Eva Mendes Makes a Grand 2012 Met Gala Entrance

Her sense of style has always been impeccable, and earlier tonight (May 7) Eva Mendes maintained her rep for killer threads at the 2012 Met Ball in New York City.

The “We Own the Night” actress was the talk of the red carpet thanks to her unique bright orange strapless gown with black and white accents and her wavy brown tresses ahead of the “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations” event.

The annual fete finds actress Carey Mulligan acting as honorary co-chair alongside designer Miuccia Prada and US Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, while Azealia Banks is lined up to perform.

As for the celebratory occasion, this year's rendition of the Met gala ushers in the 'Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations' exhibition exploring "the striking affinities between Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada, two Italian designers from different eras."

The display is described as being "inspired by Miguel Covarrubias's "Impossible Interviews" for Vanity Fair in the 1930s while featuring "orchestrated conversations between these iconic women to suggest new readings of their most innovative work."