsible for dressing many of the evening's sharpest-looking guests.
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L’Wren Scott and Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger kept his signature debauched vibe in check, donning a navy pinstriped suit and burgundy shirt. His girlfriend, designer L'Wren Scott, looked statuesque in one of her own designs.
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Janelle Monae
Wonderfully quirky Janelle Monáe ditched her trademark tuxedo and donned a sleek black satin jumpsuit with crystal accents. Not to worry, though: her signature pompadour was still neatly in place.
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Solange Knowles
Solange Knowles arrived to the Met Gala in a look that was 180 degrees removed from her sister's dark evening drama. She radiated in a canary yellow Rachel Roy look, setting off a bright motif shared by some of the evening's best-dressed ladies.
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M.I.A.
She's usually not one to cater to the faint of heart, yet M.I.A. kept things surprisingly girly in a floral suit, smooth hair and pastel lipstick. She looked very nice; for once, there was no trace of irony or angst in sight.
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Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars adhered to the evening's Prada-centric theme, donning a spiffy suit from the legendary Italian designer.
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The Jonas Brothers
The Jonas men took their place on the Met Gala red carpet in matching crisp tuxedos, charming the swooning media crowd in the surrounding stands.
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David Byrne and Sally Singer
Talking Heads frontman David Byrne and The New York Times' T fashion editor Sally Singer made a smart match on the Gala red carpet. She shined in a swannish evening dress while he kept things simple in a black and white jacket and tie combo.
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Florence Welch
Florence Welch, not exactly a minimalist in sound or spirit, pulled out all the stops in an extravagant Alexander McQueen number by Sarah Burton, who also attended the Gala.