Love Clothing: The Met Ball 2012: The Best and Worst Dressed….

The Met Ball 2012

The Met Ball is perhaps the biggest annual fashion event besides the Oscars red carpet. This year's event is celebrating the new "Schiaparelli And Prada: Impossible Conversations" exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the stars turned up in gowns that were gorgeous, outrageous, and sometimes confusing. Shine StaffIt's known as the Oscars of the fashion industry but even by such elevated standards Monday night's Costume Institute gala dinner and ball at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York was a flamboyant affair.

Cameron Diaz, The Bad Teacher actress looked stunning in a custom-made Stella McCartney gown created from organic, certified silk adorned with thousands of glass beads and crystal chain as she attended the annual fashion event at the city's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Kristen Stewart epitomises the face every teenage tomboy pulls when their mother makes them wear a dress. She wore this Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière colour-block outfit that is bound to divide fashion critics. The actress accessorised this edgy choice with mulitstrap white sandals.

The usually-stylish Sarah Jessica Parker would have left alter ego Carrie Bradshaw crying into her Starbucks as she arrived in what can only be described as a curtain.

Beyoncé Knowles wasn’t feeling insecure about showing off her post-baby curves at the Met Ball. The singer donned this sheer Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci gown, which was embellished with sequins around the body, and stretched out into a two tone purple and black feather train.

While many stars chose long evening gowns, Gwyneth Paltrow opted for a shorter hemline with this lilac halterneck dress by Prada. The front and back of the dress were relatively plain, but the side pockets were decorated with matching pailettes. Her shoes were also by Prada and those elegant hoop earrings are by Anna Hu.

Scarlett Johansson was a red carpet princess at the Met Ball, lighting up the red carpet in a one-of-a-kind pearl-embroidered off-the-shoulder Dolce & Gabbana gown. We adore the ballerina skirt and golden embellishments.

Rihanna threw us a fashion curve-ball with this uncharacteristically demure floor-length black gown. The twist: Tom Ford’s long black dress has a super-low back and has a shiny, textured croc-skin finish.

Face of Burberry Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looked gorgeous in a striped dress by the brand, featuring a beaded collar and glimmering train. The supermodel gave the look an extra edge by finishing it with a sleek high bun and feline eye make-up.

Golden girl Leighton Meester was flawless in a metallic Marchesa embellished tulle gown that clung to the Gossip Girl star’s perfect curves. She finished the look off with a Marchesa handbag, Harry Winston jewels, Tabitha Simmons shoes and fresh, glowing skin.

Renée Zellweger was another star making a nod to the sheer trend, in this gorgeous Emilio Pucci panelled black gown. Huge diamond chandelier earrings are mandatory for the Met Ball.

Lace was the order of the day for Rooney Mara who wore this asymmetric black gown, custom-made from Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci.

Camilla Belle was one of the many stars who went for a metallic number at the Met Ball, shimmering down the red carpet in this molten-silver Ralph Lauren Collection gown.

Mary-Kate Olsen made the most of the Met Ball red carpet, by choosing to promote her own label The Row.

Trust Florence Welch to wear one of the Met Ball’s most eccentric outfits. The singer certainly made an entrance in this 3D Dandelion embroidered organza tiered dress, courtesy of Alexander McQueen. In fact her entire outfit was by the designer, including her Armadillo heel sandals and knuckle box clutch.

Jessica Alba loves her gold dresses so we weren’t surprised to see her turning to the colour for the Met Ball. Her one-shouldered Grecian goddess gown was by Michael Kors and made from draped lamé. She accessorised with Wilfredo Rosado jewellery.