Model vs. Actress: Costume Institute Gala 2009

There's been wide speculation and some discussion of late on how actresses are quickly displacing models as the choice cover, or the face of campaigns. Perhaps the cult of celebrity is to blame for the demise of the supermodel, perhaps digital imagery has negated the need for the perfect face/body.

But who actually comes up trumps in the style department?

How timely then is the theme of this year's Costume Institute Gala: "The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion". This could well be one lavish opportunity to remind everyone the importance of The Model. Zoolander style, let's take to the red carpet for the ultimate "walk-off":

Round 1 - Short & Sweet

Models Hilary Rhonda, Anja Rubik & Jessica Stam:

Similar to SJP's flower dress in the SATC movie

So on-trend

She's wearing my favourite Nicholas Kirkwoods! 'Nuff said

vs. Actresses Rachel Bilson, Molly Sims & Anne Hathaway:

Too cocktail dress for the MET

Eww...

Anne does her best impersonation of a fembot

Winner of Round 1: Models

Round 2: The Evening Gown

Models Oluchi Onweagba, Chanel Iman & Agyness Deyn:

Regal & beautiful

Hard to pull of a printed gown but Chanel Iman does it effortlessly

Valley of the Dolls goddess

vs. Actresses Marion Cotillard , Kate Bosworth, Ashley Olsen:

French perfection

She may be plugging her own label, but I adore this gown!

Veronica Lake would be proud. Plus I'm a lace whore...

Winner of Round 2: Tough but I'm going to say the Actresses
(must be all that award show practice)

Round 3: Black & White

Models Anna V & Angela Lindvall:

YES as ecstatically as Kara after an Adam Lambert on Rock night

Fabulous!

vs. Diana Kruger & Eva Longoria :

Like the dress but a tad boring in the styling department.
Josh Jackson though is arguably the only accessory needed...

She looks amazing but again a bit boring.

Winner of Round 3: Models!

Round 4: Guts & Gumption

Models Sasha Pivovarova, Karen Elson, Kate Moss:

People will say she looks like a bird but I kinda like this...

This is really excellent couple dressing!

I want a turban now! (Behold the power of Kate)

vs. Actresses Leighton Meester, Blake Lively, Rachel Weiz, Mary Kate Olsen:

(1) Was there no mirror available ?! (2) Leighton should go back to being brunette.

Wrong makeup, Wrong colour

Blake really needs to edit her choices. She's always trying too hard.

Extra points should be deducted considering how great her sis looked!

Winner: Can't you tell? MODELS!
Ladies, leave the avante garde to the professionals

Special Mention: A Mixed Bag for Musicians

Rihanna in menswear is YAY fierce.

Madonna with rabbit ears is definitely NAY.
(I considered listing her under Round 4's Actress category but that would be too much of a handicap...)

Victoria Beckham is a Maybe.
I love MJ (as you know) but on her, she looks like she's pooping fabric...