New York, May 5, 2008 – Not many guests dressed in theme for this year’s Costume Institute Gala, understandably, since the exhibition’s theme, superheroes, is difficult to adapt to chic designer eveningwear.  But the red carpet was chock-a-block with superstars, literally.  A woman wafting toward us broke out in a giant smile – it was Julia Roberts, arm-in-arm with Giogio Armani.  George Clooney was over there, talking to a reporter.   Janet Jackson quietly made her way through the throng with beau Jermaine Dupri.   There was a lot of excitement on the red carpet when David and Victoria Beckham arrived; they lingered on the museum steps to catch up with Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony.  While chatting with Hayden Christensen, we glanced up to see Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes beaming as they headed inside for dinner. 

And the boldface names just kept coming - Beyonce, John Mayer, Ellen Barkin, Mary J. Blige, David Bowie, Kate Moss, Donatella Versace and on and on - a seemingly endless parade of stars. 

Scarlett Johansson breezed by with designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, and said thanks and waved her diamond ring when congratulated on her engagement.  The actress’ Lost in Translation director Sofia Coppola was not just surprised, she had no idea who Johansson’s fiancé Ryan Reynolds is. “I don’t know who he is, but that’s great news”, Coppola said.

Tom Brady posed for a few photos with girlfriend Gisele Bundchen, and then ducked inside and left her to the glare of the spotlights.   Gisele liked her Versace dress because it was “light and fresh”, and told us that her favorite superhero is Wonder Woman. 

Diane Kruger was going for a Xena the Warrior Princess look with her Ferretti dress, and told us that she and her man Josh Jackson critiqued one another’s outfits as they got ready for the ball.  “It’s good, because he says, ‘Boobs are showing, put some tape on’, stuff like that”, Kruger told us, laughing.  Do superheroes need double-sided tape to keep their costumes in line?