Heavenly Bodies: Best of the Met Gala 2018
Whilst fashion may never make much of an impact on some people’s lives, the Met Gala, taking place every year on the first Monday in May, has a habit of seeping into people’s living rooms. Billed as THE fashion event of the year, it gives commentators, both the public and the media alike, a chance to dissect, praise and criticise all that is weird and wonderful about fashion and the elite crowd that attends (tickets at the gala cost $30,000 per person, or $275,000 for a table if you’re feeling flush).
Sometimes it dazzles, Blake Lively has looked particularly chic on a number of occasions. Whilst at other times it has simply confused us – no one can easily forget Kim Kardashian’s floral ensemble for a punk themed Met Gala.
The theme is based on the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute exhibition and the gala acts as a fundraiser for the Institute. Occasionally, the gala causes high levels of controversy, usually once the celebs have walked up the red carpet, rather than before they’ve even got dressed. Except, this year’s theme, surrounding The Metropolitan’s exhibition ‘Heavenly Bodies, Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,’ has had people in discussion far before the event has taken place. Following on from Monday’s gala, A-listers have been criticised for religious appropriation, with critics stating ‘my religion is not your costume’. However, the Vatican has not only given permission for the theme, it has also provided clothes and other items for the accompanying exhibition.
The designer garments featured in the exhibition, including Balenciaga, Versace and Dior, many of which have a history of a close relationship with religion, have been curated separately to the papal items. Previous themes, including ‘China: Through the Looking Glass’, were criticised at the time of the event, but the accompanying exhibitions have often been praised for their level of respect. Let’s hope the same will be said of this.
Our Best Dressed
[Images courtesy of Vogue]
Rihanna in custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano
This is an obvious choice and a controversial one (the headdress is certainly reminiscent of something the Pope would wear, but surely not the leg on show!) but every year she makes this event exciting, even if you think she looks crazy!
Frances McDormand in Valentino Haute Couture
‘It’s not flattering to the figure, she hasn’t got make-up on, the colour is...blah blah blah’. She looks amazing and so very FASHION.
Ariana Grande in Vera Wang
She is channelling the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Enough said.
Kerry Washington in Ralph Lauren
She just glows
Greta Gerwig in The Row
Haven’t a clue but she screams the theme to me
Amal Clooney in Richard Quinn
Since Dior expertly showcased dresses over trousers for their Fall 2012 Couture show, I have loved this look.
Kate Moss Saint Laurent in Anthony Vaccarello
It should be dull, but that sultry look and those feathered wings make it.
Kate Bosworth in Oscar de La Renta
Ethereal with a hint of Miss Havisham
Chadwick Boseman in Versace
Good to see a male attendee putting in more effort than the usual black tie
Blake Lively in Versace
Allegedly her dress took over 600 hours to complete!
About Our Author: Katie Calvert's background is in fashion and textiles with a first class honours degree in Fashion Communication and Promotion and experience in trend, PR and events. She decided to take the plunge back into education in 2015 to complete a Master of Arts in Multimedia Journalism. Using these newfound skills and her love of fashion and culture, Katie has been freelance writing for over a year.
