Beyonce, Rihanna + More Glow at Met Costume Institute Gala

It's not every day that the hip-hop and R&B community throw on their Sunday best and hit the town, but Monday night (May 2) in New York City a slew of them did to attend the Costume Institute's "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

From Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz to Beyonce and Jay-Z, couples graced the red carpet to show off their designer attire. But the likes of Rihanna, Solange, Ciara, Keri Hilson and Pharrell Williams, all without arm candy, made a grand entrance all on their own.

Jigga walked the Met steps in a white tuxedo jacket with black bottoms while wife Beyonce showed off a black Emilio Pucci gown embellished with intricate gold designs and fishtail bottom. Ever the gentleman, Jay-Z helped his wife up the stairs when her dress gave a little resistance. Rihanna, who never shies away from wearing avant-garde couture, toned it down a bit in a black Stella McCartney form-fitting floral number with a long train. She also opted to wear a Rapunzel-like red braid rather than the curly coif she's been seen sporting as of late. Kanye West showed off a Tory Burch tuxedo -- a new piece from the designer's menswear line. Jennifer Hudson was in a glamorous grey Vera Wang wonder while Alicia Keys stepped out in a chocolate Givenchy gown with a snakeskin-looking leather jacket covering her shoulders. Her husband, Swizz Beatz, opted for a classic black tux with matching bowtie.

Singers like Ciara looked ravishing in a Prabal Gurung gown, which hugged her torso in pale blue and transformed into white towards its bottom. Mary J. Blige and Jennifer Lopez both wore Gucci, the latter strutting her stuff in a fuschia colored frock with floral accents on her shoulders and red lips for an added pop of color. Tourmates Janelle Monáe and Bruno Mars complimented one another in black and white, the former rocking a top hat. Cassie kept it funky in a tight black dress accented with a plunging bright blue neckline. Solange chose to walk into the star-studded event wearing a green, black, white, and gray printed floor-length dress -- decorated with geometric patterns -- from the Dries Van Noten Fall 2011 collection. Pharrell dressed up in a black-and-white suit and Keri Hilson flaunted her slim physique in a grey number, which flowed out in ruffles.

The event, which featured a performance from Florence + the Machine, was dedicated to the late designer Alexander McQueen, who passed away on February 11, 2010, after committing suicide by hanging himself in his London home.

Check out full coverage -- including the best and worst dressed -- of the 2011 Met Gala at Huff Post Style.