The annual Costume Institute Gala

By Ruth Doherty on Tuesday 6 May 2008

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Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institure Gala

A who’s who of Hollywood lit up the red carpet this weekend at the Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The annual event celebrates the launch of the museum’s latest fashion exhibition, which, this year, is Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy.

An A-Z of Hollywood big-hitters turned up at the event, which was a veritable fashion parade worthy of the Oscars.

SEE ALL THE PHOTOS HERE

Ruffles were a huge style theme, and were sported by the likes of Eva Longoria Parker (stunning in a high-drama maroon gown) Claudia Schiffer (heavenly in Valentino), Jennifer Lopez (groomed in sea-blue Alberta Ferretti) and Beyoncé (bridal in a strapless ivory gown with a simple ruffle column by Armani).

Other style winners included: Kate Moss, who was positively glowing in a super-sophisticated silver gown; Gisele Bundchen, who screamed sexy in a slinky Versace number; Diane Kruger, who bucked the floor-length trend and channelled short and sexy in a silver Ferretti minidress; and the event’s co-host Julia Roberts, who sparkled in champagne-coloured Armani Privé.

But, as ever, there were some whose fashion choices were slightly wide of the mark. This year’s style sinners? Best pals Victoria Beckham and Katie Holmes. Posh, who attended with an impeccably-dressed David, opted for a Dynasty-inspired vintage Armani gown and Eighties coiffed hair, while Katie took a trip to frumpsville in a not-quite-floor-length tangerine meringue and electric blue stilettos.

The Superheroes exhibition, which runs from 7 May to 1 September, will explore the symbolic and metaphorical associations between fashion and the superhero. Featuring movie costumes, avant-garde haute couture, and high-performance sportswear, it will reveal how the superhero serves as the ultimate metaphor for fashion and its ability to empower and transform the human body.