AP Photos: Met Gala red carpet

NEW YORK (AP) - The red carpet is the main show at the annual gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, and ascending the famous stairs is not something seasoned style veteran Sarah Jessica Parker takes lightly.

“Well I think there’s something unique about these particular steps. Nothing more terrifying than these particular steps,” she said Monday night, escorted by Valentino. “But I think there’s a focus that’s different than a movie premiere. It’s about celebrating discipline and skill and celebrating this important museum.”

Her gown was, of course, Valentino: a long-sleeve, high-neck metallic floral gown worn with a belt.

Sofia Vergara said she was “very happy” to be invited back to the gala, which is largely organized by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

“I have a dress from Marchesa and jewels from Harry Winston,” Vergara said. “I’m enjoying it… I have seen everyone, Jessica Alba, look at her, how divine. Look at the models. I don’t even know if they are models or palm trees.”

(Alba wore a gold-lame, one-shoulder goddess gown by Michael Kors.)

Model Karolina Kurkova collaborated with Rachel Zoe to create her rose-gold sequin gown with an open back and matching dramatic headpiece. “So this is really special to me that it’s my own creation and that she let me co-design it with her and I get to wear it tonight to the Met Ball and no one else has it. No one’s seen it. This is really one of a kind.”

Tommy Hilfiger, in a classic tuxedo with white pocket square, soaked it all in. “It’s the Super Bowl of fashion.”

Appropriately even a few star quarterbacks put in an appearance: Tom Brady went with Gisele Bundchen and Tim Tebow rubbed elbows with stars like Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Heidi Klum and Florence Welch. The gala celebrates the new fashion exhibit that compares the designs of Miuccia Prada, who wore a pantsuit to the event, and the late Elsa Schiaparelli.

Mixed in among the serious fahionistas was late-night funnyman Jimmy Fallon.

“Oh my gosh! All the makeup, all the hair!” he joked of his primping process. “This looks like real hair right? Piece by piece, it’s yak hair.”

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