The Met Gala's 2018 Theme May Be Controversial

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Photo credit: Getty Images

From Harper's BAZAAR

It's officially that time again: fashion's biggest night of the year-the Met Gala-is just weeks away.

Always delivering the most show-stopping red carpet fashion, this year's Met Gala will be a religious event-quite literally-as the theme of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's next Costume Institute exhibit is, "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination."

Yes, the 2018 Met Gala will be tackling the influence of Catholicism in fashion-which is sure to stir up some controversy on the red carpet.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

The "Heavenly Bodies" exhibition has, however, received the official stamp of approval from the Vatican. In fact, along with over 150 designer pieces, the Costume Institute's next big exhibit will also include 50 garments and accessories loaned from the Vatican. Other brands featured include Dolce & Gabbana and Versace, both of which have a history of using religious undertones in their designs, and more unexpected inclusions like Chanel and Valentino.

"We know it could be controversial for right wing or conservative Catholics and for liberal Catholics," head curator Andrew Bolton told the New York Times. But, he clarified that the exhibit focuses "on a shared hypothesis about what we call the Catholic imagination and the way it has engaged artists and designers and shaped their approach to creativity, as opposed to any kind of theology or sociology."

Though its unclear exactly how A-list attendees will navigate this year's tricky theme on the red carpet, expect to see plenty of symbolic religious undertones and perhaps, even a few bold statements on religion. Rihanna, Amal Clooney and Donatella Versace will be co-hosting this year's Met Gala-which already guarantees some pretty epic red carpet moments to come.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

When it comes to dressing for Met Gala themes, Rihanna knows best. Last year, the singer won the red carpet in an avant-garde Rei Kawakubo-designed look that was also featured in the exhibition for "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between." Before that, she stole the show at the 2015 "China Through The Looking Glass" theme in an incredibly ornate yellow gown by Chinese couturier Guo Pei.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

Despite consistently killing it on the Met Gala red carpet, this is the first time Rihanna will be co-hosting the event. This will also be Amal Clooney's first time hosting the event. Last year, Katy Perry and Pharrell Williams served as co-chairs for the Rei Kawakubo-themed Met Gala.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

While a list of official celebrity attendees has yet to be confirmed, expect to see regular attendees including Sarah Jessica Parker, Madonna, Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian West (who's currently cleansing for the occasion), Kendall Jenner, Gigi and Bella Hadid and hopefully a Beyoncé appearance.

The 2018 Met Gala will take place on May 7 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

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