It was fishtail and floor length for Rihanna, Katy Perry and Jesse J who marked the passing of Whitney Houston just hours earlier, with sombre yet glamorous gowns on the Grammy red carpet.
Rihanna and Alicia Keys both wore the same shoes by Christian Louboutin, and opted for sober, elegant black creations; Rhianna dressing down in and Keys in . Gwyneth Paltrow also took a low-key approach in a shoulder-baring gown.
Taylor Swift was resplendent in embellished Zuhair Murad Couture while, Katy Perry and Jesse J also sparkled and shone in and .
However the Grammy red carpet is known for being the place where the great and good of the music industry can unleash their inner fashion crazy - think Katy Perry in Giorgio Armani with angel wings, or Lady Gaga's egg costume last year, and although most of the stars toned it down for the 54th edition, there was still a touch of the outlandish.
Black Eyed Peas front woman Fergie wore a revealing orange gown with black bra and pants peeking through beneath, while rapper Nicki Minaj wore a one-off red satin Versace robe with the label's signature Medusa head embellished across the front.
For a full gallery of the night's stand out looks click here.
