Met Gala 2013: Fashion From Last Year’s Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Benefit Ball [PHOTOS]

Who can forget Beyoncé’s black lace Givenchy couture gown with a train of purple feathers? Or Christina Ricci’s giant Thakoon bow? Or the myriad of mixed critiques of Kate Upton wearing Michael Kors?

As the social event of the year on fashionistas’ calendars, celebrities will ascend the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art stairs in New York City for what is unarguably fashion’s biggest night of year: the 2013 Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Benefit gala.

Known as the Oscars of the East Coast, the most fashionable Hollywood stars, socialites, athletes and everyone in between is set to attend the punk-themed Met Gala on Monday in honor of the museum’s latest exhibit, “Punk: Chaos to Couture,” opening Thursday. The glitterati slated to attend include co-chairs Rooney Mara, Givenchy Creative director Riccardo Tisci, Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and Moda Operandi co-founder Lauren Santo Domingo, as well as Jennifer Lawrence, Gwenyth Paltrow, Allison Williams and more.

The exhibition, with 100 designs from fashion archives, documents punk’s presence on the runway since the days of the Sex Pistols, Blondie and Vivienne Westwood to its ongoing influence today.

But before the red carpet chatter begins, here’s a look back at the best looks from the 2012 Met Gala. Last year’s theme was influenced by the exhibit “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations,” which shed light on designers Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada’s influence on fashion.

P.S.: You can watch a live stream of red carpet arrivals for this year's Met Gala online at home, hopefully in your own ball gown.