Latest news with #HeavenlyBodies:FashionandtheCatholicImagination
Vogue Singapore
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue Singapore
Proof that Pierpaolo Piccioli is already fluent in Balenciaga-isms
The fashion industry is united in acknowledging Cristóbal Balenciaga as a designer like no other. His technical prowess resulted in designs that became ever more flawless as time went on. Writing in 1967, the year the Spanish couturier retired, UPI reporter Aline Mosby put it this way: 'The clothes of Balenciaga…looked like an ironing board headed into the wind. It was that smooth look, every seam a masterpiece, the flat surfaces with hardly a dent to show even the bosom, the faultless construction, the hunched-over curve, that made Balenciaga—without question—the world's greatest living creator of women's clothing.' Pierpaolo Piccioli will be the fifth designer to pick up the great man's mantle, following Michel Goma, Nicolas Ghesquière, Alexander Wang, and Demna. The pairings below, which place the Italian designer's work next to that of Balenciaga, suggest he is well suited for the job. His joy in colour is grounded in designs that have rigour. Valentino, spring 2018 couture Marcus Tondo Gift wrapped: Stella Oakes in Cristóbal Balenciaga's white satin gown with a red taffeta bow. Cecil Beaton In a conversation earlier today, Piccioli recalled that the very first image he posted on Instagram was Balenciaga's famous wedding dress of 1967, a bias-cut oval of gazar and coal-scuttle hat that is a study in simple elegance and the manifestation of the couturier's belief that 'elegance is elimination.' Piccioli saw this marvel, which he describes as a 'masterpiece of the history of fashion,' on display in the Costume Institute's 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination' exhibition at The Met. Balenciaga, he said, is 'probably one of the first minimalists, and that dress, to me, is a manifesto of what Brancusi was saying: Simplicity is complexity resolved, which is also my manifesto when I work. So I resaw this post, and even if I'm not a fan of predestination, I felt there was something. Sometimes we have to go where, unaware, we are going already.' It certainly feels like Piccioli is embarking on a golden off-to-meet-the-Wizard moment. David Bailey 1 / 21 More than minimal: Cristóbal Balenciaga's silk gazar wedding ensemble Courtesy of Moncler 1 Pierpaolo Piccioli 2 / 21 Moncler x Pierpaolo Piccioli, fall 2018 ready-to-wear Yannis Vlamos 3 / 21 Valentino, fall 2018 couture Frances McLaughlin-Gill 4 / 21 From Cristóbal Balenciaga: 'Evening white swept with red.' White satin dress and red velvet stole Carl Erickson 5 / 21 Goya-inspired dresses by Cristóbal Balenciaga Courtesy of Valentino 6 / 21 Valentino, spring 2022 couture Courtesy of Valentino 7 / 21 Valentino, fall 2023 couture Irving Penn 8 / 21 A rose is a rose is a rose is a rose. Susan Murray wears Cristóbal Balenciaga's black crepe dinner dress with black gazar rose headdress Bettmann 9 / 21 Diana Vreeland with Cristóbal Balenciaga's famous one-seam coat Salvatore Dragone 10 / 21 Valentino, fall 2021 ready-to-wear Courtesy of Valentino 11 / 21 Valentino, spring 2024 couture John Rawlings 12 / 21 B is for bolero and balloon and Balenciaga Carl Erickson 13 / 21 Nineteenth-century-inspired looks by Cristóbal Balenciaga Courtesy of Moncler 14 / 21 Moncler x Pierpaolo Piccioli, fall 2019 ready-to-wear 15 / 21 Valentino, spring 2023 couture Intercontinetale 16 / 21 Cristóbal Balenciaga stripes it rich, 1955 Getty 17 / 21 Belle feather: Cristóbal Balenciaga's marabou-trimmed sheath, 1957 Salvatore Dragone 18 / 21 Valentino, fall 2021 ready-to-wear Courtesy of Balenciaga 19 / 21 Balenciaga by Demna, fall 2021 couture Clifford Coffin 20 / 21 She's the tops: A model wears Cristóbal Balenciaga's feathered hat Filippo Fior 21 / 21 Valentino, fall 2021 couture This article was first published on
Hans India
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Met Gala: A global runway, a cultural mirror, and Bharat's tryst with the blue carpet
Every year, on the first Monday of May, the grand marble steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City transform into a theatrical runway of fashion, fantasy, and fame. The Met Gala, the world's most-watched fashion fundraising event, is known for its extravagant costumes. It provides an opportunity for representatives from different countries to showcase their rich art, fashion, and cultural narratives. For Bharat—a civilization steeped in unique design sensibilities—the Met Gala offers both a stage and a question: Can we use this global platform to showcase our Bharatiya culture? Origins of the Met Gala The Met Gala, officially called the Costume Institute Benefit, was inaugurated in 1948 by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert. Initially a modest affair, it was conceptualized as a fundraiser for the newly founded Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Under the leadership of Vogue's formidable editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, from 1995 onwards, the Gala transformed into a global spectacle of celebrity glamour and fashion artistry. Wintour's vision turned the event into an annual theme-based pageant that fuses haute couture with cultural commentary. Understanding the Themes Each year, the Met Gala is anchored around a theme that coincides with the Costume Institute's annual exhibition. Themes such as Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination (2018), Camp: Notes on Fashion (2019), and In America: A Lexicon of Fashion (2021) have allowed designers to explore diverse narratives—from religion to satire, national identity to futuristic imagination. While the themes pose aesthetic challenges, they are also invitations to reinterpret, provoke, or pay homage to cultural ideas through the medium of fabric and design. Celebrities from Bharat at the Met: A Cultural Bridge? Celebrities from Bharat began making a serious mark on the Met Gala carpet in the last decade, signaling the country's growing soft power. From Priyanka Chopra Jonas to Deepika Padukone, and more recently Alia Bhatt, Natasha Poonawalla, and Isha Ambani, icons from Bharat are now regulars on this prestigious carpet. But why to participate? Firstly, the Met Gala offers unmatched global visibility. Celebrities attending the event make headlines not only in fashion media but also in cultural and political commentary. For stars from Bharat, it's a way to break through the Western pop culture barrier, claim visibility, and shape their global brand. Secondly, it is an opportunity to represent the fashion and craftsmanship heritage of Bharat. Whether through embroidery, draping, or jewelry, Bharat's design sensibilities are among the richest in the world. The Met Gala can be an ideal stage for showcasing this. Is the Bharatiya Craftsmanship represented? The Met Gala, originally a fundraiser for New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, has evolved into a global cultural event. The 2025 theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, celebrated Black fashion heritage and identity, featuring over 250 iconic pieces. While there was a significant rise in participation from Bharat—with Shah Rukh Khan, Kiara Advani, Diljit Dosanjh, and Isha Ambani showcasing style—it was still a poor representation of the country's craftsmanship and heritage on such a global platform. The Gala does not provide tangible benefits for Bharat, but it remains an opportunity to promote our intangible heritage. Most of the time, the only designers from Bharat seen on global platforms are Sabyasachi and Manish Malhotra. There is almost no spotlight on indigenous textiles, embroidery, fashion, and heritage. A notable exception at the recent Met Gala was the costume worn by Punjabi hitmaker Diljit Dosanjh, which paid homage to the Maharaja of Patiala—an embodiment of royal Bharatiya splendor. Another unnoted contribution from Bharat was the white base carpet beneath the blue carpet. It was woven by Extraweave, the parent company of Neytt, a luxury home furnishings brand based in Cherthala, Alappuzha, Kerala. The carpet was shipped in 57 rolls (each four metres by 30 metres), covering a total area of 6,840 square metres. It took 480 people over 90 days to complete the work to Met Gala standards. For the employees of this Cherthala-based brand, it was a moment of pride. 'A lot of care and effort have gone into the carpet. The entire team, across departments, worked together to create this beautiful piece of art,' said Sivan Santhosh, Director of Extraweave and CEO of Neytt. Although it was hand-painted by artists in New York, the white base carpet was woven from natural sisal fibre imported from Madagascar. Why It Matters ? l Global Attention: Handlooms and craftsmanship from Bharat get worldwide recognition. l Cultural Diplomacy: Celebrities become ambassadors of Bharatiya textile heritage. l Sustainability: Traditional weaving aligns with the global shift to ethical fashion. l Economic Upliftment: Promotes rural artisans and endangered crafts. Challenges l The Gala doesn't directly promote causes of Bharat unless efforts are intentional. l Western institutions rarely reciprocate by showcasing culture of Bharat. l Participation is often driven by personal branding, not cultural advocacy. Recommendations l Celebrities from Bharat should deliberately feature heritage weaves and craft narratives. l Government and cultural bodies can push for Bharat-themed exhibitions at global museums. l Collaborations with artisan clusters and textile councils can ensure authentic representation. (The writer is an Expert, Creative Economy)
Tatler Asia
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
The 9 wildest Met Gala themes of all time—ranked from couture chaos to sacred glam
2. Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination (2018) The vibe: Vatican chic. Gold leaf and guilt. Best described as: If Sunday Mass were directed by Baz Luhrmann Few themes have walked the sacred line between reverence and runway quite like this. The Met collaborated directly with the Vatican, lending artifacts that hadn't left Rome in centuries. But it was the red carpet that stole the show: Rihanna in papal robes, Zendaya as Joan of Arc, and Lana Del Rey crowned with a heart of thorns. It was reverent and irreverent all at once—fashion at its most divine. 3. Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology (2016) The vibe: Silicon Valley meets the House of Chanel Best described as: 'Siri, make it fashion' This tech-forward theme invited designers to fuse tradition with innovation. Claire Danes lit up the carpet—literally—in a fibre-optic Zac Posen gown. Zayn donned robot arms. Karolina Kurkova's dress, powered by IBM, changed colour based on social media feedback. For once, fashion out-coded the tech bros. 4. Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy (2008) The vibe: Comic Con, but make it Karl Lagerfeld Best described as: Capes, corsets and couture chaos Before the MCU took over the box office, the Met embraced comic book glam. Think metallics, armour, and unapologetically bold silhouettes. Beyoncé wore Mugler, Madonna channelled dominatrix energy in Givenchy, and the whole night felt like Gotham crossed with Paris Fashion Week. 5. Punk: Chaos to Couture (2013) The vibe: Leather, studs, and safety pins disguised as Swarovski Best described as: Anarchy meets Anna Wintour Few themes sparked as much confusion (and couture rebellion) as Punk. One of the Met's most divisive themes, Punk invited rebellion—but not everyone got the memo. Madonna understood the assignment in fishnets and no pants. Nicole Richie showed up in intergalactic silver hair. Others? Far too polished. Still, the night delivered drama, defiance, and just enough chaos to earn its name. 6. China: Through the Looking Glass (2015) The vibe: Cinematic opulence. Silk-robed fantasy. Best described as: A John Woo epic meets the House of Balmain Lavish, lush and controversial in all the ways fashion often is, this theme explored Chinese influence on Western design but sparked necessary conversations about cultural appropriation. Fortunately, many guests took care to honour Chinese artistry, including Rihanna, who shut down the internet in a majestic 55-pound yellow Guo Pei gown that took two years to make and an eternity to get over. See more: 22 memorable Met Gala beauty looks from the last decade, from Zendaya to Doja Cat 7. The House of Chanel (2005) The vibe: Tweed, pearls, and a lot of smug elegance Best described as: Coco's closet, with a guest list A rare tribute to a single fashion house, this Lagerfeld-approved gala was a monochrome fantasy. With Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld steering the ship, the evening was a crash course in Chanel codes: elegant, disciplined, and immaculately styled. 8. The Glory of Russian Costume (1976) The vibe: Romanov opulence meets disco-era excess Best described as: Fabergé egg energy with Studio 54 lighting Long before 'quiet luxury' became the buzzword du jour, the Met Gala went full imperial. Inspired by czarist grandeur and folkloric flair, this exhibit pulled from centuries of Russian court dress. Think brocade, sable, embroidery and gold that gleamed like onion domes in moonlight. Diana Vreeland, who curated the show, brought theatricality to every inch of it. The gowns? Maximalist. The jewels? Real. The vibes? Dynasty meets Dostoevsky. 9. AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion (2006) The vibe: Punk rebellion tucked under a tweed coat Best described as: Buckingham Palace meets Camden Market on a tipsy night out In true British fashion, AngloMania celebrated both the monarchy and the mayhem. The exhibit cheekily mashed up centuries of British style, from royal robes and Savile Row suits to tartan, latex, and safety pins, serving up tradition with a twist of anarchy. Vivienne Westwood's punk couture stood alongside stiff Edwardian corsets, while mannequins wore tiaras with leather harnesses like it was just another Tuesday in London. The red carpet had its share of pearl-clutching moments: designers pushed boundaries while celebrities played it slightly safe (though Sarah Jessica Parker's tartan Alexander McQueen moment remains unforgettable). A tribute to British irreverence, AngloMania showed us that fashion history doesn't have to be polite—it can be loud, weird and royally rebellious.
The National
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Met Gala hits and misses from the last decade, from Rihanna to Blake Lively
The Met Gala. These three words are enough to create a frenzy of anticipation for an event that happens every year on the first Monday of May and has become one of fashion's biggest, most over-the-top spectacles. Each year, the evening has a theme echoing the accompanying exhibition that the event serves as the opener for. And each year, stars arrive on the red carpet in looks that have taken weeks to come together and showcase the wearer's fashion savvy and understanding of themes that are deliberately oblique. However, for every look that draws applause, there is another that sparks an awkward silence for being wildly off topic. Here, we take a look at who is on each list. Heading this list is Rihanna, one of the undisputed stars of Met Gala red carpet dressing. Be it in 2018, dressed as the pope in custom Maison Margiela for Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, or in a sublime marigold gown by Gui Pei for 2015's China: Through the Looking Glass event, or as one of the few who understood the REI Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between theme of 2017, the singer is able to embrace any theme and make it her own. With her partner A$AP Rocky as co-chair for 2025, there is great excitement about what Rihanna will be wearing. Zendaya is another fixture on this list, and of the many looks she has rocked on the red carpet, the one that changed everything was in 2018, when she arrived dressed as Joan of Arc. Clad in Versace chain mail for the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination Met Gala, this was the moment that established Zendaya as a fashion force to be reckoned with. In 2022 Versace scored another goal, dressing Blake Lively in a patterned gown that flipped inside out, to reveal something entirely different underneath. With the theme of In America: An Anthology of Fashion, Lively was transformed into the ver de gris of the Statue of Liberty. That same year, Spanish singer Rosalia nailed the theme in Givenchy. Seemingly spun from sheer lace and diaphanous silk, the bias cut gown spilt off her shoulders, and made her look like one of the heiresses from a portrait by American artist John Singer Sargent. Also in Givenchy – but haute couture this time – was Kendall Jenner in 2021 in a look that was an update of something worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1964 film My Fair Lady. Givenchy famously dressed Hepburn for years. For the Met Gala however, the now sheer nude dress and gloves were scattered with crystals for an effect that was elegant, fragile and utterly beautiful. Always a fan of a big gown, Ariana Grande stepped out in Vera Wang, in 2018. A closer look at the strapless gown revealed it was covered in images from the Sistine Chapel, which was a clever interpretation of the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination theme. Claire Danes also embraced a full gown in 2016. For the Manus × Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology theme, she donned a gown by Zac Posen that was made with fibre optics and organza meaning that, like something from a fairy tale, it glowed in the dark. For 2024's Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, the model Amelia Gray Hamlin arrived in a mustard puffball dress that contained a plastic terrarium filled with purple roses and foliage. Doja Cat arrived at 2023's Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty with facial prosthetics that made her look like his cat, Choupette, complete with the ears on her hooded, crystal-studded Oscar de la Renta gown. Jared Leto also dressed as a giant cat that year, and then, as something of a repeat offender, turned up to the 2019 event Camp: Notes on Fashion in a red satin dress slung with crystals and a model of his own head. In 2021, the German singer-songwriter Kim Petras had a 'what was she thinking' moment when she chose a Collina Strada look, resplendent with a horse head on the bodice for In America: A Lexicon of Fashion. In 2019, meanwhile, US YouTuber Liza Koshy wore a bizarrely shaped pink dress by Balmain, covered in huge stitching for the Camp: Notes on Fashion evening. While clearly not Balmain's best moment, Koshy treated it with good humour, calling it her 'pink poptart dream boat' and taking to social media to declare to her followers: 'If you recreate this look using whatever you have at home, I will repost you.' In 2019 actor Michael Urie wore a half tuxedo/half dress by Christian Siriano, that was – frankly - hideous. Theatre actress J Harrison Ghee turned up at the 2024 Sleeping Beauty: Reawakening Fashion Met Gala dressed as a giant pink and green insect, with gold antenna, while Kylie Jenner went the lazy route and wore a bridal gown, T-shirt and backward baseball cap for In America: An Anthology of Fashion in 2022. Katy Perry, meanwhile, is a regular on worst Met Gala looks lists. Her willingness to not take herself serious is commendable, and she clearly has a good sense of humour, but her choices have been questionable to put it mildly. She has, in no particular order, dressed as a hamburger, a chandelier and an angel with five foot wide gold, feathered wings.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
What is the Met Gala and why is it so important for the fashion world?
In the glittering world of fashion, no event commands as much global attention, anticipation, and artistic display as the Met Gala. Dubbed 'fashion's biggest night out,' the Met Gala is more than a red carpet - it's a cultural phenomenon that merges the highest expressions of fashion, celebrity, and art. Held annually in New York City, this event is a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute and serves as the grand opening of its annual fashion exhibition. But over the years, it has evolved far beyond a charitable soirée into a global spectacle that defines trends, celebrates creativity, and elevates designers to stardom. Origins of the Met Gala The Met Gala, formally known as the Costume Institute Benefit, was first established in 1948 by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert as a means to raise money for the newly founded Costume Institute. In its early years, the gala was a relatively modest affair attended mostly by New York's high society. However, it underwent a dramatic transformation in the 1990s and 2000s, largely due to the influence of Anna Wintour , editor-in-chief of Vogue and the event's long-time chairperson. Under Wintour's leadership, the Met Gala became the ultimate fashion playground, a space where boundaries could be pushed, and bold artistic visions could unfold under the global spotlight. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Just two years old and diagnosed with cancer—help save her! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo When and where it happens The Met Gala is held every first Monday in May at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The star-studded red carpet takes place on the steps of the museum, while the gala itself is an exclusive, invite-only dinner inside the museum's halls. Attendance is tightly controlled, with an elite guest list of celebrities, fashion designers, supermodels, artists, and cultural influencers who are chosen by Wintour and Vogue. The theme: Heart of the spectacle What makes the Met Gala uniquely exciting is its annual theme, which ties into the Costume Institute's new fashion exhibition. Each year, attendees are expected to interpret the theme through their outfits - leading to jaw-dropping, innovative, and often theatrical fashion statements. 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination' (2018) 'Camp: Notes on Fashion' (2019) 'China: Through the Looking Glass' (2015) 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion' (2021) "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" (2022) "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" (2023) "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" (2024) The theme serves as both inspiration and challenge - asking designers and celebrities to blend fashion with storytelling, culture, history, and art. It is this thematic approach that differentiates the Met Gala from any other red carpet event in the world. Why the Met Gala matters to fashion A global fashion stage The Met Gala is arguably the most-watched fashion event globally. While traditional fashion weeks focus on designers showcasing their seasonal collections, the Met Gala gives them a chance to create one-off masterpieces, often working closely with celebrities. These outfits are not meant for retail but for cultural commentary - pushing the boundaries of what fashion can be. Launchpad for designers Many young or emerging designers have had their careers catapulted by a Met Gala appearance. Dressing an A-list star for the Met is the equivalent of scoring a billboard in Times Square - only with far more creative freedom. Designers like Christopher John Rogers, Marine Serre , and Halpern gained international attention after their Met Gala debut. Cultural commentary through clothing Unlike most red carpets, where celebrities play it safe in couture gowns, the Met Gala allows and even expects experimentation. Fashion becomes a tool for storytelling, political commentary, and personal expression. Think Rihanna in a pope-inspired Margiela cape, Zendaya's Cinderella moment with glowing gown and carriage, or Billie Eilish in an ode to Marilyn Monroe - these are not just outfits, but performances. Blurring the line between fashion and art The Met Gala elevates fashion into the realm of fine art. The red carpet is treated much like a museum exhibit, and fashion is discussed in the same breath as painting or sculpture. In fact, the Costume Institute itself is the only department of the Met that must fund itself, making the gala vital not just for fashion's popularity, but for its preservation as an art form. Trendsetting and Influence What debuts on the Met Gala red carpet often trickles down into mainstream fashion over time. Whether it's silhouettes, colours, fabrics, or even hair and makeup trends, the event sets the tone for the months to follow. Designers, stylists, influencers, and brands around the world watch closely to see what themes and aesthetics take centre stage. The Price of admission The Met Gala's exclusivity adds to its mystique. A single ticket reportedly costs around $50,000 (approximately ₹41.75 lakh), while entire tables start at over $300,000 (around ₹2.5 crore). But the money goes directly to the Costume Institute, which relies on the gala for the bulk of its funding. In 2023 alone, the gala reportedly raised over $22 million (nearly ₹183 crore). The Shoes That Shocked the Vatican: Pope Francis' Style Explained Celebrities don't usually pay for their tickets - instead, they're invited by brands who sponsor a table and dress them in custom looks. This synergy of marketing, design, and celebrity makes the Met Gala a high-stakes game for exposure and influence. Criticism and controversy While celebrated, the Met Gala is not without its critics. Some have argued it represents the excess and elitism of the fashion industry. Others point out the lack of diversity in guest lists or question whether the event is out of touch with global realities, especially in times of crisis. There have also been instances where the themes sparked backlash. The 2018 "Heavenly Bodies" theme, for example, was criticised for allegedly appropriating sacred Catholic symbols. Similarly, the "China: Through the Looking Glass" theme raised concerns about Orientalism and the portrayal of Asian cultures. However, these conversations also indicate the growing cultural relevance of fashion and the role of the Met Gala in sparking dialogue - even if uncomfortable. Fashion's night of dreams For the fashion industry, the Met Gala is more than a red carpet or party - it is a cultural mirror reflecting how art, identity, politics, and beauty intertwine. It challenges creative minds to think beyond trend cycles and instead engage with deeper meaning and conceptual vision. Whether you're a fashion designer seeking inspiration, a stylist hunting for the next big thing, or simply a fan of fashion's theatrical side, the Met Gala is the ultimate showcase of the industry's imagination, craft, and glamour. The Met Gala may be one night a year, but its impact is felt for months, if not years, after. It redefines beauty standards, launches fashion movements, and reminds the world that clothing is far more than fabric: it's a language, a statement, and, at its finest, a form of art. And that's precisely why the Met Gala matters, not just to fashion insiders, but to the world at large. Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
