Celebrity: Nina Dobrev

Event: The 2012 Costunme Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City

Dress: Black-and-gold Donna Karan Atelier silk chiffon gown from the new high-end line

Beauty: On-trend – a perfectly arched brow with a smoky-eye and a nude lip color. Her hair was styled in a sophisticated up-do

Color Critique: This gown has drama from the draped bodice all the way down to the train. The gold sequins are flattering for her skin and she’s quite poised and regal in this dress.

Image via InStyle/Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Celebrity: Gwyneth Paltrow

Event: The 2012 Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum

Dress: Steel blue Prada halter dress with paillettes embroidered pockets high-low hemline

Jewelry: Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie jewels

Shoes: Peep-toe Prada heels

Beauty: A neutral make-up palette and muted lip color were combined with a defined eye and her hair was styled in an up-do

Color Critique: The steel blue color has a lustrous metallic sheen and it is a good choice for her cool skin-tone. -

Image via InStyle/Erik Pendzich/Rex USA

Celebrity: Eva Mendes

Event: the 2012 Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City

Dress: Peplum Prada gown with a strapless neckline in vibrant tangerine

Jewelry: Fred Leighton jewels

Bag: Prada two tone clutch

Beauty: Dramatic look – coral cheeks and lips were met with strong brows and the hair was styled in gorgeous waves

Color Critique: I love Eva in soft and muted color palettes because they are perfect for her warm skin-tone. The tangerine is fine because of the yellow undertone, but I want her to be stunning. Softer colors highlight her beauty.

Image via InStyle/Henry Lamb/BEImages

Celebrity: Scarlett Johansson

Event: The 2012 Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City

Dress: Off-the-shoulder Dolce & Gabbana embroidered gown with sparkling embellishments and a mermaid hem

Beauty: Dramatic – strong brows and orange-red lips were combined with loose waves

Color Critique:The gold dress complemented her blond locks and the bright lip color was perfect for her skin-tone. -

Image via InStyle/Lionel Hahn/ABACAUSA.COM

Celebrity: Ashley Greene

Event: The 2012 Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City

Dress: White Donna Karan Atelier gown with a sequined bustier and silk chiffon pleats

Beauty: On-trend – a smoky-eye and strong brow were combined with a nude lip color and long glossy locks

Color Critique: I loved the high contrast of her dark locks next to the white gown. Her dress also brought out the warmth in her skin-tone. -

Photo Credit Getty Images

1. Sarah Jessica Parker – Halston

2. Marion Cotillard – Dior

3. Zoe Saldana – Calvin Klein

4. Anne Hathaway – Valentino

5. Jessica Alba – Sophie Theallet for GAP

The Met Gala is practically a fashion show on the red carpet, and it did not disappoint last night.  The bold-named and the beautiful came out in large numbers last night.  Many were dressed and accompanied by some of the biggest names in fashion.  We compiled a list of the best dressed.  Let us know if you agree. 

1. Sarah Jessica Parker is always at home on the red carpet.  The actress looked stunning in her Halston Heritage gown last night.  Her pleated gown maintained the design integrity of Halston while staying true to SJP’s personal style.  Her hair and accessories played the perfect supporting role to the dress.

2. Marion Cotillard went Hollywood glam in her Dior gown.  She sparkled like a star from head-to-toe.  The be-jeweled neckline and her hair in beautiful soft waves completed the look. 

3. Zoe Saldana was sleek and sexy in her one-shoulder Calvin Klein gown.  The beaded black dress was stunningly simple while adorned with only a few accessories.  It proves that sometimes the understated makes just right statement.

4. Anne Hathaway was Cinderella in her strapless Valentino gown.  Her diamond necklace went perfectly with the brilliant sequins surrounding the bodice and full skirt.  Hathaway was definitely the beautiful princess last night.

5. Jessica Alba channeled Old Hollywood with her hair, makeup and that gorgeous dress designed by Sophie Theallet for GAP.  Satin can be a very tricky fabric because it can make you appear larger, but Alba was trim and svelte last night.  That’s because of the expert draping of the designer and the actress’ figure.  Jessica Alba has donated her gown for auction and all proceeds will go to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in support of The Costume Institute Gala Benefit.

The co-chairs of the Met Gala Spring 2010 are Oprah Winfrey and Patrick Robinson of the Gap.  The Costume Institue’s next exhibit will be “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity”.  Okay, the topic is a little heavier than the last exhibit, “Model as Muse”, but I’m sure it will just as fashionable.  Some of the pieces for the exhibit will come from the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection, as well as pieces designed by Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel, Jeanne Lanvin, Elsa Schiaparelli, Madeleine Voinnet, just to name a few.  The collection will be on display at the Costume Institute from May 5th through August 15th.  I don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to viewing this exhibit.

Oprah Winfrey and Patrick Robinson Co-chair the Next Met Gala [The Cut]

The 2009 Costume Institute Gala made our Rollcall list this week.  It was wrought with beauty, mystery, and violence.  The beauty was self evident because the theme for the evening after all was ‘Model as Muse‘.  Here we have model Anja Rubik looking gorgeous in Balmain.  The mystery was the missing Azzedine Alaia from the exhibition, and his gowns from the red carpet.  The violence, well, all I’ll say is Kiefer Sutherland.  Enough said. 

Wait, I forgot about the fashion after all that excitement.  Remember when the gala was all about the fashion?  When the question the day after was ‘who wore what’?  Sure it’s gotten a little more, um, complicated, but there were enough good and bad fashion to distract us from all the controversy.  Among the good was Blake Lively in Versace, Kate Hudson in Stella McCartney, and Rachel Weisz in Vera Wang. Fashion Rollcall’s best dress goes to Diane Kruger in Chanel Haute Couture; it was short, sweet, simple and sophisticated.  To the bad, well, they know who they are by now.  Click the link to view the photos from the gala.

Oh, I wish I had been there, even if it did turn into a rumble at the Met.  What kind of mayhem will they have in store for us next year?  I don’t know about you, but I can hardly wait.