It felt like this year’s Met Gala sort of came and went. I can’t even recall this year’s theme from memory, but I remember that Idris Elba was there and Taylor Swift was not. The theme was something about Katy Perry? No, it was… Comme des Garçons. Now I remember. Some years, the theme is incredibly memorable and some years the theme is ignored and everybody just wears whatever they want, which is mostly what happened this year. But what happens when the Met Gala theme is something a bit more controversial, a bit more hot-button? I wonder. Sources tell Women’s Wear Daily that next year’s Met Gala theme could be… religion!
In these politically charged times, it appears that the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute isn’t afraid to take on its own controversial topics. Fashion and religion will be the theme of next year’s major exhibition, according to multiple sources, including a few who said they have been privy to preliminary discussions. A Met spokeswoman declined to comment Friday.
With the May opening still many months away, the planning is still in the very early stages. Sources describe the project as serious and ambitious, and it is understood the idea was hatched long before the current “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: The Art of the In-Between” show, slated to close Sept. 4. A host of European designers have referenced religion in their collections, including the likes of Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano and Riccardo Tisci. The likeness of the Madonna has been appropriated by Dolce & Gabbana, and the iconography of Jesus has been featured in Jeremy Scott’s collection. Prabal Gurung once brought Buddhist monks to his runway.
While there’s a lot of meat on that particular bone, I am worried that people will just grab a Dolce & Gabbana dress and be done with it. And I’m particularly upset with the idea of celebrating Dolce & Gabbana right at this moment, as they’ve been leaning into some very outdated anti-LGBTQ language, plus they seem to want to stir controversy for dressing Melania Trump (no one cares, D&G). But WWD is right – it’s not like Dolce and Gabbana are the only designers to ever embrace religion or religious iconography. If this is the theme, I hope it’s not limited to fashion and Christianity – Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, etc should also be well-represented too. I want to see people dressed as rabbis, nuns, imams and more at the Met Gala. Let’s make it happen!
Photos courtesy of WENN.
This could get offensive real fast…
Thinking the same thing.
What could go wrong with a bunch of celebs that aren’t the most self-aware doing this theme? /s
Thematically, it’s awfully broad; think they’ll refine it over the next few months. At least Madonna can dust off a sexy nun outfit she’s been saving just for the occasion.
Madonna is going to be ALL OVER this!
I couldn’t get with the cross trend, it just felt so “mean”. I shudder to think of cultural approbation that’s sure to follow.
Agree. It’s just a very bad idea considering how easy it would be to unintentionally offend an entire group of people of fill-in-the-blank religion. Honestly, religion AS fashion is already offensive to many.
The gala actually is no longer welcome at The Met – after all the celebrities were smoking inside the museum – even if it was the bathroom – the Met banned Anna and the event permanently from the museum grounds. Not quite sure where they plan to host it, but The Met part in its name means nothing now.
The Gala is a HUGE fundraiser for The Costume Institute, which is part of the Met. So “Met” will always be part of the name.
“The fashion industry funds the work of The Costume Institute, including its exhibitions, acquisitions, and capital improvements. Each May, the annual Gala Benefit, its primary fund-raising event, celebrates the opening of the spring exhibition. “–from metmuseum.org
I’m already seeing it.
I find meshing religious iconography into fashion deeply uncomfortable. I think it can easily turn into cultural appropriation. Like you just know some non-Hindu will wear a bindi, even in 2017, when this has been discussed over and over. And being Catholic, I don’t find the use of Catholic iconography all that amusing either.
Thank you for saying that. I completely agree. Do they honestly think this would not be offensive to some people? Choose something better, please.
Methinks they want to be talked about.
Agree. It is the definition of cultural appropriation and religious appropriation. There’s nothing good about this ever.
FWIW the fashion bindis are different from the red dot bindis.
I know you’re using it as an example. But the fashion bindis are just style.
Stocking up on popcorn now. I can only imagine how some people will misinterpret the theme and decide to wear something so outrageous. The comments will be epic
I saw a pregnant nun’s costume at Party City a few years ago.
That is tame compared to what some celebrities will decide to wear. Imagine what Kim Kardashian might wear? Hot mess does not even begin to describe what this gala will be like
I wonder if KK will suddenly rediscover her Armenian heritage? She could dress as one of the rare Armenian Apostolic Church nuns, or an ordained acolyte, but I doubt their clothing – beautiful as it is – will be revealing and sexy enough for her.
Me? Well, I’ll wear either my favourite black jeans or my beautiful old tartan trousers, a Bad Religion tee shirt, and I’ll even wear leather boots, rather than skate shoes.
I already know it is going to be a mess.
Yeah, no. Between “Confederate” and this silliness – both ideas seems superficial and faux “deep” and not meant to actually raise questions about assumptions but to reinforce them. Blech.
Exactly. I could see the theme as an interesting college thesis topic maybe but not in the hands of the celeb set.
“Stuff? What you call “stuff” …..The people in this room chose that religion for you, Andrea.”
Lol. Excellent The Devil Wears Prada reference. 😂
🙂
Everyone’s publicists have 9 months from now to draft their apology statements, then. No way every guest handles this sensitively.
They’ll probably just go the usual “I’m sorry if anyone was offended” route.
Madonna should be in her element then. Wasn’t her early career based entirely on using religious imagery, fashion, sex and music to make her stand out and start building her empire? If this theme happens. I think it will be another exercise in who can offend the most people to get the most attention.
Yes, absolutely. Even her name fits! Although I’m pretty sure that is her real name.
her real name is Louise ciccone
She is named after her mother: Madonna Louise Ciccone. So Madonna is her real name.
Religion and fashion do not mix well. Priests, nuns, rabbis, Buddhist monks etc. take offense in people wearing their uniforms to make a fashion statement. It is very disrespectful to them as nobody likes to be mocked and made fun of. Madonna was heavily criticized in the early 90’s for her use of religious imagery. There are so many themes that can be used why do they have to go that way.
In the ’90s? LOL Madonna’s last tour was filled with it. She never stops with it, like she’s run out of ideas. Well, she has run out of creative ideas. But now her use of it really is just for shock, no real purpose mixed in with it. I at least felt she was trying to say something back in her heyday a lot of the time.
Nah…I better not see anyone running around with a hijab for ‘fashion’ when actual Muslim women can’t practise that part of their religion in some places. There might be a tasteful way of incorporating religion and fashion, but I doubt that will be the case if this the actual theme.
Why did you not mention the many women forced to wear the hijab?
And many muslim countries have forbidden it as oppressive.
Because most conversation concerning the hijab always talk about ‘liberating’ women from it, taking away the agency of the women who choose to wear it? You don’t have to lecture me, a Muslim woman, on people being forced to wear a hijab. I am very aware, and very against it. Some women are forced to wear it, others choose to. How would a celebrity wearing it as ‘fashion’ at the Met Gala help either?
Like I said, there could be tasteful ways of doing this theme-this is an example of something that wouldn’t be.
Actually this could be an amazing moment for representing the many different facets of Islamic fashion. The hijab has been such a magnet for hatred in recent years and I think this could be very positive. Plus there is some fabulous religious iconography in lots of different fashion lines. I like this! Lots of room for missteps though!
There are certainly a few potential MG-guests who could do amazing things with that theme – and then there is the almost nacked v*gin*-flashing gang.
I’d put a tenner on Bella Hadid wearing nothing but a rosary around the waist, with the end dangling strategically in the crotch area.
This whole Met Gala thing is just tedious at this point. It’s just an excuse for Nuclear Wintour and Co to decide who’s popular and who’s not at the moment, very much like high school.
Think it’d be better all around if the Gala were held every other year.
Yeah plus all the celebs that publicly state how terrible it is and how above they are of such a vapid event and then go anyway each year.
I agree that Met gala is useless, but i think this may be good idea for several reasons.
I am against religion as in no church or god should be able to tell me how to live cos gods do not judge based on your clothes. People do. Every holy book is rather simple and it teaches us basic moral values, the rest is just pr.
I don’t believe in religion. I do believe in good and in positive energy. I believe in nature but symbols are just like accessories. Ok, i know people will disagree but life without organized religion would be easier imo…
+1 Milla!
Maybe we’ll see someone walking around in full cosplay slinging a bell and saying “Shame. Shame. “
If people hadn’t challenged conservative religious thinking, practises and dress, we’d all still be living in the dark ages.
Let them have at it.
Yes
Agree LAK! A short dress with small and cute caricatures of prophet Mohammed would be so cool.
It really wouldn’t be
*facepalm*
Just no, Milka. Islam is not a fashion DIY project.
@ Milla B You’re kidding, right?
@LAK it is one thing to challenge and make some sort of fashion commentary on the religious mores of ones own culture, it is quite another to appropriate from a religion one is ignorant of (outside of racist stereotypes that serve white supremacy).
This is a controversial choice but on a pure strategy point of view, it’s great publicity. Especially coming out of year that everyone already forgot.
This will be terrible. And im not talking bad dresses.
Which one of the usual suspects will show up in a sheer garment with sequins in the shape of a crucifix over her crotch?
Kim K would be my first first pick. But she may decide to let little sister Kylie to represent the family
I call Bella for the sheer dress with the cross. Horizontal bar over the nips, vertical covering the bits.
Kendall and Kylie will attend in a jesus tshirt with their faces super imposed.
LOL
Beyonce.
I would bet actual money that someone will wear a niqab that reaches the hips and the legs are only covered by fishnets.
That’s already been done in fashion. Except the bottom half was left completely bare. Full bush. I can’t remember which designer. One of the more avant garde designers. Everyone just shrugged at the time.
And here I was thinking my offensiveness was original. SAD.
I really dont like the idea of people dressing up like other religious figures. Its uncomfortable to see someone playing dress up with a rabbi “outfit” or an Imam “costume” This is going to go offensive so fast
As long as some white clueless bimbo doesn’t paint her face black and enter as Kali, it’s fine.
Also So many angel / demon Christianity themed books, even the city of glass series use Kali as a demoness ! Like read wikipidea before writing these books.
Anna Wintour dressed as an Amish matron…
I was raised Pentecostal and we had a certain style of dress. Long hair in a 60’s beehive and long dresses. As an adult I attended a non denominational church with an African American pastor. AA women wear white on First Sunday and big hats. They also wear African style dresses and hats that are gorgeous. Beyonce and Solange could really represent.
The Duggars are fundamental Baptist and wear long denim skirts, long shirts and long curly hair.
The FLDS women wear prairie dresses.
If you put some thought into it, it could be a very interesting Gala. But most of them won’t. It will be a trashy mockery of religion.
The Met Gala usually has a pretty specific and nuanced theme, but of course it always ends up being simplified by the press and most attendees. Think of last years Manus x Machinus theme that got turned into ‘dress like a sexy robot’ by most people.
I’m sure the actual theme will be more involved than simply ‘fashion and religion’, but I expect a lot of people will, as you say, just reach for D&G or a crucifix.
Donning a costume is, by definition, appropriation.
Wearing a costume is playing pretend.
Appropriation depends on the costume and the wearer. Blackface, for example, is not ok.
OTOH, I’m pretty sure Santa, firemen, princesses, mermaids, the minions, the ghostbusters (&etc) don’t really mind being playacted by children (or adults).
That made me giggle.
even if it was not offensive to each religion’s faithful, I do not like to see such a controversial subject in the hands of a few Instagram models and other B-List celebrities, which is what the Met Gala has become. Nobody puts any thought into the outfit more than ‘ I do not like to look foolish’ and in some cases, ‘ I like to be as naked as possible’.
There will be no deep thinking no lawyered arguments.
This. I’m all about freedom of expression but given the current global climate, this feels like putting dynamite in the hands of a toddler.
Or, you know, giving Emperor Baby Fists the nuclear codes.
No, enough with religion already.
Lazy, unoriginal and outdated
Just what i expect when I hear anything with D&G involvement.
I’m really tired of this “level of respect” that must be paid to make believe used to treat human struggle and mental illness. If you believe in this fantasy then yes I think you need to see a real mental health professional and not hide in global, organized hysteria. It’s like the “targeted individual” people. We need to respect people, absolutely…because unfortunately some people, specifically brown people are seen as their religion before they’re seen as people, which has always been problematic. Religion is intriguing in the way Game of Thrones is, and I look forward to the beautiful imagery associated with it. I don’t suffer fools and I cannot bear going through some “Madonna is dressed like a nun, it’s the end of the world” ish.
Oh dear, Madonna will be dragging a crucifix up the grand staircase. I can see it now. And the other half of the attendees will ignore the theme.
Dangerous territory. I’m on the fence. Religion is sacred, it’s true. I take my own religious beliefs seriously. However, I consider art fashion – I’m a jeans and t-shirt girl, but my son and I LOVE going to the local bridal/pageant shop just to look at the dresses in the window, pick out our favorite and tell each other why we like that one best. And art and religion have been used together forever, so … as long as people keep it respectful (doubt it though)
The Met banned the event from being on museum property because of the celebrity smoking fiasco (donors/chair members were PISSED)
I was glad they did – the behavior last year was just disgusting. More freshman college party than prestigious cultural event.
I’ve never been huge into fashion, but I love art, and the Met Gala used to be one of those events that I thought would be amazing to attend because it is (was) a celebration of fashion as art.
After the past few years? Nope. There’s nothing glamorous about it anymore. They should just move it to the Playboy Mansion and call it a day.
Years ago, I went to a party with the theme “Mormon Missionaries and Catholic Schoolgirls.” It was, without a doubt, offensive. It was also a lot of fun as people went all-out with the theme. Highlights included a woman dressed as a pope and all of her nuns were gay men in drag. Slutty Mormon missionaries (You know, the young guys who ride around in the white shirts and black suits? Well, cross that with a Chippendale dancer). Lots of guys dressed as slutty Catholic schoolgirls
It was one of the best parties I’ve ever attended. It was also sacrilegious to the nth degree.
In short: There’s no way this theme ends well.
Nope Nope Nope.