Indeed most of the designers who partook in creating the pieces for the Gala and the Metropolitan Museum’s exhibition were Catholic, or else had a Catholic upbringing. However, whether it can properly be called ‘cultural appreciation’ is another matter. Such divine images may hold the key to (re)introducing many people to the awesome beauty of Catholicism.Īs Catholicism is not an historically oppressed religion, its art and style cannot be considered to have been ‘culturally appropriated’ in the Gala. Doubtless the event was a success, and the fashion is undeniably stunning. The Met Gala, with its huge attendance and media coverage, brought Catholicism back into a wide public sphere. Church attendance is at an incredible low-point in Europe and America, with many people attending Church only once a week, and some only attending on religious holidays. Some people believe that this move by the Vatican may have provided the Catholic Church with a much-needed boost. They allowed objects of their collections to pass beyond the doors of the Vatican in order to be used in what I can describe as a fashion show. The Vatican, however, evidently gave not only its permission but also its support to the designers and organisers of the event. Celebrities bearing halos, vestments, and enormous wings could be seen to elevate themselves above their station. The public display of papal artefacts alongside designer outfits might seem disrespectful, reducing Catholicism to a fashion accessory. Sarah-Jessica Parker in “Dolce & Gabbana”ĥ.The theme of the 2018 Met Gala – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination – has had some mixed reviews within and without of the Catholic community, with diverse opinions across the board. Alexa Chung in “Alexa Chung” (she designed this herself!)ģ.
Here is a round-up of some of my absolute favourite looks from that night (in no particular order)!ġ. I, for one FEASTED my eyes on some of these ornate outfits because this year everyone came to SLAY. Scenes based off of old-century artworks that can be seen in churches and museums were printed on fabrics as well and incorporated the theme even further. There were many beautiful textures and textiles to be seen and wonderful colours that truly represented the vision of that very night. A lot of inspiration came from centuries ago, where holy figures & kings/queens would don garments that oozed power. Personally loved how some of the pieces were very regal in structure and style. “To me what is central to Catholicism and fashion is the idea of the body, there’s an inherent carnality to Catholicism, as there is with fashion.” Source: I wondered myself about how these two separate ideals intertwined, and my research led me to this statement I came across by Andrew Bolton who is a curator at the Met’s Costume Institute: Put these two concepts together and you get some of the most fashionable & iconic looks that has ever blessed your eyes- straight from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Hey everyone! This week was a pretty eventful one being that it was the 2018 Met Gala! Hold on though… did you guys ACTUALLY see and keep up-to-date with every Met Gala look that graced the red carpet (well it’s actually not entirely red but you know what I mean!)? I did, and I must say I was super impressed… some of the pieces that I saw were just MIND-BLOWING! This year’s theme “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” had designers from all over the world creating beautifully crafted pieces inspired by Catholicism and it’s intricate connection with the human body form.