Religion is intrinsic within our culture, it’s has an undeniable influence and longevity, even in our secular society. This year Met Gala in New York theme is ‘ Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination’ – it’s set to be a theatrical time for fashion and art alike and showed that Christianity and its imagery can still cause jaws to drop.
The gala is a fundraising and showcase event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, which will host an exhibition on fashion and the Catholic imagination from May 10. But the event is also a big deal among the world’s fashionistas, which means that it has made religion truly de rigeur.
The red carpet certainly glittered, but a closer look reveals the religious significance behind some of the best looks of the night. –
Stars referenced specific religious figures, from saints to the Pope – and no one’s going to forget Rihanna’s outfit anytime soon. Lily Collins and Lana Del Rey both paid homage to Our Lady of Sorrows, though focusing on different aspects of the manifestation of the Virgin Mary. Collins chose an understated reference using jewelled tears while Lana Del Rey opted to represent the full iconographic horror of the heart pierced with the seven swords.
Some felt let down by Kim Kardashian West’s gold metallic gown, which featured only small crucifix details. However, as one Twitter user observed, extravagant use of gold is also part of Christian ritual iconography. Kardashian West’s costume choice, then, might hark back to her internet-breaking magazine cover, which also associated her body with a cup overflowing with wine.
From glittering metal crowns to Janelle Monae’s nimbus-shaped hat, halos were used by celebs to indicate their divine status, reflecting centuries of iconography and legend. Known in the New Testament from Jesus’s shining transfiguration and elaborated on by centuries of the glittering round halo that surrounds images of the Virgin Mary, the glowing halo is the symbol of divinity. But while spectacular halos abounded, one headpiece stood out from the crowd.
Solange Knowles paired her braided golden halo with a black du-rag, pushing back against the notion that heaven is white and reminding onlookers that contemporary African American sartorial culture is also heavenly. In an interview on the red carpet, Solange stated that she was directly influenced by the Black Madonna and African saints.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the theme, Christian iconography was everywhere at the gala. But there were a few exceptions. Selena Gomez stated in an interview that she wanted to embody Queen Esther, a pre-Christian biblical figure who saves the Jewish population and whose bravery is commemorated in the Jewish festival of Purim.
Gomez’s handbag was also embroidered with the words from Proverbs 31:30: “A woman who fears the Lord is a woman who shall be praised.” Queen Esther isn’t prominent in Christian theology but Christian use of Jewish figures is nothing new, and Gomez, a Christian, speaks about celebrating strong women in an interview with Vogue.
The original Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter, meanwhile, wowed spectators with her dazzling crown, which included the Hebrew phrase “l’olam al tishkachi” (never forget), and her Star of David hair pin.
Pope Rihanna
Rather than trying to convert people through fashion, the church should take a leaf out of Rihanna’s book and shift some of its approaches. While a Pope Rihanna might seem laughable or heretical, the church has been resisting increasing pressure to ordain women as priests. The Met Gala shows that religion is being killed by outdated ideology rather than a lack of interest in it. Rather than just over-the-top fashion statements, the outfits worn by Solange, Rihanna and others represent a challenge to the white patriarchal status quo.
Deepika and PeeCee
Our global Star Priyanka Chopra doesn’t shy away from experimenting when it comes to costumes and themes, she goes all out, unafraid to experiment. Remember her Ralph Lauren exaggerated trench coat look from last year’s Met Gala? It then comes as no surprise that her outfit for the “Met Gala 2018, Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”, has found a place in most best dressed lists, counted among the most memorable looks of the night. And bear in mind that she is in august company. Think Rihanna, Madonna and the absolutely angelic Kate Perry.
Chopra was counted among the best dressed at the event, along with the likes of Rihanna, Madonna and Kate Perry.
To ensure that the optics were correct, PeeCee went back to old favourite Ralph Lauren for a velvet gown in crimson, also known as cardinal red, with ornate headgear that harked back to a medieval knight. Crafted by hand in over 250 hours, the headgear’s embroidery was done in India, bringing together her two homes.
Deepika Padukone, walked the Met gala in a beautiful red gown by Prabal Gurung gown with the thigh-high slit may be lauded at any red carpet but not at Metgala and twitterati’s were not happy with her appearance as they felt her dress didn’t fit the theme of the event. Recently featuring on the TIME’s 100 most influential list, after lot of flak from the fans she made a statement on her twitter mentioning the source of inspiration – the robe of holy cardinals – that it fits into the Gala’s theme.
This year’s Met Gala was hosted by Rihanna, Amal Clooney and Donatella Versace alongside Vogue’s Anna Wintour. While Rihanna chose a Maison Margiela Artisana attire accompanied with a Pope like hat, Amal attended the evening wearing a dramatic metallic floral-print corset dress and navy pants designed by Richard Quinn. She was accompanied by husband George Clooney, who chose a traditional black tuxedo.
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