When supermodels rocked!

So there's a worldwide recession? Apparently, America's uber-elite glitterati crowd hasn't noticed yet. On Monday night, in New York City, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual Costume Institute Gala -- considered the most glamorous, expensive and fashion-focused party on the planet -- there was nary an empty seat in the house.

This, when the cheapest plate in the place went for Rs 3.7 lakhs! And the most expensive table? Reportedly in the neighbourhood of Rs 1 crore. Talk about fine dining.

Hosted by Vogue magazine editor and fashion industry bigwig Anna Wintour, the event this year served as the kickoff to 'The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion' exhibit, which will be on display at the MET through August.

The exhibit has been designed to highlight the iconic supermodels of the 20th century, and how said supermodels epitomised their epochs. For the paparazzi, the event was a dream made in heaven.

For starters, super-hot singer Rihanna, who recently suffered a breakup over the alleged abuse of her boyfriend Chris Brown, made a triumphant return to the red carpet, wearing a stunning a Dolce and Gabbana suit and tie.

That's not to mention Kate Moss was co-chairing the event, alongside the ever dapper and always sexy pop star Justin Timberlake and pre-eminent designer Marc Jacobs. Ms Moss, in one of Jacobs' creations -- backless, one-shouldered gold lame mini dress with a matching turban - proved that sometimes all that glitters really is gold.

And the celebrities kept coming: Victoria Beckham in pink polka dots, Madonna wearing Louis Vuitton bunny ears, Jessica Alba looking lovely and Hollywood heroines Kate Hudson and Liv Tyler looking glam as usual.

Of the nearly 100 top models hand, some of the more recognisable names included Gisele Bundchen and Cindy Crawford, who mixed up happily with Donatella Versace and Carolina Herrera.

Rumour has it, however, that there was a bit of a model revolt surrounding the event. The who's who of the fashion industry took note on Monday when, hours before the event, Stephanie Seymour and Naomi Campbell announced they would not attend, following complaints from the Paris designer Azzedine Alaa that he wasn't allowed to exhibit his work as part of the collection.

Other attendees included mega-mogul Donald Trump, Kate Bosworth, Bruce Willis, Anne Hathaway, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Gisele's husband NFL quarterback Tom Brady, Eva Longoria and famed 1970's model Twiggy, to name a few.