The Umbrella songstress has been applauded by fans for her statement look — a pearl and crystal embellished Maison Margiela Artisanal gown by John Galliano.

Other A-lister guests who have arrived at the iconic event include George and Amal Clooney, Rita Ora, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lopez and Madonna.

Australia’s Oscar-winning costume designer Catherine Martin and her director husband Baz Luhrman were spotted on the red carpet, as were Aussie stars Hugh Jackman and his wife Deborra-lee Furness, Ruby Rose (Orange is the New Black) and Katherine Langford (13 Reasons Why). Meanwhile, Naomi Watts looked like royalty in gold embroidered gown and cape by Michael Kors. The gown alone took more than 7000 man hours to embroider, according to Vogue Australia .

Miley Cyrus appeared to leave her Aussie beau Liam Hemsworth behind as she posed for photos wearing a plunging-backless black gown.

The Met Gala is the biggest event on the fashion fundraising calendar, and is renowned for attracting the world’s biggest stars. The Anna Wintour-hosted ball is an opulent celebration of style, and this year’s benefit is no exception.

Held at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Gala was founded in 1948 by publicist Eleanor Lambert and has since evolved into a night attended by some of the biggest names in fashion and show business.

Each year, the Gala is themed based on the new exhibition at the Met’s Costume Institute. This year’s theme, Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, has been met with controversy but the curator of the Costume Institute Andrew Bolton said “dress is fundamental to any discussion about religion”.

According to the New York Post, the exhibition will feature “Catholic-inspired couture alongside actual religious garb from the Vatican and Sistine Chapel Sacristy”.

This is said to include a papal tiara set with 18,000 diamonds that will be flown to New York accompanied by its own bodyguard.

Met Gala dresses are known for being outlandish and unique creations by renowned designers, with the red carpet being one of the most watched events of the year.

Rihanna, Amal Clooney and Donatella Versace have been selected by Vogue’s Editor in Chief Anna Wintour to help chair this year’s event. Wintour is also the one who decides who will be invited to the US$25,000 (A$33,200) per head fundraiser. She has been hosting the Gala since 1995, but this may be her last year if rumours about her leaving Vogue prove to be true.

See the incredible dresses below.