Met Gala 2012 Fashion - Tiers, Trains and The Death of Pink Tresses

Last night New York's Metropolitan Museum played host fash pack plus a few randoms (James Cordon?? Apparently he's big on Broadway now) at the US Vogue-produced annual Costume Institute Benefit, aka the Met Ball, or as Vogue prefer, the Met Gala.

Called the 'East Coast Oscars', the Met Ball is a serious fashion occasion where the Red Carpet is EVERYTHING but more often than not this year's event, held in honour of Miuccia Prada and Elsa Schiapparelli, previewing the forthcoming must see Met exhibition, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, drew gasps in more of a hot mess kind of way, with only a few notable exceptions.

I adore the tasselled, tiered, look of Florence Welch in Alexander McQueen (as usual), pictured spinning to show off the dress' movement, above, and Scarlett Johansson's heavily embellished golden off the shoulder Dolce & Gabbana gown was exquisite but - given the fuzziness of the livestream - I thought she'd already arrived when I saw blonde bombshell no. 2, Amber Heard, make her entrance in this dusky Zac Posen number.

As Twitter blew up over supercool supermodel Coco Roca working pink hair on the carpet I thought it was going to be so major, especially teamed with Liz Taylor's canary yellow vintage Givenchy trouser suit (complete with Liz-spilled wine stain, not yet removed) but ohhhhhh... what a shame Tulisa of all people got there first, and on Britain's Got Talent too. So not high fashion. I think this has officially killed off the pink tips trend for good.

Trains and feathered hems were everywhere and with varying degrees of success (I love you Beyonce so I'm not even going to go into it) - my favourite was Cate Blanchett in another McQueen creation (below) but this time in chic but camera-unfriendly black. How Rihanna got into her slinky, scoop back Tom Ford sheath dress made from one piece of crocodile skin is a mystery (she said it was stretchy - what sorcery is this, Mr. Ford?) but it was perfect for her - maybe she should give her stylist's number to Kristen Stewart? #justsayin

PS. The livestream from last night is still available to watch on the Met's website here - I totally recommend it, especially for the paparazzi and their hilarious shouts at people blocking their shots, "COULD YOU GO TEXT SOMEWHERE ELSE??" etc. and mistaking Florence Welch, Cate Blanchett and McQueen supremo Sarah Burton's group arrival for early 90s girl band, Wilson Phillips - "oh no, actually it's Rage Against the Machine". Brilliant.

All images above from www.nymag.com - check The Cut for a comprehensive collection of Met Gala 2012 red carpet fashions. Rihanna picture, below from www.justjared.com