my favorite met gala looks

I look forward to the Met Gala every single year, because it's the one red carpet event where celebrities are encouraged to just go buckwild on the red carpet. When they announced that this year's gala would be cohosted by Rihanna and the theme was "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" I was beyond excited. First of all, Rihanna consistently is the best dressed and the decision to have her as a cohost was brilliant. Secondly, my parents were raised Catholic, so there is so much about Catholic imagery that was a part of my life. I wasn't raised Catholic myself, but I still know a lot about the church. Also, if you've taken any art history course, there's a good chance you've been exposed to Catholic imagery. It's EVERYWHERE. They dominated Western culture for hundreds of years; there's so much art inspired by the Catholic church, it was natural to have this as a theme.

Anyway, I wanted to collect my favorite looks here so I can just reflect on how FANTASTIC this red carpet was! There were so many hairpieces and haloes, people were bejeweled and sparkly, and all the crosses made me feel like I should send up a prayer that I wasn't being sacrilegious. As usual, there were many boring and safe celebrities in simple gowns and tuxedos (she says as she writes this post in her robe), BUT we were treated with so many fantastic looks. Twitter was having a grand old time, and so was I!


First of all we have the QUEEN of the Met Gala herself, Rihanna aka the Young Pope. This look was AMAZING. She had to be one of the first on the carpet as a cohost, and damn did Rihanna set the bar high for everyone. I want to know how quickly after hearing the theme Rihanna decided her look was going to be the pope. Because of course! Who else could be the pope of the Met Gala? No one. Rihanna is unmatched, and I am already looking forward to what else she will give us next year.

One of my highlights of last month was Ariana Grande releasing new music. I fell hard for Ariana, the princess of pop who brings out consistent bops. This year she rocked her Italian heritage by wearing the Sistine Chapel in a fabulous gown. She also rocked a big ass bow, because Ariana is consistently girly and feminine, and I love her deeply for it. I would love for Ariana's winged eyeliner to just stab me because she is too perfect.

Another highlight of the past year for me is Cardi B. I only just discovered her late last year, but I'm in love. Cardi B is so authentically herself, and she makes me giggle in every interview. She's living her best life and I'm thrilled at her success. Since she's currently pregnant, Cardi B decided to be the Virgin Mary and WOW what a look. It was reminiscent of Beyoncé's iconic Grammy's performance, and now I want every single pregnant celebrity to be glamorous and over the top, because pregnancy is a goddamn miracle.

Okay once again, Tessa Thompson is a person who came into my life last year, and I am so grateful for it. She's a gorgeous woman whose acting career I am thrilled to be following. I first saw a photo of her look from the back, which I thought "hmm, okay looks nice." Then I saw the front and realized her choker was a clerical collar. I LIVED. Also her winged eye liner is a cross? Genius and inspired.

With all this Catholic imagery, I was sincerely hoping for someone to do a Jeanne d'Arc inspired look... and Zendaya delivered and did the damn thing. Zendaya is slowly becoming a Gen Z Rihanna, because she is consistently delivering in her red carpet looks, especially at the Met Gala. Get this woman a sword and a shield. I will blindly follow Zendaya into battle.

I think I have a bit of a bias against Blake Lively simply because I love Blair Waldorf with my whole heart, and I wish Leighton Meester's career had taken off the way Blake's did. I won't deny Blake is beautiful and pretty consistently well dressed, which isn't very hard when you're blond, thing, and attractive. But I really liked this look! The look was really glamorous and fit her so well. And frankly, I'm a sucker for a good train.

Priyanka Chopra is one of the most beautiful women in the world. Period. She could wear a paper bag and look phenomenal. This year, she decided to be a Byzantium priestess, wow she delivered. Her makeup and her headpiece was just insanely beautiful, much like the woman herself. Now I need a film with Priyanka as a priestess, or a goddess, or an empress. Any of those options or all of the above, please, I must have it.

One of my early reads of the year was Lily Collins' memoir. I've always liked her and was certainly charmed by her book. She has the most iconic eyebrows, and I always thinks she looks so beautiful and well dressed on the red carpet. This year, she was a goth weeping Mary, and it was wonderful. The way she holds her rosemary makes me think Sarah Michelle Gellar from Cruel Intentions rolled up for the celebration.

Men's fashion at the Met Gala can be SO BORING. There is more to the world than black tuxedos!! Fortunately, Chadwick Boseman proved that men without creativity are trash. Chadwick looked INCREDIBLE in this white suit, clearly ready to take over as the pope in case Rihanna is unable to perform her duties. This look was so impeccable, I will accept nothing less from any men on the red carpet ever again!

Of all the looks at the Met Gala, I think SZA's is the one I would want to wear the most. I am behind in discovering SZA's music, but I think she has a beautiful voice, and it's clear from this red carpet that she has the real making of a total star. She was an angel who descended down from Heaven to grace the red carpet with her present. She was the true picture of a celestial body, and I want to see her swaying in this gown while "All the Stars" plays in the background. This is the vibe I want to carry with me in 2018.

There were so many more good looks: Lena Waithe rocking a pride flag, Rosie Huntington-Whitely looking like an angel, Eiza Gonzalex looking like a sexy nun, Cassie and Diddy rocking a dual menswear, Janelle Monáe pulling consistently with the black and white, Katy Perry's giant angel wings, Amanda Seyfried's perfect Renaissance painting waves, Jasmine Sander's magnificent braid... I could really go on forever. VOGUE has an excellent round up of the red carpet if you want to see as many pictures as possible.

I love the Met Gala night, and I'm already excited for next year's theme and outfits! Can't wait to see what Rihanna (and I guess others...) do next!