Kenenter: Costume Institute Gala: Katy Perry lights up star-studded Met ball in LED gown

Costume Institute Gala: Katy Perry lights up star-studded Met ball in LED gown

5/05/2010 12:35:00 AM

At first glance, Katy Perry's gown was relatively demure for the famously kooky dresser. Floor-length, pale pink and white, it seemed she had decided to play it safe.

But then the lights went down - and Katy began to glow in her fantastic colour-changing dress.

Concealed rows of fairy lights gave the CuteCircuit design a fluorescent aura at the star-studded event, which attracts the toast of New York society.

It was the best possible advert for CuteCircuit, a fashion company based in London that designs wearable technology.

As Katy walked down the red carpet all eyes were on the glowing singer, who accessorised with Christian Louboutin shoes and Lorraine Schwartz jewels.

She was attending the Costume Institute Gala Benefit to celebrate the opening of the American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

CuteCircuit are no strangers to hi-tech fashion. In 2006 their Hug Shirt was named one of the Best Inventions of the Year by Time Magazine.

Katy's dress is a more wearable version of the design duo Francesca Rosella and Ryan Genz's stunning Galaxy dress - a hi-tech gown embroidered with 24,000 tiny LED bulbs now on display in an American museum.

Francesca is an architect and graphic designer, while artist and anthropologist Ryan has worked as art director for Signal Interactive and ASAP Media Services in the U.S. States.

In 2006 their Hug Shirt was named one of the Best Inventions of the Year by Time Magazine.

Katy said: 'I feel like I really have to represent those girls that just go for it and do their own thing and, you know, have their own bit of spontaneity and self confidence,' she said.

'I think sometimes in fashion it can get a little stuffy so I wanted to lighten up!'

And she told Us magazine she controlled the lights with a switch inside her bra.

'I love it, it's so much fun,' she said. 'I have this thing in my bra.

I don't know if that's a good place for it or not.'

The 25-year-old left fiancé Russell Brand at home for the evening, instead arriving on the arm of a designer friend.

TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour co-chaired the annual bash, along with Gap creative director Patrick Robinson.

They were joined by a host of stars at the event, including British actress Emma Watson, now a student at nearby Brown university on Rhode Island.

'I'm pretty lucky I get the best of both worlds and that's why I'm so blessed,' she said.

Lady Gaga was the star performer at the event which attracted a who's who of film, fashion and showbiz

The 20-year-old showed off a mature style in a white floor length gown designed by Burberry, slashed to reveal her leg.

As the face of the label her one shoulder white silk gown was custom made, along with her clutch bag and shoes.

But Emma could have done with some tips from posing from Kate Hudson, 31, who wore a similar gown.

The actress made sure photographers got a good shot of her legs in their Casadei shoes, by angling one outside her Stella McCartney dress.

Kate accessorised with a Roger Vivier clutch and Fred Leighton jewels.

Also wearing Stella was Kate's friend Liv Tyler, who like last year joined her for photos on the red carpet. Lord Of The Ring star Liv wore Roger Viver shoes.

Jennifer Lopez looked every inch the bridal Barbie in her jewel encrusted floor-length tulle gown by Zuhair Murad, accessorised with Stephen Russell jewels and Judith Leiber clutch.

The 40-year-old mother of twins showed off her slim figure, after getting in shape ahead of her comeback film The Back Up Plan.

In an equally over-the-top fantasy gown was Anne Hathaway, 27, who showed just why she's Disney's favourite actress in a Valentino dress, Bulgari jewels and Ferragamo bag.

Sex And The City actress Kristin Davis went for all-out Hollywood glamour in a black strapless gown, complete with train.

The 45-year-old recently revealed she feels she has escaped the ageism which cripples many actresses careers, attributing her continued popularity to her work on the SATC films.

Also wearing a train was actress Eva Longoria Parker, 35, in a silver embroidered crepe gown by Marchesa and a matching clutch from the designer.

Model Bar Refaeli, 24, the girlfriend of Leonardo DiCaprio, showed off her long legs in a short black and cream custom made mini dress by Rag & Bone.

Her fellow guests included love rival Gisele Bunchen, the model who dated Leonardo before her.

Gisele arrived with husband Tom Brady, with whom she has a five-month-old son, Benjamin.

She wore a black woven leather Alexander Wang dress with tassels.

The colour of the night was this season's blush, as modelled by singer Gwen Stafni in her own L.A.M.B. design, actress Jessica Alba in a Sophie Theallet for GAP dress and Sarah Jessica Parker in Halston.

One couple making a statement on the red carpet were Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake.

The two had been rumoured to have ended their relationship, but made a show of looking happy as they appeared arm in arm, wearing matching Ralph Lauren.

Jessica, 28, wore a flattering antique ivory silk charmeuse gown.

Renée Zellweger looked thinner than ever in a strapless black and gold dress by Carolina Herrera, which she teamed with a bleached blonde crop.

Actress Marion Cotillard, 34, wore a glittering sheath dress covered in sequins, by Christian Dior.

Blue was also a popular choice, with Gossip Girl Blake Lively choosing Marchesa, Christina Hendricks choosing L'Wren Scott and Emmy Rossum in a Kenneth Cole dress accessorised with a House of Lavande collar necklace with semi-precious stones.