It only happens once a year, yet the impact it leaves on fashion lasts for years to come. Have a look of what the celebrities wore on the 2012 Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which celebrated the new exhibit “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations.
The actress went all out in a strapless Dolce & Gabbana gown with a tulle mermaid skirt and gold embroidered bodice.
Nina Dobrev
The Vampire Diaries actress made her first Met Gala appearance in a black and gold silk chiffon Donna Karan Atelier gown with an elegant train and accessorized with H.
Dianna Agron
The Glee star hit a high note in a jade green silk organza Caroline Herrera gown with a snake skin belt and Sergio Rossi heels.
Emma Stone
The star wore a custom Lanvin creation hand embroidered with crystal flowers.
January Jones
The Mad Men actress posed in an eye-popping yellow Versace gown with reflective accents and a Cartier statement necklace.
Jessica Alba
The actress rocked a gold one-shoulder pleated Michael Kors gown.
Karolina Kurkova
The model wore the flashiest look of the night,a gold Rachel Zoe creation with a matching turban.
Lea Michele
The Glee sparkled in a midnight blue Diane von Furstenberg halter dress with a plunging neckline and thigh-high slit.
Carey Mulligan
The Met Gala chairwoman dazzled in a flashy sequined silver-and-gold Prada halter design with Neil Lane jewels.
Beyonce Knowles
The singer and new mom showed off her incredible post-baby body in a sheer black embroidered Givenchy Haute Couture gown with a purple ombre feathered train.
Camilla Belle
The actress donned an ivory tulle beaded dress and accessories by Ralph Lauren.
Gwyneth Paltrow
The style star showed off her toned legs in a sexy pale blue Prada halter design with inverted back pleats and macro-paillettes embroidered patch pockets.
Allison Williams
The Girls star added a pop of color to the crowd in a fuchsia silk satin Ralph Lauren dress.
Amber Heard
The actress showed off her incredible curves in a custom orchid Zac Posen dress with a bustier bodice and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Anna Wintour
Vogue's editor-in-chief was the first to arrive in an Elsa Schiaparelli-inspired Prada lobster dress.
Brooke Shields
The actress may have been walking with a cane, but she looked elegant as always in a midnight blue satin gown.
Coco Rocha
The model coordinated her new hot pink dip-dyed ends with her eye-popping vintage Givenchy ensemble.
Lana Del Rey
Making her first Met Gala appearance, the singer wore a custom black and silver embroidered Joseph Altuzarra gown with a dramatic black cape.
Beyonce's stylish younger sister brightened up in a sunshine yellow Rachel Roy strapless dress with peplum detail and added a stack of gold bangles.
Amy Poehler
The Parks and Recreation star stunned in a black laser cut leather lace peplum corseted Fotini gown with feathered bottom, Jimmy Choo shoes and Tiffany & Co. jewels.
Chloe Sevigny
The fashion risk-taker arrived in a Miu Miu black mirrored geometric patchwork mini dress.
Christina Ricci
The petite star posed in a black and white strapless Thakoon design with a massive bow.
Greta Gerwig
The actress chose a dark green Prabal Gurung gown.
Claire Danes
The Homeland star wowed in a white silk asymmetrical J. Mendel gown.
Dakota Fanning
The young actress dressed up in a lavender off-the-shoulder Louis Vuitton gown with hand-embroidered flowers.
Jessica Pare
The Mad Men stunner dazzled in a gold sequined L'Wren Scott cap-sleeve gown.
Mary-Kate Olsen
In keeping with her eclectic style, the designer covered up in a black long sleeve look by her label, The Row.
Lily Collins
The Mirror Mirror actress donned an ivory silk tulle Valentino gown with lace accents.
Rashida Jones
The actress chose a drop shoulder cream silk chiffon Tory Burch gown with hand-beaded flowers.
Amy Adams
The actress wowed in a one-shoulder silk chiffon gown with a black velvet insert and silver and gold bow belt by Giambattista Valli Haute Couture.
Ashley Greene
The Twilight stunner was a total knockout in a custom white grecian Donna Karan Atelier gown with chiffon pleats and a stone encrusted sequin bustier. She completed her look with Jacob & Co. chandelier tassel earrings and a flower diamond ring.
Brooklyn Decker
The model-turned-actress opted for a pleated Tory Burch silk tulle and crepe gown with hand-embroidered floral appliques.
Cameron Diaz
The red carpet all-star star struck a sexy pose in a champagne embroidered silk Stella McCartney gown.
Emma Roberts
The actress stunned in a custom marigold strapless Escada dress with peplum detail and a vintage Swarvoski gold clutch.
Diane Kruger
The stylish star wowed in a royal purple layered crepe silk chiffon V-neck Prada gown with a hand-finished ostrich feather trim.
Ginnifer Goodwin
The Once Upon a Time star wore a custom Monique Lhuillier tangerine silk chiffon cap sleeve gown and H.Stern jewelry.
Renee Zellweger
The actress wowed in a custom black silk Emilio Pucci gown with chiffon detail.
Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady
The stunning couple coordinated in sleek black looks: beaded Givenchy for her and Tom Ford for him.
Sarah Jessica Parker
The fashionista covered up in a floral print Valentino gown with a full skirt.
Sofia Vergara
Taking a break from her go-to bold colors, the Modern Family bombshell chose an ivory embroidered Marchesa design with peplum detail and Harry Winston jewels.
Heidi Klum
The newly single supermodel showed off her incredible body in a custom blue lace Escada gown with a sheer skirt and statement necklace.
Hilary Swank
One of the few stars to wear red, the actress sizzled in a Michael Kors halter gown.
Kristen Bell
The actress rocked a citrus-hued Tommy Hilfiger halter dress with a gold clutch and sleek hair.
Emily Blunt and John Krasinski
The British actress arrived with her adorable husband in a stunning coral-pink cutout Calvin Klein look.
Julianne Hough
Showing off her feminine style, the Rock of Ages actress worked a shocking pink strapless Carolina Herrera mermaid-style gown with a sexy wavy 'do. She completed her look with Jacob & Co. chandelier diamond earrings.
Kate Upton
The Sports Illustrated model covered up her curves in a sequined Michael Kors gown with a sexy scooped back.
Katharine McPhee
The Smash actress looked her red carpet best in a coral beaded Elie Saab gown with a plunging neckline.
Kristen Wiig
The star glammed up in an orange lace Stella McCartney pleated dress, a Reed Krakoff bag and Fred Leighton jewels.
Kristen Stewart
The Twilight star opted for an unusual Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere dress with a printed top and color-blocked skirt.
Lala Anthony
The reality star arrived in a custom cobalt Zac Posen bustier gown. She accessorized with a Forevermark diamond and pave marquise shaped ring in oxidized gold.
Debra Messing
The Smash actress took the plunge in a sexy low-cut KaufmanFranco crystal sequin gown with Fred Leighton jewels and Brian Atwood heels.
Jessica Chastain
The actress wore a corseted blue metal satin Louis Vuitton dress and Harry Winston jewels.
Lena Dunham
The Girls star paired an emerald green Wes Gordon design with neon pink Stella McCartney heels.
Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake
The actress, who arrived with her fiance, wore an ivory satin deep-V Prada gown with cascading jade green stones and matching heels.
Kirsten Dunst
The actress wore a retro Rodarte ensemble, featuring a wool crepe double lapel jacket accented with a thick black leather belt teamed with a matching lace gown and Neil Lane and Van Cleef & Arpels jewels.
Leighton Meester
The Gossip Girl star got decked out in a gold embroidered Marchesa illusion dress with a tiered tulle skirt, Harry Winston jewels and Tabitha Simmons shoes.
Paula Patton
The actress wore a blush-colored custom Vera Wang strapless gown.
Rihanna
The daring singer posed in an embossed crocodile leather applique Tom Ford dress.
Rooney Mara
For her first Met Gala appearance, the edgy actress donned an elegant black lace Givenchy gown with a sheer skirt.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
The gorgeous Brit wore a copper and black draped-back tulle Burberry dress with hand embroidered glass beads and Irene Neuwirth jewels.
Eva Mendes
The star wore a tangerine silk strapless peplum waisted gown by Prada with an embroidered bustier and turban headband.
Elizabeth Banks
Stepping out in one of the most daring looks of the night, The Hunger Games star chose a black-and-white print Mary Katrantzou gown with a red belt and voluminous peplum skirt.
Liv Tyler
The star looked gorgeous in head-to-toe Givenchy and accessorized with Fred Leighton jewels.
Rosario Dawson
The actress wowed in a black leather Calvin Klein Collection dress.
Marion Cotillard
The beautiful actress, dazzled in head-to-toe Christian Dior and teamed her look with Chopard jewels.
Shailene Woodley
The starlet worked the room in a vibrant Christopher Kane dress, Pomelatto earrings and Tabitha Simmons shoes.
Cate Blanchett
The actress stunned in a Alexander McQueen fishtail gown paired with Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry.
Leslie Bibb
The GCB star looked sophisticated in a midnight blue draped bustier gown by Zac Posen.
Kate Bosworth
The actress chose a flirty ombre bordeaux and navy ostrich feather Prada mini-dress with a low-cut back.
Ivanka Trump
Florence Welch
Florence + The Machine singer stepped out in an over-the-top creation from Alexander McQueen
Swizz Beatz & Alicia Keys in Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci and Pomellato Capri jet ring
Marc Jacobs and Mila Jovovich
The stunning actress chose a Prada red double-satin shredded-skirt gown, embellished with onyx floral beading.
Lauren Santo Domingo in Oscar de la Renta and a Kotur clutch
Caroline Sieber in Christopher Kane and Chanel bag
Stella McCartney in her own design
Tabitha Simmons in Calvin Klein Collection
Natalia Vodianova in Louis Vuitton
Michelle Dockery in Ralph Lauren Collection
Isabel Lucas in Proenza Schouler and Fred Leighton jewelry
Mia Wasikowska in Prada
Lizzie Tisch in Mary Katrantzou
- Four months after announcing their engagement, Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake made their first official public appearance together at the soiree. Not only was it the first time the world got a good look at Jessica’s whopper of an engagement ring, which was designed by her beau and reportedly cost $130,000, but she also debuted a new bangs-heavy hairstyle. Jessica, 30, donned an ivory satin Prada dress adorned with jade green stones and ...more
- “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” star Cameron Diaz looked sophisticated in this long-sleeve Stella McCartney design, which reportedly weighs 30 pounds!
- Apparently, all that healthy eating, yoga, and cleansing that Gwyneth Paltrow’s always preaching about really works! The 39-year-old mother of two showed off her hot bod (and side cleavage!) in this teeny-tiny Prada halter dress with embellished sides. Love her or hate her, Gwyneth looks good!
- Hunky Gerard Butler sported his signature scruff and an Alexander McQueen tux to the gala. This is one guy who definitely didn’t blend in amongst a sea of penguin suits!
- Emma Roberts looked simply chic in a tangerine-hued Escada design with a slight peplum and thin black belt.
- Is that a smile we see? The usually pouty Kristen Stewart looked almost happy on the red carpet in her strapless multi-colorBalenciaga dress and funky black-and-white shoes.
- Emma Stone stood out in a sea of floor-length gowns thanks to her flirty red mini with sequined embellishments.
- Cate Blanchett floated down the red carpet in a feathery Alexander McQueen dress, which she paired with Van Cleef & Arpels jewels. A soft updo and nude lips rounded out her look.
- Mom-of-two Jessica Alba was a bronze beauty in a pleated one-shoulder metallic gown by Michael Kors. The 31-year-old completed her look with a clutch, vampy nails, statement earrings, and a chunky bracelet.
- One of these brothers is not like the others! Joe Jonas (right) stood out in this trio of JoBros thanks to his satin Calvin Klein tuxedo, while Nick (left) and Kevin kept things more subdued.
- Florence + the Machine singer Florence Welch stepped out in an over-the-top creation from Alexander McQueen.
Scarlett Johansson