This year’s Met Gala theme, Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination has a spiritual leader, and her name is Rihanna. For the fashion set, seeing the singer on the red carpet in Maison Margiela complete with papal mitre-inspired hat was an almost religious experience.
Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Fenty, co-chaired the event alongside Donatella Versace, Anna Wintour and Amal Clooney, arriving for the red carpet in a pearl and crystal gown featuring a mini skirt with an over-sized train and matching jacket.
Rihanna’s look was typically on-theme for this year’s event. The accompanying features couture-inspired Catholic robes and imagery, along with papal garments and liturgical pieces that have been loaned from the Vatican.
Unsurprisingly Twitter was alight with praise for Rihanna’s look, with many users considering converting to the Church of Fenty.
This year's theme had the potential to offend and stir controversy, and Rihanna did not hold back. She was among many stars relishing the opportunity to subvert traditional ecclesiastical imagery and patriarchal symbols of power. Here's some more of our favourite looks.
Solange tweeted "I feel heavenly in black", after asking her fans to choose her outfit.
Singer Janelle Monáe arrived with designer Marc Jacobs. Sporting a combo of chain mail headwear with halo, she looked like a living, breathing version of St Joan of Arc.
Writer and actor Mindy Kaling opted for a regal look, while comedian and 'The Daily Show' host Trevor Noah wore the theme right on his sleeve.
And model Winnie Harlow dressed as an angel.
Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman's suit embraced iconography, while actors Priyanka Chopra and Zendaya both had a medieval interpretation of the theme.
Rapper Cardi B is 2018's answer to Madonna with Child.
Comedy writer and actor, Lena Waithe in her rainbow cape took the opportunity to represent the LGBTIQ+ community. “The theme to me is, like, ‘Be yourself,’” she told the on the red carpet. “You were made in God’s image, right?”
