Heavenly Bodies at the Met Gala

Always one of the best-dressed at the Met Gala, Rihanna took the Catholicism theme seriously. Wearing a Maison Margiela by John Galliano minidress and ornate robe, Rihanna topped off her look with a miter inspired by those worn by popes since the medieval era. Pope Paul VI is the last to have worn the papal tiara — a bejeweled, three-­tiered gold and silver number worth at least $15,000 — in 1963.

"Religion and spirituality has informed my work for my entire career, and fashion also, and combining the two is the perfect marriage," said the pop star whose name was taken from the holy mother. Shrouded in a black netfish veil, Madonna appeared in an all-black Jean Paul Gaultier piece topped off with a crown of crosses.

Along with US Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, co-chairs for the 2018 event included Rihanna, Amal Clooney and Donatella Versace. Wintour, seen here in the middle, arrived in a beaded off-white Chanel gown and a cross necklace alongside her daughter, Bee Shaffer.

The evening is considered the Oscars of the East Coast for its focus on the red carpet and what everyone is wearing. Inside the exhibition, that interest on clothing is just as great, though for other reasons. "Heavenly Bodies" includes couture garments from designers alongside the relics from the Catholic church which inspired them. Among those gowns on display are a few from co-chair Versace.

While the theme of the Met Gala is established to coincide with the exhibition being previewed, invitees are able to interpret them in any way they like. The chance to dress a celebrity for the red carpet is a career-making opportunity. Here, we see Jeremy Scott's take on imaginary Catholic fashion, in the form of a pearl-drenched gown worn by heavily pregnant rap star Cardi B.

Perhaps the most understatedly adorned among the invited guests was the New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who was asked to speak about the significance of the items on loan from the Vatican. Among the never-seen-outside-the-Vatican relics are 40 accessories or papal vestments tracing 15 papacies.

It's not all about the art at the Met Gala — there's entertainment, too. In 2017, the event saw singer Katy Perry take to the stage. This year, she grabbed attention on the red carpet with her angelic interpretation of the theme. With her six-foot wings spread, however, the pop star had to turn sideways to make it through the door.

There was no need for a cross in every building in New York — the A-list came adorned with the cross aplenty. Jennifer Lopez picked a vibrant Balmian number with a thigh-high slit and feathered train that accentuated the sequined cross cut-out on her chest.

An invite-only event, the Met Gala is a fundraiser for the museum's Costume Institute; in 2017, the one-night-only affair drew in $12 million for the Met despite being limited to just 550 guests. Those guests, however, are hand-picked by host Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of US Vogue. This year they included Paris Jackson, Stella McCartney and Miley Cyrus.