It is the fashion industry's night of nights, and as two of the fiercest celebrities around, Rihanna and Beyonce were always going to give the models and designers a run for the money.
Beyonce, who has dropped a few dress sizes in recent months, decided to show off her newly svelte figure in an extremely tight gown by Emilio Pucci last night at the Costume Institute Gala in New York.
And while, other than a cut-out of her décolletage, the 29-year-old singer remained covered up in her breathtaking gown, Rihanna turned heads in a daring Stella McCartney dress that left little to the imagination.
Rihanna, 23, dazzled in the lacy number which she teamed with strappy Christian Louboutin heels and long, red braided hair.
From the front, the singer's dress appeared rather conservative with just a subtle hint of skin on show.
But as she turned around, Rihanna revealed a daring slit up the side of the dress, held together with sheer mesh.
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Breathe in: Beyonce and husband Jay-Z pose for photographers before he and an assistant held her up the stairs in her tight-fitting Emilio Pucci gown
Beyonce was joined by her husband Jay-Z and showed off her figure in a form-fitting black fishtail gown with exquisite gold embroidery.
The stunning dress had a high neck design, complete with a cut out oval panel which revealed her décolletage.
Of course, having her husband by her side proved helpful because the tight-fitting nature of the ensemble meant it the Single Ladies singer needed assistance climbing the stairs.
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The Met Gala is one of the biggest events in the fashion calendar and is held every year at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This year the event has been dedicated to designer Alexander McQueen, who took his own life last February.
Beyonce has recently returned to the States from Paris where she has been working on new material ahead of her much anticipated comeback
Golden Girls: Sarah Jessica Parker also paid tribute to her friend Alexander McQueen, Gossip Girl Blake Lively in Chanel Couture
She is set to feature on an upcoming track with Jay-Z and Kanye West and is believed to have laid down some vocals while in Europe.
Other guests at the event included Jennifer Lopez, Brooklyn Decker and Rosie Huntington Whitely.
The three ladies all went for pink gowns, with Victoria's Secret model Rosie being the most daring in a dress which was split from the neck down to her navel.
Actresses Maggie Gyllenhaal, Eva Mendes along with singer Madonna all wore varying shades of blue.
Maggie's form fitting ensemble appeared to be slightly see-through around the chest while Madonna's attire, complete with silver stars, was a demure choice compared to the more 'out there' designs she usually wears to such events.
Isla Fisher also chose sparkly blue Tory Burch, while Eva Mendes went for an asymmetrical Stella McCartney.
McCartney was a popular choice on the night with Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna and Iman all wearing designs by the Brit.
Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Gwyneth, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristen Bell, Naomi Watts and Renee Zellweger all chose flattering and dazzling gold gowns.
While gold was the most popular choice of the evening, some brave starlets chose colourful dresses - Isabel Lucas was ethereal in coral Louis Vuitton, Zoe Saldana wore lemon Calvin Klein, while Jinnfer Goodwin snubbed designer labels for a jade green Topshop Unique frock.
The Olsen twins were typically high fashion in Christian Dior (Ashley) and Givenchy (Mary-Kate) Haute Couture.
The young starlets of screen and song including Blake Lively and Leighton Meester of Gossip Girl, Twilight stars Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning and Ashley Greene, Glee's Lea Michele and singer Taylor Swift all managed to shine just as brightly as more seasoned industry names in their colourful assortment of gowns.
The men were not forgotten, with Miranda Kerr, Jessica Also and Fergie bringing along husbands Orlando Bloom, Cash Warren and Josh Duhamel respectively.
Plus one: Colin Firth with wife Livia Giuggioli and Anna Wintour with daughter Bee Shaffer
A Star-packed Met Costume Gala for McQueen
Alexander McQueen honoured at Met Gala
source: dailymail