Met Ball 2014: Costume Institute Benefit Gala

Sarah Jessica Parker wearing an Oscar de la Renta dress to the Met Ball 2014

(Image credit: Rex Features)

published 6 May 2014

The Met Ball welcomed a host of celebrities to New York as they embraced 2014's theme - white tie. See all the stars and stunning style at this year's event...

It was a seriously starry night in New York as the A-list donned their most fabulous finery for fashion's biggest bash of the year - the Met Ball 2014. This year, the exclusive event celebrated the opening of a very special exhibition: Charles James: Beyond Fashion, paying tribute to the British-Born designer known as 'America's first couturier'. The theme was White Tie and Decorations, and the designers, once again, outdid themselves.

Leading a (very) long line of A-listers were blonde beauty Blake Lively and hubby Ryan Reynolds, who looked every inch the superstar couple in Gucci.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

Click on for more stars, style and dresses from the Met Ball 2014...

Blake Lively wearing a Gucci dress to the Met Ball 2014

Blake Lively's stepped out in some stunning Met Ball dresses in her time (who could forget that beautiful blue Chanel?), but her shimmering golden Gucci gown has to be one of our favourites. The actress accessorised the sequinned number with Louboutin Body Strass shoes, tumbling blonde Old Hollywood-style locks, ruby jewels, and a dazzling smile.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker's known for her stand-out Met Ball style, and her 2014 look was certainly no different. The Sex and the City starlet kicked off the evening's proceedings in a voluminous black and pink Oscar de la Renta gown, complete with signed, patterned train, elbow-length gloves and a show-stopping updo.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker posed for photos on the iconic Metropolitan Museum Of Modern Art steps, before sweeping inside in her Oscar de la Renta gown. Carrie Bradshaw would be proud.

David Beckham and Victoria Beckham

British duo David and Victoria Beckham cemented their style icon status with a show-stopping appearance on the Met Ball 2014 red carpet. While Victoria was all white in her own label, David looked suitably dapper in a Ralph Lauren Black Label tuxedo suit.

Victoria Beckham

Never one to be outdone, Victoria Beckham pulled out all the stops for her Met Ball 2014 red carpet appearance in a slinky white dress of her own design. VB accessorised the strapless gown, which featured her trademark full-length zip, with diamond Jacob & Co. earrings and bracelet, Casadei ivory suede pumps with the signature Blade heel, and a sweeping side 'do.

Lupita Nyong'o

Fashion's new darling Lupita Nyong'o certainly made a statement with her Met Ball 2014 look. The 12 Years A Slave actress, currently taking the industry by storm, set flashbulbs alight in a bejewelled green flapper dress by Prada and shimmering Cartier jewels.

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon sent temperatures soaring in a sizzling strapless Stella McCartney gown. The actress, one of several who wore the British designer for the prestigious fashion event, smouldered for the cameras in the hot pink number, adding dazzling diamond jewels and Louboutin Lady Peep heels to complete her look.

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart was one of the lucky few wearing Chanel on the Met Ball 2014 red carpet. Fresh from her super-cool advertising campaign for the French fashion house, the Twilight starlet stepped out in a black & gold sequin, tulle and feather embroidered dress from the SSS14 Haute Couture Collection, teamed with Louboutin heels and a fiery red 'do.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé

Beyonce and Jay-Z rocked the red carpet like royalty as they arrived for New York's biggest fashion bash. Queen Bey looked every inch the superstar in an embellished black Givenchy dress, shoes and headpiece, teamed with glittering black Lorraine Schwartz jewels, while Jay was suave in a crisp white tux. Gorgeous.

Suki Waterhouse

Suki Waterhouse turned Burberry beauty in a fairytale dusky pink dress by the British fashion house. The model of the moment attended with boyfriend Bradley Cooper, who jointly hosted this year's event.

Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson

Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson made for one seriously hot couple as they arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for the prestigious Met Ball 2014. The pair were a sight for sore eyes as they posed for photos on the red carpet.

Diane Kruger

Blonde beauty Diane Kruger looked every inch the Hollywood starlet in a shimmering Jason Wu for Hugo Boss column dress, Edie Parker clutch and Jaeger LeCoultre jewels. A classic low undo completed her glamorous Met Ball look. Top marks.

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, who are expected to marry in a lavish French ceremony later this month, pulled out all the style stops for their Met Ball 2014 appearance. The reality TV beauty, who last year split style opinions in a floral, gloved Givenchy creation, this year chose strapless Lanvin with a daring side split for her red carpet appearance, as did her other half. What do YOU think of Kim Kardashian's Met Ball dress?

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley chose an embellished leather and gold Balmain mini dress and matching heels for her Met Ball 2014 red carpet appearance. The British beauty, who arrived on the arm of the fashion house's creative director, Olivier Rousteing, added statement jewels, a sleek, pared down 'do and a smouldering stare.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift was oh-so-pretty in a pale pink Oscar de la Renta gown, one of several starlets to opt for the spring shade on the evening. The actress accessorised her column gown - complete with train and cascading bow - and Louboutin heels with her trademark blonde curls and a scarlet red lip.

Kirsten Dunst

The force was certainly with Kristen Dunst as she arrived on the Met Ball 2014 red carpet in a Star Wars-themed asymmetric Rodarte gown. The actress added diamond jewels, a smokey aye and subtle red lip to finish her intergalactic look. Wow.

Chloe Grace Moretz

Chloe Moretz brought the Wild West into the heart of New York last night, choosing a statement gown from Chanel's Paris-Dallas Collection for her red carpet look. The actress, who looked far older than her 17 years, accessorised with a Plume bracelet, and 18K Yellow Gold Chanel Fine Jewellery ring.

Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung provided a refreshing break from this year's voluminous Met Ball gowns in an understated powder blue ruched frock by Nina Ricci. Her trademark, wavy locks and a vintage clutch completed her red carpet look.

Hailee Steinfeld

She may be just 17 years of age, but actress Hailee Steinfeld more than proved her fashion credentials in a statement Prabal Gurung optical illusion gown, Charlotte Olympia heels, and Van Cleef and Arpels jewels. Beautiful.

Elizabeth Olsen

Marie Clarie cover girl Elizabeth Olsen showed off her perfect pins in a powder blue Miu Miu mini dress at the Met Ball 2014. A super-glam updo and smokey eye completed her red carpet look.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Maggie Gyllenhaal divided fashion opinions in a statement printed Valentino cape and dress as she arrived at the Met Ball 2014 on the arm of brother Jake. What do you think of her look?

Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen

Style mavens Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen both wore vintage to the Met Ball 2014, stepping out in Ferre and Chanel respectively. The talented twins, both regular fixtures on the Met Ball red carpet, chose their fashion-fabulous looks from the Lily et Cie vintage shop in Beverly Hills.

Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne flew the flag for British fashion on the Met Ball 2014 red carpet, choosing head-to-toe Stella McCartney for her red carpet look. The model, one of the few not to go all-out in a gown, added Cartier jewels, a smokey eye and side swept, wavy 'do to finish her look.

Michelle Williams

Embracing the evening's trend for minis, Michelle Williams went short and sweet for the Met Ball 2014, hitting the red carpet in an eye-popping Louis Vuitton frock.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard set tongues wagging as they arrived on the Met Ball 2014 red carpet. The super-glam couple were the epitome of old Hollywood glamour, she in a golden Giambattista Valli gown, and he in Ralph Lauren Purple Label.

Rihanna

Rihanna showed off her washboard abs in a flesh flashing Stella McCartney two-piece as she arrived on the Met Ball 2014 red carpet. The sexy songstress, one of several to wear Ms McCartney's designs on the evening, accessorised with Jacob & Co. jewels, Louboutin Iriza heels and a loose updo.

Emma Stone at the Met Gala 2014

Emma Stone put her fashion foot forward in a pink Thakoon two-piece and silver Miu Miu shoes at the Met Ball 2014. The Spider-Man starlet, who has been getting her styling spot on in recent weeks, added a loose side plait and metallic make-up, and arrived on the arm of British actor beau Andrew Garfield.

Marion Cotillard

Marion Cotillard looked seriously glam in midnight blue Dior Haute Couture on the Met Ball red carpet, but it wasn't her designer dress that got people talking. The Oscar-winning actress accessorised her look with just one Chopard earring. Why? We're not sure...

Katie Holmes

Katie Holmes seemingly looked to Disney for her White Tie and Decorations style inspiration, arriving in a gown rather similar to the one worn by Belle in Beauty and the Beast. The actress teamed her strapless Marchesa creation with more than $2 million worth of Harry Winston Yellow Diamonds, including earstuds and a yellow diamond ring (wow!), Louboutin Pigalle heels, loose, wavy locks and a smile for the cameras.

Lily Allen

She's only just arrived back on the music scene, but British songstress Lily Allen rocked the Met Ball red carpet with the best of them in a muted ruffled Chanel dress and Louboutin Lady Peep heels.

Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba was one of several stars going for gold on Met Ball night. The actress wore hers in the form of lovely lace by Diane Von Furstenberg, adding Brian Atwood heels and pretty Doves by Doron Paloma earrings. The actress, who arrived on the arm of hubby Cash Warren, wore her long locks in a classic, old Hollywood updo. Gorgeous.

Lea Michele

Glee girl Lea Michele was a VERY long way from McKinley High when she hit the red carpet in a shimmering golden Altuzarra gown and Christian Louboutin T-Slick heels. What would Rachel Berry say?!

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway turned scarlet lady for her moment in the Met Ball spotlight, hitting the red carpet in a midriff-baring Calvin Klein bustier and skirt. The Oscar winner added Vhernier earrings and a Rauwolf to complete her look.

Cara Delevingne, Rihanna, Stella McCartney, Kate Bosworth and Reese Witherspoon

Here come the girls! Brit designer Stella McCartney had the A-list positively queuing up to wear her designs to the Met Ball 2014. The fashion face dressed model of the moment Cara Delevingne, songstress Rihanna and actresses Kate Boswoth and Reese Witherspoon for the event. WOW.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron had a monochrome moment on the Met Ball red carpet, choosing a stunning Dior gown and the Jimmy Choo Ingrid sandal for the occasion. The actress, who dazzled in Fred Leighton jewels, arrived on the arm of new beau Sean Penn.

Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie showed off her tiny frame in a Donna Karan Atelier backless velvet dress and Louboutin Pigalle Follies. But it wasn't so much her dress that attracted our attention as her shocking purple new 'do.

Eddie Redmayne and Hannah Bagshawe

Eddie Redmayne and girlfriend Hannah Bagshawe looked polished to perfection as they arrived on the Met Ball red carpet. Both wore Burberry, with Hannah's teal blue silk floral print ruffle dress, grey satin box clutch and satin shoes the envy of the Marie Claire office.

Clare Danes

Homeland actress Claire Danes went all-out for the Met Ball 2014, in a fairytale-worthy Oscar de la Renta gown. The blonde beauty arrived at the prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art on the arm of hubby Hugh Dancy. Aww

Kate Bosworth

Kate Bosworth embraced the evening's trend for pretty pink hues in a blush Stella McCartney dress with spaghetti straps and gentle train. The actress accessorised with Anna Sheffield jewels and a slicked back 'do. Beautiful.

Shailene Woodley

She's tipped to be the new Jennifer Lawrence, and Divergent star Shailene Woodley certainly isn't shy when it comes to making a fashion statement. The actress hit the red carpet in a strapless Valentino dress, showing off her new short 'do.

Rita Ora

Rita Ora was a golden girl for her turn on the Met Ball red carpet, stepping out in a Donna Karan Atelier gown, complete withs sparkling sequins. The songstress accessorised with custom made Casadei over the knee boots (wow), and Lorraine Schwartz jewels.

Leighton Meester

Gossip Girl Leighton Meester dared to bare on the Met Ball red carpet in a plunge necked golden Emilio Pucci gown. The actress, who married OC star Adam Brody in a secret ceremony earlier this year, finished her look with the Jimmy Choo Deny sandal and loose, wavy locks.

Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue channelled her inner Grecian goddess in an embellished white Marchesa gown for her turn on the Met Ball red carpet. Holding her own amongst even the most famous of A-listers, the pint-sized pop princess accessorised with a handful of Harry Winston Diamonds, including daytime diamond drop earrings and a princess-cut diamond bracelet. Jealous? Us?

Zoe Saldana

She's known for her bold red carpet frocks, and the Met Ball was no different this year for Zoe Saldana. The actress made a serious style statement in a tiered Michael Kors halterneck frock, teamed with towering Christian Louboutin heels.

Click on for more stars, style and beautiful dresses from the Met Ball 2014...