Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy in the Big Apple.

Hollywood’s finest were razzling and dazzling the night away at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the event of the year -The Costume Institute’s gala opening for their annual fashion exhibition “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy.”Stepping inside the Graeco-Roman gallery, guests could peruse the many super hero costumes from movies such as Spiderman and Batman. However the star attraction of the exhibition was the armour worn by Robert Downey Junior in the latest Hollywood smash “Iron Man.”

“Superheroes are about issues of the body, identity and transformation, about acting your fantasies and transforming yourself into anyone or anything you want to be. Those are all the things at the heart of fashion,” says Andrew Bolton, curator of the Costume Institute.

Ah the fashion! Who could forget the fashion? I’m not talking about the exhibits now, I’m referring to the glamorous guests who were posing and pouting in their latest haute couture gowns. Mind you for £7, 500 a ticket, you’d certainly make the effort to dress up a little and boy did they dress up!

Eva Longoria Parker ruffled a few feathers with her purple Marchesa gown. I adore the drama on the skirt of this gown but I feel as though the bodice is a little too fussy for her petite frame.

Mischa Barton also plumped for ruffles with this Missoni gown. I find the ruffles a little too much as it’s competing with details on the bodice. However I think she’s really accessorized well.

Another ruffle convert was Beyonce, albeit on a much smaller scale with this strapless pink Armani gown but do you think she is playing it safe?

Not as safe as Sarah Michelle Gellar. There’s simplicity and then there’s dull! This being the latter I’m afraid.

Newly engaged Scarlett Johanssen stepped out in this nude Dolce and Gabbana gown. The structure of the gown suits her figure, the tulle skirt is beautiful and yet somehow I feel as though this is an incomplete ensemble; like it’s as if she wandered outside in her underwear and forgot her top.

Kate Bosworth dazzled in this dynamic rainbowed cocktail dress from Chanel Haute Couture.

Her shoes are just genius. Its transparency keeps the entire ensemble from looking too busy. It really fits in well with the super hero theme of the night.

The Jury is out on Katie Holmes and her Armani gown. On closer inspection, the detail and colour of the sequinned gown is beautiful combined with the magic of bright blue Christian Louboutin shoes!

Picture: Katie schmoozing with George Clooney in Giorgio Armani and Julia Roberts in Armani Privé.

But stand away and look at it as a whole?

Her normally statuesque frame appears stumpy and frumpy. I think to balance this; the skirt of the gown should skim the floor and not her ankles.

Tip - This is why short girls should stay away from cropped trousers. It makes you look stunted. Believe me.

But at least Katie combed and washed her hair unlike Mary-Kate Olsen. I don’t really understand how she considered a fashion icon when she looks like a bag lady most of the time but oh well that’s the world of fashion for you.

Her dress is actually a rather gorgeous gold Diane von Furstenberg gown.

Rachel Bilson swept in with this beautiful fish tailed Calvin Klein number. Not sure if a fringe really suits her.

I’ll raise my hand up and say I’m not entirely sure what Zhang Ziyi is wearing! The single ornate strap catches the light perfectly. I think in any other colour there is a high risk of the skirt being overwhelming as it is detailed but the black really keeps it subtle.

And finally a regal Victoria Beckham strolled in what appears to be see-through flannel dressing gown. I’m not sure this is one of her most successful fashion endeavours

But the good news is that she accessorized well. Honestly girls, you can’t really fail by sporting a handsome man on your arm can you?

Images credit: Celebutopia