by Pamela Grossman

The “Punk: Chaos to Couture” exhibit is a hit for the Metropolitan Museum, with eager crowds turning up to see the styles, designs, and artifacts that helped define the punk movement decades ago and carry its spirit into today’s times.

At the Met’s Costume Institute Benefit Ball, which marked the exhibit’s opening earlier this month, honorary chair Beyonce of course brought her center-stage flair and star power, appearing in a strapless Givenchy gown with a high slit and a flame motif, arm-length black gloves, and matching flame-patterned boots. Her sister, Solange Knowles, rocked the party in a blue-and-black patterned Kenzo gown and her dramatically beautiful trademark afro.

A glittering collection of celebrities also stepped up with show-stopping looks. Katie Holmes was stunning in an ivory backless Calvin Klein gown—in an appropriate nod to punk, its train appeared torn into strips. Anne Hathaway took the punk look from her outfit—a gorgeous and very sheer vintage Valentino gown—to her hair, freshly dyed blond for the event in a tribute to music legend Debbie Harry, who also attended. Sarah Jessica Parker shone in a Giles Deacon gown recalling Abstract Expressionist Jackson Pollock, plaid thigh-high Louboutin boots, and a fantastic Philip Treacy headpiece in the shape of the iconic punk mohawk.

Musicians were well represented in the crowd. Madonna wowed in a Givenchy jacket over a fishnet body stocking with pink Casadel heels. Nope, she wore no skirt or pants—but this look worked for her, and if we had her butt and legs, we might do the same. Florence Welch brought a bohemian vibe in a black-fringed Givenchy Fall 2012 gown. And Gwen Stefani looked like a fabulous gift-wrapped present in a custom-designed Maison Martin Mariel dress that showed her great midriff and featured a big, ribbon-like tie across the front.

Of course, no one at the gala was more central to the exhibit or more appropriately outfitted than legendary designer Vivienne Westwood. Ms. Westwood chose not to answer questions about who designed the pastel clothes she was wearing, but she did want to speak about the laminated photo of imprisoned whistle-blower Bradley Manning (with the word “Truth” emblazoned across the bottom edge) that she’d attached to her lapel with safety pins. She explained that Manning’s goals and her own within the punk movement were similar: “Justice and [the drive to] have a better world.”

In support of the exhibit, Westwood generously donated some of her designs for display. Meanwhile, bringing her work to life at the event were Gavin Rossdale, in a Fall 2012 Vivienne Westwood Man green tartan-patterned suit, and Christina Ricci, in a gorgeous asymmetrical strapless plaid Westwood gown.

Emma Wtson looked like a confident, sexy grown-up in a black gown with asymmetrical cut-outs by Prabal Gurung. Uma Thurman chose color with a form-fitting jade gown by Zac Posen that showed off her gorgeous figure; Kate Beckinsale picked a bright hue as well with a bold and lovely ruby-red Alberta Ferretti dress. Both Nicole Richie and Julianne Hough went with British designer Topshop—Richie looking like a snow princess in a sleek white gown and her hair dyed white with a blue tint, Hough in a silver strapless three-quarter-length dress with a ballet skirt that seemed like what Degas’ dancers might wear in modern times. January Jones picked a fierce mid-thigh-length black-sequined dress from Chanel Spring/Summer 2009 Haute Couture and Nicole Kirkwood heels, her dramatic makeup channeling music icon Annie Lennox.

Guys turned on the fashion heat as well—in addition to Rossdale’s Westwood choice, one standout was Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in a midnight-blue Brunello Cucinelli tux. His rakishly crooked bow tie may or may not have been deliberate, but it was a great touch.

“Punk: Chaos to Couture” will run at the Met through August 14.

http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions