2011 costume institute gala

The red carpet at the Costume Institute Gala was star-studded with actors, models, and designers who gathered to celebrate the work of Alexander McQueen last night in NYC. Stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Diane Kruger ranked among the best dressed at the Met Ball, and they continued celebrating their good style with afterparties across the city. Diane, Brooklyn Decker, Emma Roberts, Alicia Keys, and more kept the fun coming at the Standard Hotel as others headed to the official postbash at the Crown restaurant — check out who else was air-kissing and enjoying cocktails into the wee hours of the night!

Patrick McMullan and INFDaily.com

Our best-dressed women of Met's Costume Institute Gala, for the most part, represented the best of the red carpet mini trends: cutouts, thigh-high slits, long trains, and feathers. Here's a look at the mini trends we saw on what is arguably the biggest night in fashion. Click our slideshow to see, and take note for the next time you're looking for a gown.

Glamorous women brought sexy styles last night to the 2011 Met Gala, but things really heated up between the fabulous duos who came out for one of fashion's biggest nights. From model all-star Gisele and her football pro Tom Brady striking a steamy pose to Beyoncé and Jay-Z looking Sasha-Fierce, the red carpet was filled with lots of couple eye candy. See last night's pictures of the world's most trendsetting twosomes now.

Unlike any other awards night, the Met's Costume Institute Gala is the night where stars and fashion lovers are encouraged to be as bold as possible. Last night, ladies and gents alike gave us plenty to buzz at, and reminded us that fashion should always be good fun. From Vogue editors' bold splashes of color and print to Beyoncé's walking troubles and Karolina's leggings, it was clear that fashion ruled. Click the slideshow to see the most outrageous and amazing looks from the Met Gala 2011.

The lovely ladies who dressed up for last night's Costume Institute Gala kept the good times rolling at the afterparty held at the Standard Hotel. Diane Kruger ditched the high-slitted Jason Wu gown she wore on the red carpet for a short black number from the designer, though she kept her best accessory, boyfriend Joshua Jackson, close. Gwyneth Paltrow continued the festivities in her backless Stella McCartney, which earned her a place on the best dressed of the Met Ball list. She had her good pals Jay-Z and Beyoncé Knowles, in Pucci, along for the fun, while a Miu Miu-clad Michelle Williams made the rounds with a guy friend. Kristen Stewart was a belle of the ball in a special Proenza Schouler gown, and she had one of the label's designers, Lazaro Hernandez, as her date to the late bash with her real-life love, Robert Pattinson, abroad showing off Water For Elephants in Europe.

Last night's Met Gala was a feast for the sartorial eyes. The dominant colors of the evening — red, nude, and gold — were at opposite ends of the color spectrum, but they carried an equally big impact. Some stars chose sexy red gowns, some mixed nude tones with a bit of sparkle, and others went for pure gold. Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson shined in their gilded dresses, while Victoria's Secret model Lily Aldridge and Kristen Bell were a vision in liquid gold. Click our slideshow to see the best of the golden girls.