Angels and goths, temptresses and winged creatures, the entire gamut of the Sistine Chapel descended on the Met stairs for an unforgettable night of fashion, pomp and role play.
Exclusive to Gulf News tabloid!, design writer Pratyush Sarup selects the best dressed. Oh and unlike fashion bloggers, we provide reason.
1. Madonna in Jean Paul Gaultier Couture
You would be forgiven for calling it boring — until you saw the look in motion. M is our No 1, not just because weaving Catholic imagery into her metier has been the theme of her life. But because, as she transformed her Goth red carpet moment into the virginal white Joan of Arc look at the Met stairs for the post-dinner performance, she presented the most potent of Catholic themes, redemption. And in the process illuminated her own journey.
2. Rihanna in Maison Margiela Artisanal by John Galliano
Few stars go all out like Rihanna. Few designers are known to embrace catholic imagery into their works better than Galliano. Add to that the fact that Riri served as co-chair at the ball, did you have any doubt she would shut down the red carpet? Stealing the conservation away from Pope’s garbs, the oversized, ornately embellished outfit fits in perfectly with its wearer’s Fashion MO.
3. Sarah Jessica Parker in Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda
Parker went all out in this golden filigree, heart-embellished gown. The ruffled sleeves, the long train and sheer extravagance of it all — it’s the old, oft-repeated theme from the designers’ stable, but the actress, anointed in an intricate nativity-scene headdress, transformed it into a brand-new spectacle.
4. Priyanka Chopra in Ralph Lauren Collection
The Quantico actress put on a head-turning scarlet velvet sheath with an ornate head and chest piece to great visual impact. What is most applaud-worthy is that she isn’t lost in the look. Her hair and make-up frame her gilded face into one of the most stunning beauty looks of the night. Also flying the Indian flag was actress Deepika Padukone in Prabal Gurung — but maybe she confused the occasion for Cannes — the theme was glaringly absent.
5. Blake Lively in Atelier Versace
Fashion’s favourite darling has done it yet again. The theme was alive: from the colour scarlet, to the jewel-encrusted bodice with the most mesmerising train and a Lorraine Schwartz diamond halo. No wonder Lively’s Met Gala moment is burning down twitter.
6. Kim Kardashian in Atelier Versace
Kim K poured herself into a liquid-gold Atelier Versace chainmail gown that took her one step closer to fashion divinity. The reality star has been on a fashion re-invention journey, and this minimal yet impactful look is its zenith. Co-chair Donatella Versace must be proud.
7. Imaan Hammam in Zac Posen
As the only model to make this list, Hamman embraced the less obvious aspects of the catholic imagery — modesty. This black cape-gown concept would have been a disaster in any other designer’s hands, but this is Zac Posen. As he reinvented the nun’s habit for the Gala, it is not amiss that this look also pays homage to Hammam’s roots.
8. Evan Rachel Wood in Altuzarra
In a sea of winged creates, most noticeably Katy Perry — who took the event’s slant for costumey looks into the realm of ridiculous — Wood’s feathered look stood out for its black counterbalance of layered gild.
9. Sarah Paulson in Prada
The American Horror Story star’s look signalled one thing for sure — the days of boring Prada looks are well over. The sheer ostentatiousness of the fabric and the overlaid embroidery speak perfectly to the Catholic world’s love for excess. The bow added little wings.
10. Salman Hayek in Altuzarra
Hayek’s proportions are not typically fashion-friendly, but here, everything works.
Where is the theme, you ask? The custom Altuzarra sequin-embroidered gown depicts, in the manner of a Sistine chapel fresco, the biblical Garden of Eden. A breath of fresh air in a museum filled with gowns, crowns and veils.
