The 2018 Met Gala’s theme “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” left plenty of room for creative interpretations of a religious topic that would undoubtedly veer into dangerously sacrilegious territory. And it didn’t disappoint.
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Rihanna, who co-hosted the event along with Donatella Versace, Amal Clooney, and Vogue editor-in-chief and Conde Nast creative director Anna Wintour, was widely regarded as the star of last night’s over-the-top red carpet in a heavily beaded Maison Margiela creation complete with a bejewelled papal mitre.
Perhaps the fact that few (if any) expressed any concern over the pop star’s appropriation of a religious garment is indication of how accepting the public is of her sartorial risks, and in fact, how forgiving they are of the Met Gala’s often controversial themes.
Despite the fact that a number of celebrities have said they prefer to skip out on the gala — Tina Fey, Amy Schumer, Demi Lovato, Gwyneth Paltrow — calling the affair “very tedious,” “fake” and “a jerk parade,” this year’s red carpet was as star-studded as ever.
In addition, for perhaps the first time in a number of years, celebrities seemed to run enthusiastically with the theme, making for a red carpet practically aglow with gilded gowns, religious iconography and, in the case of Katy Perry, grandiose wings to rival the angel Gabriel himself.
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Here are the most fanciful, pietistic and bordering on blasphemous looks from last night’s 2018 Met Gala.
Kim Kardashian in Versace
Evan Rachel Wood in Altuzarra
Sienna Miller in Louis Vuitton
Chadwick Boseman in Versace
Priyanka Chopra in Ralph Lauren
Amanda Seyfried in Prada
Donatella Versace in her own design
Amal Clooney in Richard Quinn
Rihanna in Maison Margiela
Katy Perry in Versace
Zendaya in Versace
Cardi B in Moschino
Madonna in Jean Paul Gaultier
Sarah Jessica Parker in Dolce & Gabbana
Jennifer Lopez in Balmain
Lana del Rey and Jared Leto both in Gucci
All photos courtesy of Getty Images