Every year, on the first Monday in May, the fashion elite converge on New York City for the annual Met Gala. Ostensibly a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, it also marks the grand opening of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibit. In reality, the event has lovingly come to be known as “fashion prom.” Invite-only guests to the gala attend in elaborate black-tie fashions, making it one of most anticipated evenings in the fashion world. Now that the 2018 Met Gala has come and gone, we wanted to review the evening and some of its best fashions.
This Year’s Theme
The theme of this year’s Costume Institute exhibit is “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.” The exhibit centers on religious iconography and influence in fashion. In addition to designs from Coco Chanel, John Galliano, and Cristóbal Balenciaga, the Vatican has loaned the collection 40 pieces of its own. It has become tradition for attendees to choose their looks for the night to correspond with the exhibit’s theme.
Our Favorite Looks
Blake Lively
Actress Blake Lively knows how to choose looks for a red carpet. She consistently makes good choices for the red carpet, and she wore another magnificent look to the Met Gala. Lively’s Versace gown had a train so enormous that she had to arrive at the Gala in a bus to contain it. Elevating her look even more were the $2 million of Lorraine Schwartz jewelry that accessorized the gown. In addition to bracelets, rings, and emerald and diamond earrings, Lively’s custom halo featured 100 carats of champagne diamonds.
Rihanna
While we eagerly await each look to arrive at the Met Gala, we are ecstatic to see what Rihanna will be wearing. She serves up serious fashion, and always pays especially close attention to the event’s theme. This year Rihanna donned a Maison Margiela gown that obviously inspired by papal vestments. The elaborate pearl- and crystal-embellished gown and jacket were topped off by a matching miter hat — the style of hat most know as “the Pope hat.”
Gigi Hadid
Model Gigi Hadid attended the gala in a stunning Versace gown chosen by Donatella Versace herself. The gown was beaded to give the effect of sun shining through a stained glass window. Her angelic makeup was reportedly accomplished with an as-yet unreleased Maybelline palette. Hadid has collaborated with the makeup brand in the past.
Jasmine Sanders
Jasmine Sanders structural gown would have been equally at home at the 2016 Met Gala. That year’s theme was Manus X Machina and attendees wore all kinds of gorgeous futuristic and metallic pieces. The model and Instagram influencer’s architectural gown is actually an H&M creation custom-made for Sanders to wear to the gala.
Kate Bosworth
For this year’s gown, Kate Bosworth reached out to the same designer who created her bridal gown, Oscar de la Renta. Her Met gown felt inspired by both bridal fashions and Catholic First Communion dresses. The demure veil/cape hybrid flowed over the white and gold gown into a dramatic train.
Bee Shaffer
Bee Shaffer accompanied her mother Anna Wintour to the gala this year wearing a siren red Maison Valentino gown. The gown first appeared in Valentino’s Spring 2018 Couture collection. Shaffer accessorized the gown with a red clutch embellished with a golden crucifix.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez’s look appeared to draw inspiration from knights of the crusades with its large embellished cross across her torso. The bejeweled Balmain gown gave way to a long, elegant feathered train. Tiffany diamond earrings completed her Met Gala look.
Cardi B
Cardi B is a newcomer to the Gala red carpet, but she made an impression this year! She attended the Gala with designer Jeremy Scott who designed the Moschino look especially for Cardi. The jeweled gown, which matched Scott’s suit, hugged her pregnant curves while a voluminous over-skirt added drama. An ornate jeweled headpiece completed the regal look.
Taylor Hill
Victoria Secret model Taylor Hill went full Vatican regalia for her Met look. The Diane Von Furstenberg outfit closely resembles those worn by Catholic cardinals, though likely with far less of a smoky eye. Her on-theme outfit was completed with with Jacob & Co. jewels.
What did you think of this year’s Met Gala looks? Did your favorite outfit not make our list? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
