The Met Gala first used the theme “Heavenly Bodies” in 2018.
“Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” was the title of the Costume Institute exhibition presented at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and additional locations. It examined how Catholic imagery, vestments and ideas influenced fashion designers.
The exhibition included garments and accessories shown alongside religious art and objects from the museum’s holdings. Its extensive presentation made it one of the Costume Institute’s largest and most geographically spread exhibitions.
The phrase is often shortened to “Heavenly Bodies,” but the full exhibition title is important because it identifies the subject as fashion’s relationship with the Catholic imagination. The 2018 gala opened the exhibition.