Next year’s Met Gala will take inspiration from the often uneasy relationship between fashion and religion, with the theme for 2018’s event – and for the Costume Institute’s major annual exhibition – newly announced as ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.’
According to Vogue, the exhibition itself is ‘designed to create a dialogue between fashion and the masterworks of religious art in the museum’s holdings,’ and will stretch across three locations (a trinity, if you will): the Anna Wintour Costume Centre, the Met’s medieval galleries and the Cloisters, which are found further uptown.
The 150 or so ensembles set to go on display include pieces by the likes of Cristobal Balenciaga, Coco Chanel and John Galliano, all of which will highlight the long-standing (if not immediately obvious) influence that religious iconography, art and vestments has exerted upon the fashion world. Also on loan (from the Sistine Chapel, no less) are some papal garments that have never yet been seen outside the Vatican.
Vogue reports that Costume Institute curator Andrew Bolton aims to place these garments within ‘the broader context of religious artistic production’ in this exhibition, and to reveal how ‘material Christianity’ has informed ‘the Catholic imagination.’
The Gala itself will take place as ever on the first Monday in May, which will fall on the 7th of the month in 2018. Sharing hosting duties with Anna Wintour is a triumvirate of brilliant women: Amal Clooney, Rihanna and Donatella Versace (who, along with Christine and Stephen A. Schwarzman, is also a sponsor of the ‘Heavenly Bodies’ show).
Last year’s event was a tribute to the avant garde art of Japanese fashion designer Rei Kawakubo, co-hosted by Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams, Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady, while the 2016 gala took the theme ‘Manus Ex Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology.’
All that remains is to speculate how the Met’s high profile guests will interpret this particular dress code come May 8th: we predict that Dolce & Gabbana will prove a very popular choice
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Met Gala 2017 Best Dressed - Grazia
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The woman of the evening, Anna Wintour, arrived to the prestigious event in a sequin gown by Chanel.
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Gisele Bündchen was one of the first to arrive on the red carpet alongside her husband and fellow Gala host, Tom Brady. The supermodel opted for a cut-out gown by Stella McCartney.
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Pharell Williams and wife Helen Lasichanh paid homage to the theme and both donned Comme Des Garçons.
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Clare Danes dressed down in comparison to last year's light-up gown. This time, the actress opted for a ruffled, de-constructed shirt and flared trousers by Monse.
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Anna Wintour's daughter, Bee Shaffer, donned a floral gown by Alexander McQueen.
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Katy Perry undoubtedly steals the media spotlight in a Maison Margiela gown and veil.
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Model Aymeline Valade gave us major outfit envy on the red carpet after opting for a cobalt two-piece by Marni.
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Kylie Jenner opted for a nude embellished gown by Versace.
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Selena Gomez and boyfriend The Weeknd make their red carpet debut together at the Met Gala 2017. Selena wore a custom-made Coach gown by Stuart Vevers.
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Selena Gomez opted for a pink Coach gown for the fashion ceremony.
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Emma Roberts is a girl after our own hearts after channelling old Hollywood glamour. The actress just proved red and pink is spring/summer '17's greatest trend.
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Lily Collins wins hands down for taking the theme seriously. The actress paid sartorial homage to Rei Kawakubo with a blunt bob and tulle gown.
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Girl of the moment, Sofia Richie, opted for a metallic gown by Topshop. The 18-year-old finished the look with jewellery by Messika and a biker jacket draped across her shoulders.
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Fashion's favourite twins did not disappoint. The sisters opted for a vintage take on the theme and donned layers of vintage jewellery, lace and embroidery.
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All throughout the night, 'Where is Rihanna?' has been trending. We think it's pretty clear who won the award for best dressed. The singer opted for a Comme des Garçons dress and custom-made sandals by DSquared2.
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Cara Delevingne donned head-to-toe metallic silver, quite literally. The model-turned-actress opted for an embellished two-piece suit by Chanel.
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Solange Knowles treated the theme with sartorial precision and opted for a quilted jacket by Thom Browne.
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Emily Ratajkowski opted for a a sequinned gown and low pony.
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Zendaya opted for a cold-shoulder gown by Dolce and Gabbana. She finished the look with a coral lip.
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Blake Lively proved she's a pro when it comes to the red carpet as she opted for a gold dress by Atelier Versace.
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Perhaps aware that her ex-boyfriend The Weeknd had brought Selena Gomez to the event, Bella Hadid stepped it up a notch in an Alexander Wang bodysuit.
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Diane Kruger opted for a Prada gown finished with Bulgari jewellery.
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Gigi Hadid opted for a floor-skimming gown by Tommy Hilfiger for the fashion ceremony. She was not joined by boyfriend Zayn Malik after he was spotted in a wheelchair yesterday.
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Hailey Baldwin chose a sweet tulle two-piece by Carolina Herrera. The model finished the look with a Swarovski studded veil custom made by Gigi Burris Millinery.
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Zoë Kravitz channelled the Comme des Garçons aesthetic in a millenial pink Oscar de la Renta gown featuring origami-style pleats.
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Maggie Gyllenhaal donned one of the biggest trends of spring/summer '17, the 'drouser'. The actress opted for a floral print by Marni finished with a bold lip.
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Ruby Rose chose a scallop-effect dress with a sweetheart neckline by Burberry for the prestigious night.
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Brie Larson wore a Chanel gold embellished silk organza top and skirt with feather detailing.
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Lena Dunham wore an extreme oversized Elizabeth Kennedy gown with one shoulder and full skirt.
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Lily Rose Depp looked ever so pretty in a magenta Chanel gown with floral embellishment.
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Madonna took to the red carpet in a camo Moschino gown.
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Chrissy Teigen wowed in a black-and-white floral and embroidered lace gown with semi-sheer train by Marchesa.
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Kim Kardashian kept it simple in a white off-shoulder Vivienne Westwood gown.
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Amy Schumer rocked a black leather-look dress with sweetheart neckline and floral sleeve detailing by Zac Posen.