In terms of star wattage, it has become an event to rival The Oscars. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual Costume Institute gala in New York, this year celebrating the centenary of Paul Poiret (credited with freeing women from the corset), was hosted in New York on Monday 7 May by Anna Wintour, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Nicolas Ghesquière and Cate Blanchett. From Chloe Sevigny to Christy Turlington, every star worth her fashion salt was in attendance. Here we select the best of the gowns gliding up the red carpet

Cameron Diaz offsets her stunning fuschia Dior by John Galliano dress with turquoise jewels