Kate Bosworth, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus wow at pre-awards season galas

L.A.’s social scene has been particularly buzzy this year, with museum galas sponsored by Gucci and Bottega Veneta, dinners welcoming a host of visiting designers, from Thakoon to Anthony Vaccarello, and store openings galore.

Why so much stylish schmoozing? It seems every brand is out to make an impression in Hollywood before the start of awards show dressing season in January.

Of course, with great parties come great party dresses.

The most risqué fashion moment came courtesy of Rihanna and Miley Cyrus, (barely) dressed in Tom Ford, at the amfAR Inspiration Gala honoring the designer. January Jones looked festive in a metallic Bottega Veneta dress at the Hammer Museum’s Gala in the Garden, but Kate Bosworth stole the fashion show that night in a sexy, backless white dress by Alexandre Vauthier.

At the LACMA Art + Film Gala, Kate Hudson worked some old-school Hollywood glam in a soft rose chiffon and twisted tulle Gucci Premiere gown, and Kim Kardashian chose a relatively tame (for her) teal blue satin, asymmetrical gown with a high leg slit by up-and-coming label Cushnie Et Ochs. China Chow was a real confection in a Hershey wrapper dress, by L.A.-based designer Jeremy Scott for Moschino, that played to the event’s theme of celebrating pop and art.

And for Irene Neuwirth’s store-opening party, the jewelry designer showed that short dresses can also be superstylish. Neuwirth, in Peter Pilotto, and pal Elizabeth Banks, in Thakoon, proved that in any season, color and print will always spread cheer.