Madonna will be in her element! 'Fashion and religion' is revealed as the theme for 2018's Met Gala
- Neither Vogue nor the Metropolitan Museum of Art has officially confirmed the rumored theme for this year's event
- The Met Gala introduces a new fashion exhibit put on by the Costume Institute
- Past themes have included Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons in 2017, and Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology in 2016
It's still nearly a year away, but the 2018 Met Gala already has its theme: Fashion and Religion.
While neither Vogue nor the Metropolitan Museum of Art has officially confirmed the theme, several sources revealed the choice to WWD.
In addition to serving as the inspiration for the outfits worn by attendees at the star-studded event, the theme also determines what will be on display in the Costume Institute's annual exhibit inside the museum.
Madge, get planning! The theme for the 2018 Met Gala has been revealed as Fashion and Religion
Going all the way: Theatrical stars like Rihanna (pictured at the Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons Met Gala in 2017) really commit to the theme
Every year since 1971, a team from Vogue and the Costume Institute choose a theme for the limited exhibit, which takes months to prepare.
The exhibits are often quite popular draws at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, with recent titles including Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons in 2017, Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology in 2016, and China: Through the Looking Glass in 2015.
In fact, 2016's Manus x Machina exhibit was the museum's seventh most-visited show of all time, with 752,995 visitors. And 2015's China: Through the Looking Glass was the fifth most-visited, with 815,992 visitors.
The only exhibits to beat the latter were Treasures of Tutankhamen in 1978, the visit of the Mona Lisa in 1963, The Vatican Collections: The Papacy and Art in 1983, and Painters in Paris: 1895-1950 in 1990.
While guests at the gala are free to wear whatever formalwear they like, many committed fashion fans adhere to the theme, picking designs by the honored designer or garments that fit a certain aesthetic — which is why 2018's gala is sure to be interesting.
Fashion as art: The gala kicks off a new exhibit by the Costume Institute at the Met
More theatrical stars like Rihanna, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Madonna have been known to stick to the theme in particular — and several of them are sure to throw themselves into 'Fashion and Religion'.
Madonna, in particular, is famous for incorporating Catholic symbolism and iconography in her songs, music videos, and outfit choices, while Katy Perry and Lady Gaga have also been vocal about both faith and fashion.
They'll have plenty to choose from, too, with several major designers weaving religious symbols into their collections.
Dolce & Gabbana, in particular, often pays homage to Christianity, and there was no shortage of crosses or Jesus artwork in their most recent collection.
In 2017 and 2016 collections alone, Dolce & Gabbana, Jeremy Scott, Christopher Kane, Fausto Puglisi, House of Holland, and Xuly.Bët all referenced Christianity.
Dolce & Gabbana also debuted hijabs and abayas in 2016, while Muslim newcomer Anniesa Hasibuan sent all her models down the runway in September 2016.
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