Not only were there a host of famous faces due to attend, but the event was happening smack bang in the middle of awards season, so the pressure was on to stand out.
And there were certainly a lot of Hollywood starlets competing for attention at The Art of Elysium’s 6th Annual Heaven Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday night, with Mena Suvari, Camilla Belle and Ashley Madekwe leading the way.
It appears the trio had the same idea when it came to how to steal the spotlight, with all three actresses opting for stunning floor-sweeping gowns, complete with lengthy trains, as they posed up for photographers at the event.
My train’s longer than yours! Mena Suvari led the way for stars in floor-sweeping gowns at The Art of Elysium’s 6th Annual Heaven Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday night
Strong competition: Stacey Keibler and Camilla Belle also went for stunning gowns, complete with trains, for the event
American Beauty star Mena opted for a black strapless design by former Project Runway alum Christian Siriano, showcasing her stunning figure in the outfit, which featured sheer fabric to give a hint of skin beneath.
But going for a more obvious look, with incredible results, was Revenge star Ashley, who wowed in a jaw-dropping gold beaded outfit, with a large cut-out on the back.
Going for gold: Revenge star Ashley Madekwe wowed in her backless gold beaded dress for the occasion
Red alert: Rising star Dakota Johnson, daughter of Django Unchained star Don, looked incredible in her bright red gown
Standing out: The Mentalist actress Alicia Witt was another famous face to opt for a dress with a train
Ashley teamed the dress with matching metallic earrings and a clutch bag, wearing her hair up in a chic chignon.
Breakaway star Camilla went for an off-the-shoulder floral dress, while statuesque Stacey Keibler looked like an Academy Award in a strapless satin number, again with a train.
Other stars to go for the full-on train look included Django Unchained star Don Johnson’s actress daughter Dakota.
Checking it out: Kirsten Dunst looked stunning in a brown and white checked Louis Vuitton dress
Check mate: Kirsten Dunst cut a striking sight in her brown and cream checked dress
Brave choice: Trendsetter Rachel Bilson also opted for a fashion-forward outfit in her pink and black leopard-print gown
The 22-year-old appeared to have won the competition when it came to her train length, and looked stunning in her bright red gown, which was cut low on the sides to give a hint of cleavage.
But not all of the stars at the event opted for such traditional dresses, with Kirsten Dunst leading the way for those pushing the boat out when it came to her fashion choice, in a Louis Vuitton checkboard style brown and cream gown with matching brown shoes.
But she appeared to be without her boyfriend and On The Road co-star Garrett Hedlund as she joined a slew of stars at the event, held at 2nd Street Tunnel in Los Angeles.
Ethereal beauties: Ali Larter and Julianne Hough both opted for pale palettes in their dresses for the event
Quiff-tastic: Amber Heard finished off her ensemble by wearing her brunette hair swept up in to a backcombed ‘do
Julianne Hough also opted for a pale palette, sporting a pretty beaded Jenny Packham floral gown with sheer sleeve detail.
She joined celebrities helping support the cause to continue the expansion of the organisation’s mission to make art a catalyst for social change, and bring creativity into the lives of tens of thousands of hospitalised children.
Purple princess: Kelly Osbourne sported an unusual top knot hairdo and a flared purple patterned dress
A dream a green: Krysten Ritter looked stunning in a floaty pale green gown with blue flowers and a chic updo
Green goddess: Anna Kendrick also opted for a green outfit, in a cute green satin minidress
Kelly Osbourne cut a striking sight with a purple top knot hairstyle which perfectly complemented her flared purple and black strapless dress.
Meanwhile, Amber Heard cut an unusually frumpier sight than usual in a flowing black and cream long sleeved gown, with her dark brown hair pulled into a top knot.
The lack of awards recognition didn’t appear to bother young stars Camilla Belle, Anna Kendrick and Rachel Bilson who sported an array of different looks.
Red alert! Model Jaime King looked stunning in a long sleeved clingy red gown
Mother to be: Cougar Town star Busy Phillips showed off her burgeoning baby bump in a intricate beaded black sleeveless gown
Anna, who recently starred in comedy film Pitch Perfect, played it fairly safe in a pretty satin knee-length number, while Hart of Dixie star Rachel wore a bright pink leopardskin Valentino floor length gown.
Camilla looked stunning in a floaty strapless patterned dress, while Kristen Ritter’s choice of pale green Alberta Ferretti with blue flowers was also a standout.
Red was a favourite choice for the blonde stars, with Jaime King sporting a long sleeved clinging scarlet number and rising star Dakota Johnson showed off her slim figure in a sleeveless, part backless Romona Keveza gown.
Mellow yellow: Eva Amurri Martino looked bright and beautiful in an unusual yellow and grey ensemble, while Alicia Vikander sported a Grecian style Chanel dress
Couples together: Model Chrissy Teigen and singer John Legend made for an attractive pairing, while Kat Von D and deadmau5 add an edgy look to the occasion
Pregnant Cougar Town actress Busy Phillips showed off her burgeoning baby bump in a black beaded dress and open toed shoes.
The 33-year-old actress announced she is expecting her second baby in October last year and certainly looked swell at tonight’s bash.
Adding an edginess to proceedings, Kat Von D and her beau DJ Deadmau5 arrived looking suitably eclectic, while John Legend and his fiancée Chrissy Teigen cut a more sophisticated look.
Back to black: Patricia Arquette, Analeigh Tipton and Jessica Szohr all stuck to wintry black ensembles for the bash
Lending support: Elijah Wood looked dapper in a dark suit while True Blood star was a smart addition to the evening
Black was a favoured colour with many of the stars, with Patricia Arquette, Mena Suvari and Jessica Szohr all sporting very different ensembles.
But the night didn’t just belong to the ladies.
Hangover star Justin Bartha, True Blood’s Joe Manganiello, Elijah Wood and Spider-Man 3 actor Topher Grace looked suitably dapper in dark suits and ties.
Suited and booted: Justin Barta, Thomas Sadoski and Topher Grace all looked smart for the party and Topher Grace all looked smart for the party
Contrasting styles: The Sopranos actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Entourage star Perrey Reeves and Ashley Hinshaw looked stunning in a variety of different looks
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