Last night’s Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Gala was where good fashion went to die. From Madonna to Stella McCartney to Kirsten Dunst, nearly everyone looked horrible, as if they thought the invitation said “wear the ugliest outfit you can borrow”. There were only a few notable exceptions. Eva Mendes was probably the best dressed in metallic Calvin Klein sleeveless gown – critics (like The Daily Mail) might say she’s boring, but taken with last night’s fashion massacre, Eva comes out looking like the most fashionable lady.

After Eva, the rest of the high-profile guests were bad. The most prominent, and one of the worst dressed, was Madonna. She was wearing this sad, navy, puff-ball Louis Vuitton mini-dress, accessorized with thigh-high patent-leather boots. The best part (and by “best” I mean worst) was Madonna’s hair – it looked greasy and unkempt, and she tied this teal fabric-thing into a small little bun at the top of her head… maybe an avant-garde hat? Oh, and Madonna’s date was Jesus Luz. But after that outfit, I don’t think people were paying attention to him.

Rihanna showed up too, wearing a Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo with what looked like puffy, oversized sleeves. It was unfortunate. Stella McCartney also opted for pants, in a horrible black-and-nude lace suit of her design. Blech:

To say Madonna loves the limelight is an understatement. And knowing she was competing for attention among the world’s most glamorous A-listers, she pulled out all the stops as the worlds of fashion, film and music descended on New York for the annual annual Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Gala.

But the singer’s bizarre mini-puffball outfit, thigh-high dominatrix style boots and starched fabric headdress from Louis Vuitton’s Autumn/Winter 2009 collection saw her veer into the realms of pantomime as she looked less like a Material Girl and more like a bonfide A-list fashion disaster.

It was an even more significant night for the star who is in the midst of an adoption battle for 3-year-old Mercy James, as she stepped out for her first red carpet appearance with toyboy lover Jesus Luz.

Standing proudly as she posed for her close-up, the 50-year-old showed off her rippling muscles in the sleeveless creation, out of which her chest spilled thanks to the well-upholstered corsetry of the minidress.

With her bed head hair, and slightly bedraggled look, the Material Girl’s latest look was a far cry from the flawless appearance she put in at the Oscars back in February. Clearly taking a break from the arduous battle to secure baby Mercy, Madonna indulged in more frivolous matters at last night’s star-studded occasion. But let’s hope the judge doesn’t see this particular outfit, as it might not exactly help her case.

Madonna was joined in the A-list disaster category by singer Rihanna who was making a very high profile return to the red carpet on Monday night. It was her first such appearance since then-boyfriend Chris Brown allegedly beat her in February.

Unfortunately her shiny tuxedo Dolce and Gabbana suit and bow tie with huge puff-sleeved shoulders was not one of the platinum-selling artist’s style hits. The beautiful Bajan born singer, 21, covered up her shapely figure in the unflattering black boxy suit, no doubt disappointing her many fans.

She accessorised her look with a bouffant blonde streaked hairdo, leather gloves and a Mona Lisa smile. Rihanna who has just returned from holidaying in Barbados, was the last celebrity to walk the carpet and did not speak with press.

Meanwhile fashion designer Stella McCartney arrived with her rather well-dressed muses Kate Hudson and Liv Tyler. But it seems that the stardust wore off when it came to dressing herself. Stella opted for a plunging lacy jumpsuit with angled pockets and an tightly waisted obi-style belt.

However, the heavy lace print wouldn’t have looked out of place in Granny McCartney’s parlour and it looks as if the designer’s instincts deserted her in this instance.

Kirsten Dunst’s look was more Nashville than Hollywood, while the usually stylish Gossip Girl actress Leighton Meester’s dress with matching patterned leggings left her looking like a Jack out of the box.

And supermodel Helena Christensen drew the short straw in a mini one shoulder peach concoction emblazoned with the word Vogue – which she was most definitely not.

Olsen twin Mary-Kate was eclipsed in the fashion stakes by sister Ashley who looked stunning in a cowl back Christian Lacroix dress, while her own silver and grey Lacroix gown left her looking like a bar floozie from a western film.

Vogue editor Anna Wintour once again hosted the gala evening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art which ushered in the museum’s spring 2009 exhibition which takes the theme of The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion exhibit.

A stunning turban wearing Kate Moss co-hosted the event along with singer Justin Timberlake. Other guests included Victoria Beckham, Jessica Biel, Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum and Agyness Deyn.

From The Daily Mail

Some of the better-dressed women were unexpected – Marion Cotillard wore a simple, elegant peach-pink strapless dress. Diane Kruger managed to look unique and chic in a white mini-dress, complimented by boyfriend Joshua Jackson, looking fabulous in a classic tuxedo. Heidi Klum sort of overdid it in a purple-blue (I can’t really tell the color, I’m sure it’s different in person) ball-gown. But instead of looking overdressed, Heidi just looked radiant. Oh, and I’m sure people are going to be all over Kate Moss’s turban, but that thing made her look like Gloria Swanson… and not in a good way.