 |
| MOTHER OF THE BALL IN PAPAL ROBES: Pop singer/ FENTYxPUMA designer Rihanna arrives as 2018 Met Gala Co-Chair. The singer served as co-chair with AMAL CLOONEY, wife of George Clooney, and DONATELLA VERSACE, who designed many of the specialty celebrity arrival outfits for the red carpet. She is wearing a couture creation by John Galliano for the house of Maison Margiela. (Photo The MET/Twitter) |
Last Monday, May 7th saw the beginning of summer arts &culture season begin its yearly takeoff with the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual MET Gala, in New York City - an evening that takes place the first Monday of May each year. The Gala benefits the Met's Costume Institute and is a creative fusion celebrating the international world of fashion within the context of art pieces at the world famous museum. Each year, a special collection of museum objects are curated in conjunction with some of the worlds the most prized fashion designs housed in the Met's Costume Institute, and the theme of this year's gala and art exhibit is “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.” The gala is always sponsored in part by Vogue Magazine US and its parent company Condé Nast, and as per the tradition under current Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, the evening attracts not only art lovers, but features some of the most recognized faces in contemporary pop culture and the fine & performing arts world- dressed in custom designs that both illustrate and pay tribute to the influence of fine art in the world of high fashion.
As reported by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" is, "the Costume Institute's spring 2018 exhibition...featuring a dialogue between fashion and medieval art from The Met collection to examine fashion's ongoing engagement with the devotional practices and traditions of Catholicism".
 |
| REJOICE SUNDAY: Annual Met Gala attendee Tracee Ellis Ross walks the carpet in a custom-designed Michael Kors Collection gown, constructed echo to the traditional robes and liturgical color worn by Catholic priests on the 4th Sunday of Lent, the day is known as Laetere ("Rejoice") Sunday. (Photos: Twitter) |
Serving as the cornerstone of the exhibition are papal robes and accessories from the Sistine Chapel, many of which have never been seen outside of the Vatican. Additional Ecclesiastical pieces will highlight the enduring influence of religion and liturgical vestments on fashion.
 |
Met Gala Co-Chair Rihanna poses before a rare papal gown, while attired in her own tribute design created by
John Galliano for Maison Margiela. (Photo: Rihanna/Twitter) |
There are also approximately 150 fashion ensembles on display from the Met's Costume Institute's archive collection, highlighting the ongoing conversation between fashion and Catholic traditions. The exhibit features archived designs by Coco Chanel, John Galliano, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and Christian Dior, amongst others. Bringing together the intersection of faith and fashion, MMA Costume Institute Curator Andrew Bolton wanted to show fashion within “the broader context of religious artistic production” (like in paintings and architecture), and demonstrate how “material Christianity” in clothing through the ages has helped form “the Catholic imagination”.
The Met Gala has become increasingly eclectic and culturally diverse in its' celebrity guest list through the years, adding interesting nuance to the way public figures in the pop culture landscape can interpret the theme of each gala as their own form of artistic expression. With the inclusion of black and Latino artists in attendance growing more diverse each year, we definitely have our favorite looks for the evening: check out some of the most striking red carpet arrivals for the 2018 Met Gala below:
 |
WHITE, THE COLOR OF PURITY: Entertainment mogul Sean "Puffy" Combs opts for a minimalist approach
in this men's suit design from Musika Frère. (Photo: Vogue) |
 |
| Disney star Zendaya channels French Catholic saint Joan of Arc in ATELIER VERSACE. (Photo: The MET/Twitter) |
 |
| Kerry Washington opts to wear a liquid gold metallic gown by RALPH LAUREN; gold in religious art iconography signifies majesty, joy, the presence of God. (Photo: VOGUE) |
 |
| Mary J. Blige wafts into the event in a heavenly blue gown by VERSACE. |
 |
| THE HALO: In Catholic interpretation, the halo represents the divine light of grace infusing the soul. R&B Songwriter/Vocalist Solange Knowles, who is of Lousiana creole heritage and named after the Catholic saint, St. Solange, wears an avant-garde version of a halo made from braided hair and anchored by a "do-rag". In the perfect mix of high & low fashion, the singer pairs the head accessory with an edgy black strapless jumpsuit from IRIS VAN HERPEN. |
 |
| BLUSHING ANGEL: R&B singer SZA sweeps into Met Gala 2018 is a blush colored ballgown from VERSACE, and halo reminiscent of Spanish colonial art. (Photo: The MET/Twitter) |
 |
Trevor Noah, South African comedian & host of US political comedy program, "The Daily Show"
takes the stairs in a custom BALMAIN tux adorned with a crucifix. |
 |
MODERN MEETS MEDIEVAL: Singer/Actress Janelle Monae arrives in Marc Jacobs with the designer as her escort - in a medieval age inspired "coif helmet" complete with golden halo. Beyond the Catholic religion, halos in religious art signify holiness and light, and were everpresent accessories throughout the evening. (Photo: The MET/Twitter)
|
 |
FROM BRITAIN to BROADWAY: Tony, Grammy, & Emmy-winning Broadway superstar (The Color Purple)-
Britain's own English rose, Cynthia Erivo wears a "chalice" inspired gown from Valentino. (Photo: VOGUE) |
 |
| NAIL ART: Close-up view of Broadway star Cynthia Erivo's specialty manicure from Salon "OHRIGINAILS" features religious iconography and reimagined scenes from the Sistine Chapel. (photo: Instagram @ohriginails) |
 |
| WAKANDA FOREVER: Black Panther/ Avengers: Infinity Wars star Chadwick Boseman wears a priestly inspired robe and cream VERSACE suit. The style of crosses adorning his outfit is reminiscent of those in religious art and icongraphy from the middle ages. (Photo: The MET/ Twitter) |
