Braless Adriana Lima flashes her assets in risqué sheer gown as she leads monochrome-clad supermodels Heidi Klum, Alessandra Ambrosio and Barbara Palvin at glitzy amfAR New York Gala

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It's the unofficial kickoff to New York Fashion week, known to draw the hottest stars in Hollywood - featuring faces from the acting, fashion and music world alike.

And as ever the dazzling celebrities pulled out all the stops for the amfAR New York Gala on Wednesday night as the stars convened to help raise funds for the one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, with a bevy of superstars leading the masses to throw their support behind the cause.

Leading the beauties was Adriana Lima, 35, went braless from beneath a sheer keyhole - making for a risque look - while she was joined by fellow supermodels Heidi Klum, Alessandra Ambrosio and Barbara Palvin.

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March of the models: Leading the beauties was Adriana Lima, 35, went braless from beneath a sheer keyhole - making for a risque look - while she was joined by fellow supermodels Heidi Klum, Alessandra Ambrosio and Barbara Palvin (left-right)

Adriana was joined by a legion of supermodels as she strutted her stuff along the red carpet to pull her very expert poses in her sizzling gown, which left very little to the imagination due to its sheer material. 

In a bid to steal the spotlight, she opted against wearing a bra from beneath the keyhole gown which featured a gaping hole at the front falling from a poloneck and long billowing bell sleeves. 

Her sheer skirt featured a dramatic train, a red carpet essential at such a dazzling bash, while the sheer material flashed her high-waisted knickers from beneath - meaning her endless legs were on display while also being boosted by her staggering, peep-toe heels. 

In-keeping with her gothic ensemble, she wore her raven tresses in sleek lengths cascading over her shoulders while her make-up was dramatic as her almond shaped eyes were emphasised with a smudge of eyeliner while rounding out the look was a slick of bold vampish lipstick.  

Long train! The gorgeous Victoria Secret model's lacy number had long sleeves and a gorgeous cape that extended far beyond the end of the dress

A new pal: Lima and Candice Huffine looked as if they had coordinated their outfits

Suited up: Scarlett Johansson wore a black and white tuxedo with a white clutch and black heels

With two men: The Lucy star was flanked by Kevin Robert Frost and Kenneth Cole

Scarlett Johansson wore a black and white tuxedo with a white clutch and black heels.

The Lucy star was flanked by Kevin Robert Frost and Kenneth Cole.

Victoria Justice looked like a stunner in her black gown with pink flowers all over it.

The dramatic dress had a long train that could not have been easy to walk in.

In full bloom: Victoria Justice looked like a stunner in her black gown with pink flowers all over it

Diamonds are forever: The Victorious star had on a diamond necklace that was no doubt from sponsor Harry Winston

Don't trip! The dramatic dress had a long train that could not have been easy to walk in

And she wore her long locks down and wavy. 

Paris Hilton, 35, chose a long gold gold for her appearance at the event. 

Iman, 61, who lost her husband David Bowie last year, looked a fraction of her actual age in a gorgeous silky red gown.

She looks like an Oscar statuette: Paris Hilton, 35, chose a long gold gold for her appearance at the event

The subtle crisscross pattern hugged her curves in all the right places and showed off her outstanding figure. 

The model's wore her shoulder-length chestnut brown hair wavy around her face and picked a lipstick that fully matched the dress.

She took time to pose with designers Kenneth Cole and Zac Posen who both looked chic in their black-tie attire for the ultra-exclusive event. 

Nice heels! Zoe Kravitz had on lovely silver shoes with a snake theme that went well with her white gown

She looks like Belle! Justin Bieber's discovery Madison Beer was elegant in their beige wonder

She's ageless! 61-year-old Iman, who lost her husband David Bowie last year, looked a fraction of her age in a gorgeous silky red gown

The gorgeous model took time to pose with designers Kenneth Cole and Zac Posen who both looked chic in their black-tie attire for the ultra-exclusive event

Diane Kruger opted for an edgy style with her color blocking mini sequenced dress. 

The German film star, who recently cut her hair short, wore it in a deep side part with most of it glamorously swept to one side of her stunning face. 

She opted for dark, smoky eyes to pump up the drama of her ensemble and left her lips neutral.  

Thrice as nice: (L to R) Hilary Rhoda wore black, Chloe Sevigny stood out in red, and Zuri Tibby pulled off a sheer number

Edgy fashion: Diane Kruger opted for an edgy style with her color blocking mini sequenced dress

Amber Valleta, 42, showed up for the event in a similar hue, combining a beautiful lilac with gold and black.

The fabric swirled around her chest, sculpted beautifully and wrapped around her shoulder and torso to create a silky, side-swept train. 

The 16-time American Vogue cover model topped off the look with dainty, dangling earrings, a pill-box purse and a simple open-toed, ankle strap heel. 

South African-Canadian model and dietician Maye Musk, 68, who is also the mother of Elon Musk, showed up in a yellow frock with a leopard print coat over her shoulders, accessorized with bright gold earrings and purse to match.

Pretty in purple: Amber Valleta, 42, showed up for the event in a similar hue, combining a beautiful lilac with gold and black

Stunning swirl: The fabric swirled around her chest, sculpted beautifully and wrapped around her shoulder and torso to create a silky, side-swept train

Golden girl: South African-Canadian model and dietician Maye Musk, 68, who is also the mother of Elon Musk, showed up in a yellow frock with a leopard print coat over her shoulders, accessorized with bright gold earrings and purse to match

Heidi Klum looked her usual perfect self with her blonde hair in loose waves parted down the center.

Her legs were front and center in the dramatic black dress with a thigh-high slit. 

The colorful embroidered detailing on the front of the dress added an element of drama that otherwise would have made it a simple black gown.

Stunning! Heidi Klum looked her usual perfect self with her blonde hair in loose waves parted down the center

The colorful embroidered detailing on the front of the dress added an element of drama that otherwise would have made it a simple black gown

Earlier in the evening, Heidi posted a behind the scenes look as she prepared for the black-tie evening

Smokey! The Project Runway host showed her smokey eyes as her makeup artist did her magic on the already beautiful model

She's multitasking: Heidi proved she's an expert multi-tasker as she took a phone call while getting her makeup done

Earlier in the evening, Heidi posted a behind the scenes look as she prepared for the black-tie evening.

The Project Runway host showed her smokey eyes as her makeup artist did her magic on the already beautiful model. 

Heidi appeared to be multi-tasking as she got her makeup done by trying to take a phone call, while at the same time taking the selfies with her opposite hand.

Back in black: Heidi and Adriana compared their black outfits

Theme: Models Rachel Hilbert and Zuri Tibby were another two who caught the black memo

Love me like you do: Winnie Harlow linked up with Ellie Goulding

Working: Ellie was the special guest performer for the event

I need your love: She looked fab in a black leather skirt and white blouse

Soap box: Scarlett, Kenneth and Iman all took to the podium to speak during the night

The amfAR New York gala honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to HIV/AIDS awareness.

The event has taken place since 1998 and has become on of NYC's biggest events for AIDs research in the world. 

Hosted by Girl's star Lena Dunham, this year's event will honor Scarlett Johansson and Donatella Versace for their contributions. 

Ellie Goulding will be the special guest performer for the event.  

Two's company: Heidi got snubbed as Naomi and Donatella took a selfie

Fashion's finest: The trio were joined at their table by Alessandra Ambrosio and Zoe Kravitz

Blue steel: Ricky Saiz and Chloe Sevigny nabbed seats next to each other

Guest of honor: Donatella Versace was one of the honorees on the night