What was predicted to be Met Gala's most controversial theme also proved to be one of their most interesting ones yet. Pulling inspiration from the divine and religious is not a new concept in the fashion world, as seen in the past collections of Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Givenchy. But seeing celebrities and designers put their own spin on incorporating religion into red carpet outfits was surely delightful.
Below, we rounded up 40 religious references we spotted at this year's Met Gala circling around the theme: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.
THE CRUSADERS
Wearing of the cross can be traced back to the crusades that started in 1096. Pope Urban II decreed that stitching the cross on a soldier's garment signaled that he was fighting on behalf of Christians. This outward gesture carried on until the 12th century and later on became an insignia of royalty and military religious orders as a sign of their knighthood.
Now, at the Met Gala, we're seeing crosses of different sizes, colors, and forms: Jennifer Lopez's jewel-encrusted and feathered gown, Natasha Poly's mosaic-like frock, Kim Kardashian's subtle gilded rendition, and Natalia Vodanovia's shimmery coordinate version. Meanwhile, other celebs including Olivia Munn, Nicki Minaj, and Priyanka Chopra opted for knight-worthy chainmail to accentuate their outfits.
1. Jennifer Lopez in Balmain
2. Natasha Poly in Balmain
3. Kim Kardashian in Versace
4. Natalia Vodanovia in Balmain
5. Nicki Minaj in Oscar de la Renta
6. Priyanka Chopra in Ralph Lauren
7. Olivia Munn in J. Mendel
THE MARYS
Of course, the Catholic religion is never without the vision of Mary and all her personas and depictions.
8. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Ralph Lauren
Rosie brought to life Raphael's Madonna of the Meadow image with a gold gown and halo.
9. Lana Del Rey in Gucci
Lana went for Alessandro Michele's rendition of The Blessed Virgin Mary and her Seven Sorrows.
10. Janelle Monáe
Janelle took inspo from the golden halo that the Virgin Mary is often pictured with, and she toughened it up with a chainmail hood and a black and white suit. It's a modern version of the Madonna, don't you agree?
11. Kate Bosworth in Oscar de la Renta
Kate became the life-like image of the Weeping Madonna as she donned a white tulle gown flecked with gold and topped with a thin white veil with embellished trimming.
12. Sza in Versace
Sza gave the Weeping Madonna a princess makeover with a jewel-tipped halo and a lilac tulle gown.
13. Madonna in Jean Paul Gaultier
Meanwhile, Madonna gave her version of Mary a rocker chic vibe.
14. Sarah Jessica Parker in Dolce & Gabbana
Doesn't SJP look like our very own Lady of Manaoag?
15. Cardi B in Moschino
Cardi B is the living version of a pregnant Mother Mary if she got decked out in a head-to-toe Moschino ensemble!
16. Solange
The Lady of Deliverance came to life in the form of Solange Knowles.
IMAGE Wikimedia Commons
THE RELIGIOUS
17. Zendaya in Versace
Zendaya went for Albert Lynch's Jeanne d'Arc (1903). Stunning!
18. Shailene Woodley in Ralph Lauren
Shailene was also inspired by Joan of Arc, and her version was done in a sleek, modern minimalist way.
19. Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton
Michelle also channeled Joan of Arc, but she preferred a chic, column gown instead of armor.
20. Taylor Hill in Diane Von Furstenberg
Taylor went as a chic bishop complete with a capelet and a thigh-high slit.
21. Ruby Rose
Ruby Rose followed suit, but her stylish bishop aesthetic hinged on pleated details and an oversized suede belt.
22. Anna Wintour in Chanel
Anna Wintour came as an ethereal Pope. That is, if you can picture Karl Lagerfeld dressing the Vatican leader.
23. Rihanna in Maison Margiela
Rihanna showed just how fab the Pope's uniform can be if he had John Galliano by his side.
Did someone ask for a fab nun and a chic priestess? Here are Lily and Tessa showing you how it's done:
24. Lily Collins in Givenchy
25. Tessa Thompson in Thom Browne
THE ANGELS
Angels are a huge part of religion and have been presented in many versions. But perhaps our top favorites are the ones below clad in designer frocks.
26. Katy Perry in Versace
27. Irina Shayk in Versace
28. Selena Gomez in Coach
29. Evan Rachel Wood in Altuzarra
30. Diane Kruger in Prabal Gurung
31. Hailee Steinfeld in Prabal Gurung
THE CHURCH
There was no shortage of creativity and whimsy at this year's Met Gala as stars also pulled inspiration from actual architecture associated with Catholicism.
32. Gigi Hadid in Versace
For example, Gigi came as a church's stained glass window.
33. Ariana Grande in Vera Wang
Ariana also donned a frock printed with Michaelangelo's famous paintings from the Sistine Chapel.
34. Stella Maxwell in Moschino
Victoria's Secret model Stella Maxwell wore the saints' images often seen in chapels on her dress.
35. Naomi Watts in Michael Kors
Naomi's frock was reminiscent of the opulent brocade furniture details of the Renaissance era.
36. Cara Delevingne in Dior
We'd love to confess our fashion sins to Cara, who brought to life the confessional box with her beaded veil and lattice gown. So cool!
THE RENAISSANCE ROYALTY
Looking at these stars, it's not hard to see why red and gold were the colors of prestige and power back in the Renaissance era!
37. Blake Lively in Versace
38. Amber Heard in Carolina Herrera
39. Amanda Seyfried in Prada
40. Joan Smalls in Tommy Hilfiger
