Few occasions necessitate full on fashion ferocity like the Costume Institute Gala at New York’s Metropolitan Museum. Everyone who’s anyone in fashion comes in their best red carpet outfits to sparkle and cheese in front of the flashing lights. A few selections for today’s Hot! or Hmm..

Rihanna took a break from house hunting and clubbing to grace her first red carpet since her Chris Brown snafu. The idea of her Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2009 cropped pant suit is hot, but in application, this gets a hmmm…Honestly we’ve seen her in much cuter even on casual occasions. The voluminous shoulders, slicked hair, bow tie, and all black take away from her typical chic allure.

Beauty Tyra Banks also donned all black, but kept it traditional in a Badgley Mischka strapless gown. With “Model as Muse” as the theme for the night, Tyra went for uber glam with a pompadour and dramatic makeup. As with Rihanna, I’ve seen Tyra look hotter, and this time she gets a Hmm…maybe a long flowing mane would have been more flattering.

Iman represented the model contingent flawlessly in a Donna Karan one shoulder champagne gown. Her hair and makeup are beautiful, and she exudes grace with her regal stature. Hot!

Covergirl Chanel Iman was also quite regal in a plunging Zac Posen gown and Montblanc jewels. The long train and gauzy fabric on this exotic print dress is totally fitting for such a glamorous fete. Tres Chic!

Alek Wek went the opposite direction, wearing a thigh grazing dress in a pop of eye catching purple. For some reason this dress doesn’t scream ‘formal,’ yet with Alek’s beauty she can pull anything off! Hot!

Eva Mendes went for a simple style and shimmered in a Calvin Klein gown… definitely not a Hmmm, but also not simmering hot! I would have liked to see something a bit more dramatic like ruffles, a train, or a pop of color like Rosario Dawson…

…who shined in a pink strapless number by Diane von Furstenberg. The tousled hair could have been pulled back into a tight chignon, but overall Rosario looked simple, elegant, and hot!

Kanye West’s arm candy Amber Rose also went for strapless and sizzled in a red floor length Carolina Herrera frock. Her dramatic red lip and understated jewels play off the color of the dress, and Kanye’s Louis Vuitton tuxedo complements her impeccably. And don’t they look like they’re going to prom? Cute and hot!

Eva Longoria Parker was also cute with her hubby Tony Parker, amping up the sauce factor in a black Diane von Furstenberg dress with keyhole front and open back. She looked super sexy…hot!

Our favorite ATLien Ciara also sauced it up an open back black and white Pucci gown dolled up with jewelry by Jack Vartanian. Ciara’s been representing for the A quite well lately, and last night was no exception. Hot!

Lastly our resident fashionisto, Andre Leon Talley, chose a black Isabel Toledo cape and bejeweled Roger Vivier flats for the occasion:

Andre’s look said “I’m over this fashion stuff“, and his costume and comportment accordingly lacked enthusiasm and panache. Triple snaps, however, for his ever present Barack Obama pin accenting his chunky necklace. Obama support is always hot!

What do you guys think?

Bisous!

*See more pictures and commentary at my buddy Catherine’s blog Red Carpet Fashion Awards.

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