Last night’s Vogue-sponsored Costume Gala at the Met Museum wasn’t without its fair share of controversy. And, no, I’m not talking about Madonna’s thigh-high boots and bunny ears, nor am I referring to Helena Christensen’s frock fit for figure skating, which was outfitted with crystals spelling out the aforementioned magazine’s moniker. In fact the tempest in question instead had to do with the supermodels that didn’t show up at all last night -- the result of Anna Wintour snubbing a particularly revered (not to mention Michelle Obama-approved) Parisian designer.

This spring marks the invasion of the supermodel. Just as “new nostalgia” is affecting fashion trends from the red carpet to clothing racks at Topshop (not to mention TV dinner trays at Target), the recession has likewise sparked a resurgence of interest in the seasoned supe. Take one look at high-fashion advertising campaigns for SS09 and the trend is clear: “Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista for Dsquared2, Gisele Bundchen and Kate Moss for Versace, Stephanie Seymour for Valentino, Claudia Schiffer for Yves Saint Laurent, and now, Amber Valletta in a stunning campaign for Loewe,” says Fashionologie. And fashion rags are following suit.

What makes a supermodel? According to Naomi Campbell, "Models need to earn their stripes -- I just think the term [supermodels] is used a little too loosely." Campbell, who's lucky enough to have arguably earned the title, goes on to say that "Kate Moss is obviously a supermodel but after Gisele, I don't think there's been one." The original crop of supermodels includes Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Claudia Schiffer, and of course, Campbell, who dismisses the new crop of popular models like Agyness Deyn and Hilary Rhoda as unworthy of the supermodel tiara. Easy for her to say, all perched high on her glass stilettos and hurling objects at servants.