The Met Gala is an annual fundraiser event benefiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Not only is it the highest fashion event to take part in, you basically have to be someone of importance to even attend, meaning it’s invitation only. The gala is the pre-showing of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibition, and this year the theme was “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” opening May 10, 2018. Catholicism and religion in general is a big part of the fashion industry and influences many clothing styles in society today.
Attendees expressed what they thought the theme meant in many different ways, like Solange Knowles sporting a golden halo accessory with her own twist of adding a durag. Knowles posted a picture on Instagram of her cape of the durag reading “My God wear a durag.” Katy Perry went all out wearing all gold Versace and a 6 ft.white feathered wingspan, making her a breathtaking representation of the archangel Gabriel.
Many celebrities took the theme literally wearing many Catholicism colors such as red, white, silver, black and gold. The theme also brought out many cross necklaces, cloaks, mitres, halos and rosaries. For Ariana Grande’s first Met Gala she didn’t disappoint, wearing a detailed Vera Wang ball gown inspired by Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgement,” a painting inside the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. And the thematic Met Gala ensemble would defiantly go to Sarah Jessica Parker, always devoted the theme she is one to always look for on the red carpet. SJP wore head-to-toe Dolce & Gabbana and never disappointing literally wore the Nativity scene as a headpiece on top.
This event is the most exhausting and hectic time for designers going from celebrity to celebrity to make the perfect outfit for their clients. Clients often know what they want and have to get their orders in months in advance to give the designer time to create a perfect silhouette for them. Among the designers that celebrities wore on the carpet were Chanel, Prada, Versace, Moschino, Tommy Hilfiger etc. The Met Gala has often been known for many first time couples. Wearing Tommy Hilfiger, Shawn Mendes and Hailey Baldwin made their couple debut on the red carpet at the 22018 Met Gala looking happier than ever.
The co-hosts this year included: Amal Clooney, Donatella Versace, Anna Wintour and Rihanna dressed to theme and stunning on the red carpet, but the most memorable ensemble of the night would have to go to no other than Rihanna. She seemed to channel the pope, wearing a pearl and jewel-encrusted mitre and robe designed by Margiela. Rihanna has always been a Met Gala show-stopper and considering Anna Wintour tapped her as one of the celebrity hosts this year, her look was bound to success. Because the Met Gala is such an honor to attend celebrities often never disappoint on the red carpet. I’m excited to hear next year’s theme and to see what celebrities come up with for costumes once again; until next year.
