New York, May 7, 2007 – This year’s Costume Institute Gala celebrated pre-World-War 1 fashion designer Paul Poiret, but most of the glittering guests at the Metropolitan Museum wore strictly modern frocks. Modern may be very appropriate, since Poiret introduced the “total lifestyle” concept of creating clothing, fragrance and home décor, a strategy still popular with fashion houses today. He’s also credited with liberating women from corsets.

Kirsten Dunst gave the period look a shot in a vintage Yves St. Laurent dress. Kirsten’s accessory, rocker boyfriend Johnny Borrell, wore cowboy boots.

We were surprised that the very pregnant Salma Hayek made the scene, but then we found out that her fiancé, Francois-Henri Pinault, was honorary chair of the gala. Balenciaga’s Nicolas Ghesquiere co-chaired, and he dressed Hayek, hostess Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Connelly and Chloe Sevigny for the evening.

Debra Messing greeted Harry Connick Jr. with a big hug; the two played husband and wife on Will & Grace. Liv Tyler was apparently eager to check out Victoria's Secret model Karolina Kukova's bra - the one she was wearing. Tommy Hilfiger apologized to Petra Nemcova, and then turned to us and said, laughing, “I stepped on her dress”. (We saw, Tommy.)

Prada-clad Elizabeth Banks said of her movie Spider-Man 3’s record-breaking weekend box office: “I’m really happy for everyone involved. Although they don’t need my congratulations - they’re counting their dollars all the way to the bank.” You couldn’t even see Grindhouse star Rose McGowan’s machine gun leg under her J. Mendel dress that designer Gilles Mendel whipped up only the day before, when McGowan returned from Morocco.

Asked how he prepared Jessica Simpson’s hair for the gala, Ken Paves admitted that the brownish tresses were from HairDo, her line of clip-in extensions. Jessica arrived late with designer Roberto Cavalli; her beau John Mayer had gotten to the party long before. Paves and Mayer both escorted a rather disheveled Simpson out at the evening’s end.

Lindsay Lohan was very late, missing the cocktail hour and heading straight into the dinner. Lindsay was so fashion forward that she wore Bally – a line that isn't yet available. Her handsome date was Brian Atwood, shoe designer and Bally's newly named creative director.

Even after mastering so many different accents, including playing Brits Bridget Jones and Beatrix Potter, actress Renee Zellweger still hasn’t lost her Texas twang. “Goodnight y’all”, she chirped as she left the soiree.

Poiret: King of Fashion at the Metropolitan Museum thru Aug. 5, 2007