Costume party the height of fashion

THE stars made sure they were dressed in their very best at the Costume Institute gala dubbed the "party of the year" at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

An eclectic mix of celebrities arrived on Monday night to celebrate the launch of the Chanel exhibit.

The exhibit, one of the most eagerly anticipated fashion retrospectives, opens today.

"There is no other example in the world of fashion for a label surviving 100 years and being still in the top of fashion and the top of trendiness," said Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel's designer since 1983.

Nicole Kidman, who is the face of Chanel No 5 perfume, was co-chair of the gala, along with Lagerfeld and Anna Wintour, editor in chief of Vogue magazine.

Guests included Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson, Sheryl Crow, Jessica Simpson, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Marcia Cross, Elijah Wood and Marilyn Manson, who wore a black military coat with his trademark black eye make-up and dark lipstick.

"I'm just looking forward to trying to create and bring back the excitement of when art and fashion crossed together with Salvador Dali and (Elsa) Schiaparelli and tried to make people excited about being dressed up again," Manson said.

Melania Trump, bride of Donald Trump, was among those who were dressed in Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel's traditional colours of black and white. Her strapless black gown had a white trim at the hem. Wintour and Naomi Watts wore white. Among those in black were Mariska Hargitay and Lauren Bush.

Going against the black and white trend: Elle Macpherson, in a sea-foam strapless corset gown; Lil' Kim, dressed in red; and Christian Slater, who wore a bright red shirt with his dark suit.

"Young, really young girls, love Chanel, and also, obviously, the socialites love it," said Carmen Electra, who wore a sleek, sweetheart neckline gown. "The fact that it crossed over is so amazing. I'm a huge fan."