The Met Costume Institute Gala was held last night, and even for those who don't like the standard red carpet circus, this one is usually pretty interesting. For one, the event was hosted by Vogue editrix Anna Wintour and the most powerful woman in the world, Oprah Winfrey. Another female powerhouse, Lady Gaga, performed for the crowd inside... but sadly didn't walk the red carpet, letting Katy Perry don the most unusual outfit for the press outside (it lit up with LED lights). As for what happens behind the Met's closed doors during the annual event, Wintour says, "Oh, we're very, very well behaved." However, Oprah walked in proclaiming she was ready for a few shots of tequila! more ›

Last night the rich, famous, recession-proof and beautiful came together under the roof of the Met for the annual Costume Institute Ball, in celebration of the museum's new exhibit called Model as Muse. While last year the theme was superhero, this year's was supermodel, and Style has a thorough rundown of the glamorous night (that the NY Post thought was more Zoolander-inspired). The evening wasn't without some drama, of course, the NY Times reports that designer Azzedine Alaïa wasn't included in the exhibit, so some of his muses, like Naomi Campbell, refused to attend. There were still plenty of best and worst dressed to gawk at, however. more ›

If you're a vintage couture enthusiast, and we imagine there are quite a few in this city, you probably already know about socialite, philanthropist, clotheshorse and fashion maven Nan Kempner - and how trunks of her wardrobe are being sold tomorrow with items going for $25 and up (and way up). more ›

When asked in 2005 what train wreck of a celebrity she would give some advice to, then-Gawker editor Jessica Coen said, "Lindsay Lohan, may God help you secure a room at Promises." Lohan ended up going to Wonderland for rehab, and apparently it didn't work any wonders on her. Adding to the list of Long Islanders giving New Yorkers a bad name is the one and only La Lohan. Recently in town for the Costume Institute Gala and the Maxim Hot List party, she managed to keep out of trouble. Perhaps that's because her car was in Los Angeles. And perhaps that's because last time she drove in New York she ran down a West Village photographer and is now being sued. more ›

Anna Wintour, Balenciaga's Nicolas Ghesquière, and Cate Blanchett hosted last night's annual Costume Institute gala, which was a celebration of Paul Poiret, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Poirot was the pioneer in modern fashion, and freed women from petticoats and corsets - though many, even those in attendance last night, aren't familiar with him. Everyone did their best to dress "in the spirit of" the King of Fashion however, including: Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Kirsten Dunst, Renée Zellweger and many other bold-faced names (photos here). more ›

J.Lo, Charlize, Scarlett, Julianne, Sofia...Mandy - they were all there last night. Check out some photos from Yahoo! News and Wireimage. more ›

This should have been self-evident, but the Daily News points out that with the budget crisis the city is in, among the cutbacks New Yorkers will have to face are those to cultural institutions, like no more pay-you-wish at the Met or less operas at BAM. more ›

While Gawker will most likely have more intense coverage, check out pictures of arrivals to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's "Party of the Year" - the Costume Institute gala - at WireImage, like these of Best Acting Oscar winners Nicole Kidman and Adrien Brody. Got love synergistic publicists. more ›