Rihanna Hits The Red Carpet At New York's Met Gala

The Umbrella hitmaker has been keeping a low profile since her alleged bust-up with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown on the eve of the Grammy Awards in February (08Feb09).

She was due to make her pop comeback in Dubai later this month (May09), but cancelled the concert earlier on Monday citing "bad timing".

But she stunned onlookers when she made a dramatic appearance at the Big Apple's Metropolitan Museum of Art event, wearing a black puff-sleeved suit and bow tie by Dolce and Gabbana.

Rihanna joined a host of A-list stars embodying the annual party's theme of Model As Muse: Embodying Fashion, including Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Anne Hathaway, a pregnant Heidi Klum and pop superstar Madonna, who stepped out in a blue Louis Vuitton minidress, thigh-high boots and bizarre turquoise headpiece.

The big night was hosted by Vogue editor Anna Wintour alongside supermodel Kate Moss and Justin Timberlake.

Brown is facing two felony charges relating to the February assault, which reportedly left Rihanna battered and bruised.