Met Gala 2018: The good, the bad, and… WTF?

The Costume Institute's Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination exhibit put forward some unforgettable looks.

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The Met Gala, the annual charity ball benefiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York, is pretty much another excuse for celebrities to dress up. But in high fashion and as intricately as humanly possible; it is for Costume Institute after all. This is the only time before Halloween that finding that tricky balance between looking ridiculous and brilliant, is essential.

Tickets for this year's Met Gala—themed around the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination exhibit—were priced at USD30,000 per head and USD275,000 per table. Which really is a wonder why, at that hefty a price tag for entry, there are celebrities that turned up looking nothing remotely heavenly. Must be there for the food and entertainment, we reckon?

The Gods, They’re Laughing Because WTF?

Truth be told, most that fall into this category took the theme to heart. And while not all risks pan out as hoped, at least they can't be blamed for being safe and boring.

[Jaden Smith in Louis Vuitton] This cool kid brought along a tuft of his own hair last year. This year, he turned up with an even curiouser accessory—his gold certification plaque for his song ‘Icon’. Self-promotion at a charity event? That’s just tacky.
[Nga Nguyen in Ly Qui Khanh] We’re not quite sure if she’s the devil incarnate and those crosses are supposed to protect us from her wrath. Or she was busy baking cookies. Either way, Meat Loaf has just found his cover for a fourth Bat Out Of Hell album.
[Sarah Jessica Parker in Dolce&Gabbana] This headpiece, especially to an Asian, resembles a gilded Buddhist temple from afar. It’s mostly because of that intense yellow gold and pagoda silhouette. To be fair, it’s an incredibly ornate interpretation of the nativity scene.
[Jeremy Scott in Moschino] Cardi B might be getting some flack for “copying” an unforgettable Beyoncé look, but she does look rather stunning. Designer Jeremy Scott however looks like he’s trying to channel Freddie Mercury, an Indian Maharaja and Elton John all at once. In other words, a mess.

Paid And Was There To Eat

It's usually the men who play it safe and fall back into the traditional black tie ensemble. The theme this year is especially tough for those who don't fancy embellishments and trimmings. But if the usually very subtle Trevor Noah gave it a go—we're plesantly surprised—there shouldn't be any excuse.

[Donald Glover in Gucci] He’s on a career high with ‘This is America’ but Donald Glover could’ve at least worn a cross or two. Or is this outfit a social commentary? Hmm… There's an embroidered Eye of Providence at the back of this Gucci suit. Redeemed!
[Justin Theroux in Louis Vuitton] A clerical collar and that's it. Basically, the dad from 7th Heaven.
[Shawn Mendes in Tommy Hilfiger] It's a great colour and the proportions are modern. This suit could've been worn to the Grammys and Shawn Mendes would be on the best-dressed list. Nothing special for the Mat Gala though.

High Praises

The ones who made carefully thought out style moves in accordance to the theme, were mighty in the end. There were tasteful homages and breathtaking surprises that all managed to impress.

[Chadwick Boseman in Atelier Versace] Quite possibly the standout men’s look for Met Gala 2018. The use of gold, tasteful and calculated use of embroidery, and a papal-like cape at the right length, Chadwick Boseman is winning 2018 so far.
[Helen Lasichanh and Pharrell Williams in Chanel] The men who didn’t bother trying should’ve taken a page out of Pharrell’s style book—accessorise. Then again, only Pharrell can pile on the ornaments without looking like a Christmas tree.
[Alessandro Michele, Lana Del Rey and Jared Leto in Gucci] Basically high fashion Jesus, Eve and Adam.
[Katy Perry in Atelier Versace] We’re quite surprised that Katy Perry was the only one that turned up with angel wings. But the Atelier Versace look is so divine that anyone else who tried would’ve paled in comparison.
[Jean Paul Gaultier and Madonna in Jean Paul Gaultier] How does Madonna stay so energetic and youthful? She tasks dark priest Jean Paul Gaultier to look for unsuspecting youths she can draw blood from. Fashion and characterisation gold though.
[Rihanna in Maison Margiela] Have the rules changed? Are we allowed to have a female pope now? Because this somehow makes sense. We’re sure Pope Francis (silently) approves too; he’s a cool dude after all.

All images by Getty.