In the celebrity world, where stars like Kate Bosworth and Diane Kruger have already proven their style power, it's not easy to break through, let alone be the breakout fashion star of the year. Nina Dobrev, the rising talent from The Vampire Diaries, did just that, beating out a veritable who's who of young Hollywood stars, including Solange Knowles and Allison Williams. With a penchant for ultrafeminine designers like Monique Lhuillier, Elie Saab, and J. Mendel — not to mention an affinity for showing off her stems — she set herself apart in bold hues, lacy details, and a sweet-chic sensibility, though we may attribute her breakout status to just one jaw-dropping appearance: the gilded Donna Karan Atelier gown she wore down the Met Gala red carpet. Of course, it's really up to you to decide which look you love best (and there are more than just a few to choose from). Click on to see the moments that earned Nina Dobrev her breakout title.
