A constellation of glittering stars strode the red carpet of Met Gala 2018, otherwise known as the world’s greatest stage for avant-garde (or bizarre) fashion moments. As if visiting us from the empyrean, celebrities ascended the steps of the Metropolitan Museum on May 7 garbed in fluttery ruffles with sky-reaching headpieces, gold chainmail, sequinned suits, sweeping overskirts and giant feathered wings (you know who) – befitting this year’s theme and the highly anticipated grand opening of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibition Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.
The annual, invitation-only event, which benefits the New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, is co-hosted by fashion darling Donatella Versace, prominent human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, Grammy-winning artist Rihanna and the ever-poised Anna Wintour who dressed as – wait for it – ‘Cardinal Chanel’. Options pick the top ten looks that aced the ‘Sunday Best’ dress code, also a reference to the exhibit that the party honours.
Amal Clooney
Richard Quinn
This outfit is the best of two worlds, both feminine and practical; we can’t help but love the navy ankle trousers under that gorgeous long train! This outfit is clearly designed for the woman who wants – and has – it all, and Amal's confident attitude is really the most flattering accessory she could have chosen.
Blake Lively
Versace
We love this dress because she looks like a princess here. From the sensual crimson train, the embroidered detail on her bodice and the silhouette from the sheer panels of the skirt to the grace that comes with just being her, Blake Lively’s look is perfect.
Chadwick Boseman
Versace
Turns out the king of Wakanda also rules on the red carpet. Parading in a jaw-dropping, embellished ivory cape like a true royalty, Boseman rocks a matching three-piece suit and finishes the look with glittering, gold shoes #likeabose.
Emilia Clarke
Dolce & Gabbana
Not only does Emilia outfit stay true to the theme, but it also pays homage to her onscreen role as Queen Daenerys. In real life, she is delightfully witty and really sweet, making this rather regal and majestic dress quite an unusual choice – a representation of the duality in all our personalities perhaps?
Frances McDormand
Valentino
Two-time Oscar winner Frances McDormand sashayed in a fitted chartreuse pants number with a ruffly, teal robe – clearly, a sartorial departure from her preferred colour. Her feathery, face-ensconcing headgear is not hiding the fact that she’s having the most fun here. “McDormand has the personality, talent and fierceness to wear this garment,” says Pierpaolo Piccioli, creative director of Valentino. There. He said it.
Gigi Hadid
Versace
It’s an all hail to saint Gigi and Versace with this bedazzling work of art. Channelling angel’s wings – in a sartorially much preferred way than the other winged costume at the gala this year – the single-shoulder beaded gown draws inspiration from the iridescence of stain glass art.
Jared Leto
Gucci
If there’s one star to count on to bring his A-game to the Met Gala, it would be actor and musician Jared Leto. And he certainly added a divine presence with his Virgin Mary blue Gucci suit designed by Alessandro Michele himself. Paired with a pink pussy bow shirt, the dramatic “Jesus” look was completed with a floral brocade stole and a golden crown.
Deepika Padukone
Prabal Gurung
Although the crowd argue that she didn’t adhere to the theme, Padukone looks ravishing in her stunning red dress. With her hair gelled back, understated diamond earrings, and matching red heels, this desi goddess really lets the dress do all the talking.
Priyanka Chopra
Ralph Lauren
Quantico star Priyanka Chopra used her deep burgundy velvet Ralph Lauren gown as a canvas on which to show off an embellished gold chain mail coif for a look reminiscent of a medieval knight – or Mother Mary meets the Knights of the Round Table. The custom-made ornate hood took over 250 hours to hand-make with red Swarovski crystals and gold beads.
Rihanna
Maison Margiela by John Galliano
Lauded with everything from ‘Her Holiness Rihanna’ to ‘The Church of Rihanna’, Bad Girl Riri dazzled as host of the Met Gala in a papal-inspired heavily beaded white and black mini dress. A matching jacket, hat, chunky necklace and Christian Louboutin heels complete the look of this pope of pop.
