First among First Ladies

Ahead of the opening, a host of supermodels, superstars and fashion designers have been flocking to pay tribute to a woman who to many epitomised the "brave new era" of America in the early 1960s.

Above all she was known for her elegance, and bewitched a nation totally unused to such a youthful, vibrant presence in the White House.

But in addition to dozens of outfits she wore during John F Kennedy's 1960 campaign, the exhibition features some of her less well known memos, sketches and speeches.

'The best of the best'

"Jackie O was the best of the best," said comedienne Joan Rivers, who attended a fundraising gala at the Museum on Monday.

Renee Zellweger: "Classy"

"I think it's a great tribute to her, and shows how multi-faceted she was," said Maria Shriver, the former president's niece.

Supermodel Elle MacPherson, dressed in a long, black evening gown, said Jackie Kennedy "had so much elegance and style".

Bridget Jones actress Renee Zellweger called her style "classy".

However, Caroline Kennedy wants visitors to remember her mother for far more than her wardrobe.

She told reporters: "I know that visitors will enjoy looking at her dresses, riding clothes, hats and jewellery, but these are just the starting point.

"She believed in my father and his vision for America, and in the art of politics. Together, my parents sought a more just society and a better world."

Star-studded line-up

Besides members of the Kennedy clan, the bash was packed with some of the world's top designers, including Jean-Paul Gaultier, Tom Ford, Giorgio Armani and Oleg Cassini - who designed many of the gowns on display.

Many of her dresses were the work of designer Oleg Cassini

Also on the guest list were actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Andie MacDowell and Sigourney Weaver; models Claudia Schiffer and Gisele Bundchen; singers Carly Simon and Faith Hill and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Jackie Kennedy settled in New York after her husband's assassination, and later married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis.

She died of cancer in 1994.