Met Gala 2012 Most Dramatic Gowns: Beyonce In Givenchy, Florence Welch In McQueen And More [PHOTOS]

Drama, drama, drama. The gowns that stood out the most at the 2012 Met Gala at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Monday night certainly brought the most drama. From trailing trains and see-through lace to feathers and layers upon layers of tulle, the most dramatic gowns of the night proved to be the most stunning.

If there was ever a night to bring the drama it was Monday at the 2012 Met Gala, where famed female designers, Miuccia Prada and Elsa Schiaparelli were honored. The two women, from different eras, have solidified their positions in fashion history by going against the times and developing their own unique visions.

They have many things in common, but most of all they both believe in breaking rules in fashion, said Vogue's Anna Wintour on the red carpet.

Beyonce Knowles stood out as one of the best dressed at the Met Gala in a black lace Givenchy Couture gown with a purple train of feathers. The bodice of the dress was ornamented with sparkling black embroidery to cover up the 30-year-old new mother a bit. But little was left to the imagination as the sheer fabric hugged each and every curve of the diva. Beyonce proved that dramatic is nothing short of decadent. She stunned on the red carpet and the photogs (as predicted) went wild.

Both Florence Welch and Cate Blanchett opted for Alexander McQueen, though the starlets chose contrasting styles. Welch opted for McQueen's Fall 2013 3D dandelion-embroidered organza tiered dress. Although she managed to make one of the most dramatic entrances, Welch's gown had critics split. Florence Welch. Oh, honey, tweeted Tom + Lorenzo. Fashionista called her the most glamorous jellyfish. And Grazia magazine tweeted, Wow, Florence Welch is wearing a lot of chiffon. Many layers of it. Brave and bold choice.

Blanchett opted for more subtle drama with the Alexander McQueen Fall 2012 black feather gown with ostrich hem. The 42-year-old actress wowed the crowd with her creamy skin, soft makeup and whisked-back blonde locks. FabSugar tweeted that Blanchett was perfection in all-out elegance.

Christina Ricci's pink and black Thakoon dress with a gigantic bow set upon her back might have perplexed some and scared others, but we thought the actress looked absolutely perfect. It was just the right amount of bold for the Met Gala. She paired her outfit with simple, pointed black pumps and soft, dewy makeup.

Czech model Karolina Kurkova stood out as the supernova of the night in a dazzling rose gold Rachel Zoe design. The glittering floor-length gown featured a flowing hem, high neckline, long sleeves and an open back. Although the fabric could have been overwhelming, the dress fit Kurkova like a glove. To top it all off, the blonde bombshell wore a glittering turban atop her head. Yes, it reminded us of Kate Moss in Marc Jacobs at the 2009 Met Gala; only this was amped up about 1,000 watts. Bravo.

Check out the most dramatic gowns from the 2012 Met Gala in New York City.