Met Ball 2013: Madonna displays punk credentials in ripped fishnet stockings

In pictures: from Beyonce to Gwyneth Paltrow - the celebrities who embraced the anarchic theme - and those who shied away from it completely

"Material Girl" Madonna embraced the punk theme at last night's Met Ball wearing rather less material than usual in a pair of ripped fishnet stockings accompanied by by tartan studded jacket and leather gloves - and no discernible skirt or trousers.

The performer, 54, said she was a fan of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen "and that whole era." Still, she added, she didn't want her outfit to be too literal. "I wanted to do my own thing, but my own twist on it."

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Miley Cyrus, Anne Hathaway and Cameron Diaz were among the celebrities to embrace the punk theme at the Met gala, the fundraiser at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art that's affectionately known as "the party of the year." But Beyonce, the event's honorary chairwoman, chose an outfit more appropriate for the Oscars than a show of punk anarchy.

Wearing a flame-motif gown with long gloves and a long train by Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci, Beyonce was one of the last arrivals, following in the studded heel footsteps of Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lawrence and Jennifer Lopez.

Beyonce was already thinking ahead, though, wondering if she'd need scissors at the end of the night to get out of the corset.

Many stars embraced the big Costume Institute exhibit they were there to celebrate: Punk: From Chaos to Couture. Beyonce's co-chairs for the event included Tisci, who escorted Rooney Mara, who wore a white lace gown with exaggerated shoulders and a heavy-hardware zip front.

Mara said she never went through a punk fashion phase but "I was definitely a punk."

Tisci also dressed Kim Kardashian, who has seen much of her maternity wardrobe reviewed — almost always negatively — on social media on a daily basis. The online critics have more fodder with her floral-print, high-neck gown.

In a more classic style — but likely tabloid fodder anyway — were Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn, walking the red carpet as a couple.

Sarah Jessica Parker donned an oversized feather mohawk by Philip Treacy that complemented her graffiti-splashed and slashed gown by Giles Deacon, which she also paired with custom-made, thigh-high, tartan-plaid Christian Louboutin boots. She paid careful attention to the theme, she said. "I just want to be asked back next year! That's all that matters!"

Cameron Diaz and Anne Hathaway both said they were influenced by the punk scene — especially the music — when they were growing up. Diaz came with Kristen Stewart and Stella McCartney, who designed both of their outfits. Diaz's cobalt-colored cape dress had a severe studded belt. "I feel so chic," Diaz said.

Hathaway showed off a short blond hairdo, not dissimilar to Miley Cyrus', and a vintage burned-out Valentino gown. Hathaway said her inspiration for the outfit was Blondie's Debbie Harry, who was just a few steps ahead on the red carpet in a glitzy studded blazer by Tommy Hilfiger.

"Punk rock has a unique culture and distinct style that I really admire," Hilfiger told The Associated Press earlier in the day. "Music of all genres has always been a central influence in my designs. I tend to gravitate more toward classic American rock, but I listen to and love punk rock albums from The Ramones and Blondie."

Katie Holmes, in a molded gown with a metal halter neckline by Calvin Klein's Francisco Costa, also gave a nod to Harry as her punk icon.

The Met gala traditionally mixes Hollywood stars, fashion designers and top models. It's largely orchestrated by Anna Wintour, Vogue's editor-in-chief. She wore a hot-pink floral Chanel gown, which she said is a color that symbolizes the punk movement.

The edgy theme could have thrown some people off their fashion game. "I think (punk) is so eclectic and so original and maybe it sort of represents what's very fearless about fashion."

AP