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NEW YORK - L.A. might have the Oscars, but Manhattan's social event of the season is the annual Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute gala, which draws bold-faced, glammed-up names from both coasts and across the pond.

This year's theme? Superheroes, a fitting one given the massive box-office hit that was Iron Man, and the upcoming flicks The Dark Knight, featuring the Caped Crusader, and The Incredible Hulk.

Designer Giorgio Armani served as this year's honorary chair, while George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Vogue editor Anna Wintour chaired the benefit extravaganza.

Armani dressed Clooney and Roberts.

"He asked me very sweetly if I'd be his date," Roberts, wearing a platinum Giorgio Armani Privé gown, said about the designer, who also outfitted other A-list celebrities, including Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Beyoncé Knowles and John Mayer.

Clooney was taking it all in stride. "I get to have a drink. It's easy for me," he said.

Dolce & Gabbana decked out Scarlett Johansson, who made news on Monday when she announced that she and actor Ryan Reynolds were engaged. Although she wasn't flaunting her engagement ring as she walked the carpet holding hands with her designer hosts, it was probably one of the most-talked-about accessories of the evening.

Jennifer Lopez wore a blue-green number with metallic and jewel trim by Alberta Ferretti. Getting ready for parties these days "is the same except with a baby on my lap," she said. As for which superhero her ensemble recalled: "The only thing I could think of was Wonder Woman with my cuffs."

Wintour wore a black and white embroidered dress by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel Haute Couture. Chanel also dressed Thandie Newton, Kate Bosworth and Audrey Tautou. Michael Kors dressed Sex and the City's Kristin Davis. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen favored Diane von Furstenberg. Dita von Teese opted for Marchesa. Liv Tyler and Eva Mendes wore Calvin Klein. Oscar winner Tilda Swinton wore Prada.

The event wasn't just a fashion show. There's an exhibit involved, "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy," which runs through Sept. 1.