But both Zoe Saldana and Julianne Hough opted for a classic way to stand out from the crowd - by slipping into daring plunging designs.
The result was a head-turning performance by both starlets.
How low can you go? Julianne Hough arrived to the CFDA Awards tonight in New York in a plunging red Kaufman Franco gown
Check me out: Zoe Saldana also took the plunge, slipping into a Prabal Gurung dress complete with sheer panelling and bottom half
Former Dancing With The Stars professional Hough - the other half of media mogul Ryan Seacrest - looked immaculate in a red Kaufman Franco gown.
The outfit was split almost to the navel and held together at the waist with a belt. With her hair piled atop her head, the singer and actress achieved a breathtaking looking.
Hot on her heels, Avatar star Saldana opted for a black floor-length Prabal Gurung gown which featured sheer panels at the waist and sleeves as well as a sheer skirt that trailed behind her.
Angels: Victoria's Secret models Candice Swanepoel (left) and Doutzen Kroes
Stylist to the stars: Rachel Zoe took a night off her motherly duties to attend the glitzy event and looked stunning in sequins
Both stars managed to carry of their looks thanks to their fantastic svelte figures, with their clothes hanging and tugging in all the right places.
The glamorous attendees piled into the venue to witness America's greatest new design talents receive awards in categories that ranged from Womenswear Designer Of The Year to Media Awards and the Fashion Icon Award, which belonged to actor Johnny Depp - who did not attend.
Other stars who turned out for the Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Fashion Awards at the Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall included Kate Bosworth, Jessica Chastain and Mad Men star Jessica Pare.
A-list date: Mary-Kate Olsen (left) sported a new brunette hair style and (right) her twin sister Ashley arrived at the event with actress Lauren Hutton on their arms. She was, naturally clad head-to-toe in their label The Row
Legs on show: Actress Lily Collins glittered in gold while Mad Men star Jessica Pare cut a fine figure in pink and black
Sister Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen arrived on the arm of 68-year-old actress Lauren Hutton.
Mary-Kate drew most attention with her newly brunette hair style - suddenly marking her out from her 25-year-old twin sister.
Hutton donned simple cream, opting for a suit designed by The Row, the Olsen twins' label, paired with a white t-shirt.
Star dust: Presenters included actresses Jessica Chastain (left), who wore an ultra feminine Prabal Gurung frock and (right) Dakota Fanning
Beauties: Joan Smalls, left, wore a Michael Kors gown while Busy Phillips, right, tried a plunging neckline
Dakota Fanning also made a statement in a short Asian-inspired Proenza Schouler gown paired with black booties.
Actress Jessica Chastain, who served as one of the night's presenters, arrived in an ultra feminine, shimmering knee-length Prabal Gurung design.
Daring to bare: Actress Kate Bosworth flashed some flesh in her cutaway ensemble
Pulling out all the stops: Heather Graham (left), Sophia Bush in a low-cut tangerine-coloured gown designed by David Meister (centre) and Mandy Moore (right) dressed in a Lela Rose gown, also turned heads
And of course, models dressed to impress as well.
Joan Smalls led the pack, arriving in a white mullet-style Michael Kors gown that she paired with gold accessories and a pink lip.
Joan Smalls led the pack, arriving in a white mullet-style Michael Kors gown that she paired with gold accessories and a pink lip.
Strike a pose: Models Devon Aoki (left) and Hilary Rhoda (right) do what they do best in floor-sweeping gowns
