Divine designs grace carpet at Met Gala
DIVINE designs floated up the red carpet at Monday's religion-themed Met Gala in shimmering golds, reds and fuchsia, in crowns and in crosses, and even a pair of giant wings.
One lesson of the night: If anyone can make a mitre modern, it's Rihanna. The Grammywinning artist — never one to shy away from a grand entrance — arrived dripping in pearls and crystals in a Maison Margiela by John Galliano minidress, ornate robe and beaded papal headgear.
The annual fundraising fete in New York brings out Hollywood's elite for an evening of fashion and charity and to celebrate the spring exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute — this year, "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination."
Along with Rihanna, who reigned supreme, other standouts included supermodel
Gigi Hadid in a one-shouldered, beaded Versace gown seemingly inspired by stainedglass windows (or butterflies), and Zendaya, a fierce Versace warrior princess in armor-like layers and delicate chainmail fabric, inspired by Joan of Arc.
Katy Perry rose to the occasion of the night's theme challenge with larger-than-life feathered angel wings, metallic boots and dress by Versace. After wowing on the red carpet, the pop star was forced to turn sideways to squeeze the sixfoot stunners through the gala entryway.
If Perry looked to the heavens for inspiration, Nicki Minaj seemed to peer in the other direction with a sequined Oscar de La Renta gown in vibrant shades of red and maroon. The temptation-inspired look came com-low-plunging plete with billow-plunging ing sleeves, a neckline and a beaded headpiece.
Stars also channeled the theme with shimmering gold fabrics, and, of course, crosses.
Jennifer Lopez, who picked a colorful Balmain number with a feathered train and sky-high slit, had a bejeweled cross emblazoned on her chest. "Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman wore an ivory cape featuring crosses in gold beadwork. And Kim Kardashian
West — walking the carpet sans her husband, Kanye West, who is under fire for recent controversial tweets — wore her cross on a shimmering gold Versace dress.
Other Kardashian family members represented at the Met Gala included matriarch Kris Jenner in a high-collared, feathery concoction and Kylie Jenner in a long, strapless black gown featuring a torso cut-out.
Madonna rocked an allblack Jean Paul Gaultier frock with a crown made of crosses.
"Religion and spirituality has informed my work for my entire career, and fashion also, and combining the two is the perfect marriage," said the pop star. "And then we bring in Jean Paul and it's the perfect threeway!"
As always, there was a sea of spectacular trains, like Diane Kruger's sky-blue Prabal Gurung number.
Bella Hadid held court as a gothic priestess as her goldembroidered headpiece-train fanned out over a simple black corset and skirt by Chrome Hearts Official. The dramatic
look was topped off with a structured, embossed leather jacket, emblazoned with a gold cross.
Ariana Grande arrived with designer Vera Wang, who created the singer's romantic look: a strapless confection of soft layers patterned with Michelangelo's Last Judgment, atop blush tulle.
Cardi B showed off her baby bump in a pearl-drenched gown and headdress by Jeremy Scott while Blake Lively urged photographers to "calm down" in a stately, burgundy embroidered gown by Versace.