MET Gala 2018: The Most Showstopping Looks

Taking place every first Monday of May, the MET Gala is a who’s who of the international fashion circuit. Designers, celebrities, models and industry insiders alike showcase their best on this special night in New York City. This year’s exhibition theme, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”, promised an exploration into the dialogue between fashion and religious arts from the MET’s archives. With an impressive list of co-hosts (Amal Clooney, Rihanna and Donatella Versace), the stakes were certainly high. Click through the gallery below to see our list of best dressed attendees at this year's gala.

Above Photo: @versace

Chadwick Boseman

He may not be the Black Panther and King of the Wakanda in real life, but Chadwick Boseman’s all-white Atelier Versace tuxedo was fit for royalty, with an embroidered cape and jacket adorned with large gold crosses.

Above Photo: Frazer Harrison

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen

You should expect nothing less from the talented fashion twins behind labels such as The Row and Elizabeth & James, who floated up the stairs in monastic vintage Paco Rabanne robes and statement necklaces, proving that glamour doesn’t always have to be over the top.

Above Photo: @versace

Katy Perry

Leave it to Katy Perry to make a grand entrance. The popstar (and performer at last year’s gala) turned heads entering the venue in a vintage convertible—it was the only vehicle that could contain her life-size angel wings slung over a gold Atelier Versace chainmail dress and matching boots.

Above Photo: @gucci

Jared Leto

Is that you, Jesus? Many felt Jared Leto channelled the holy man himself, dressed in an elaborate blue Gucci tuxedo with a heavily decorated sash, a golden laurel crown and a wispy beard to match.

Above Photo: Fashion Sizzle

Diane Kruger

Unlike other red carpet events, the MET Gala requires guests to walk up a long flight of stairs—making it the perfect opportunity for a beautiful train, like the one on Diane Kruger’s stunning sky blue Prabal Gurung frock with delicate silver stitching. She also wore a Philip Treacy x Tasaki Headpiece to match, the jewellery brand of which Gurung is creative director.

Above Photo: Jamie McCarthy

Anna Wintour

Demure and elegant, the host of the biggest night in fashion dressed on theme while keeping true to her signature look. Wintour wore a dazzling white dress by Chanel Haute Couture with strategic cutouts along the collarbone and a long cross necklace.

Above Photo: @versace

Blake Lively

Blake Lively had a princess moment in an extravagant Atelier Versace gown. It took 600 hours just to embroider the bodice alone. The heavily decorated dress was reminiscent of grand papal robes and was paired with a spikey halo crown as the finishing detail.

Above Photo: Dia Dipasupil

Rihanna

It’s a well-known fact that Rihanna can do no wrong when it comes to fashion. Case in poin—any of her MET Gala looks. As one of the co-hosts of the evening, the singer sported a mini dress, cape and papal headpiece by John Galliano for Maison Margiela. The starlet finished her look with heels by Christian Louboutin, jewellery by Cartier and Maria Tash and a custom clutch by the late Judith Leiber.

Above Photo: @versace

Kim Kardashian

Like many of her peers, Kim Kardashian chose to wear Versace for this year’s MET Gala. While others may have taken the more-is-more approach, Kardashian kept it relatively paired down in a custom-made Atelier Verasce figure-hugging gown in liquid gold chainmail. Reminiscent of the designs by the late Gianni Versace in the late 1990’s, the dress was only accented with two embroidered Byzantine crosses.

Above Photo: @maisonvalentino

Frances McDormand

All eyes were on Academy Award-winning actress Frances McDormand when she took to the red carpet. The actress chose one of the most noteworthy looks from Spring/Summer 2018 Valentino Haute Couture; a floor-length cape in taffeta with a pantsuit underneath to match. But what was most remarkable about the look was the custom emerald feather headpiece by Philip Treacy.

Above Photo: @versace

Zendaya

Zendaya served up some serious Joan of Ark vibes in her custom Atelier Versace gown. The floor-length and long-sleeved gown was crafted out of chainmail, intricate beading and metal plates. Paired with silver rings and sky-high sandals by Jimmy Choo, Zendaya’s most notable pairing is with her newly debuted short red bob.

Above Photo: John Shearer

Madonna

Arguably the original artist in Hollywood who used religion in her music, Madonna made a grand entrance at the MET Gala in a long-sleeved gown by Jean Paul Gaultier, which she paired with a black net veil and a crown adorned with jewelled crosses by Indonesian designed Rinaldy Yunardi. Much to everyone's surprise, Madonna performed some of her greatest hits such as "Like A Prayer" and "Hallelujah" on the steps of the museum to kickstart the night.

Lily Collins

The American actress went goth for her MET Gala look this year thanks to Givenchy Hatue Couture. Collins donned a black bodysuit with a graphic neckline and a sheer skirt, with Cartier jewels and a metal crown to match. Her occult and dark arts-inspired make-up was the perfect finishing touch.

Virgil Abloh

Following the announcement of Virgil Abloh taking over Louis Vuitton men’s, he took the MET Gala as an opportunity to showcase the house’s savoire faire and designed something for himself to wear. Abloh wore a cream coloured suit from his label, Off-White, and paired it with an embroidered scarf and straps from Louis Vuitton—and let's not forget the sneakers; a new colourway of Air Jordans.

Above @versace

Takeoff, Quavo and Offset of Migos

The American hip-hop trio proved their power in numbers by showing up to the MET Gala together in matching custom-made Atelier Versace looks. The artists of Migos wore tuxedo jackets completely encrusted with Swarovski crystals and finished off looks with layers of diamond chains, signet rings and Versace sunglasses.

Topics

MET Gala Fashion Style

Tatler Asia

MET Gala 2018: The Most Showstopping Looks

Chadwick Boseman

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen

Katy Perry

Jared Leto

Diane Kruger

Anna Wintour

Blake Lively

Rihanna

Kim Kardashian

Frances McDormand

Zendaya

Madonna

Lily Collins

Virgil Abloh

Takeoff, Quavo and Offset of Migos