To ask your views on the met gala theme?

[MyOtherUsernameisaPun]

I've just had a look at the outfits and while the theme - Catholicism - was amazing fashion wise and tied in with exhibitions on papal clothing currently at the Met, I've also seen a lot of criticism on the basis that it was insensitive and appropropriative.

On the one hand, I christians generally are not persecuted in the US and so the power dynamic is not one of oppression. But it wasn't long ago that Catholics specifically were discriminated against. And Catholics in some places worldwide face terrible persecution for their faith and have to hide it for their whole lives. Also, I feel like if the theme had been another religion, it would have seemed very inappropriate.

What do others think about it? I'm not catholic so it's not my fight - and the Pope doesn't seem to have objected! But I'd be interested to know what the general consensus is!

The theme was Heavenly Bodies I thought?

I thought the prevalence of religious inspired outfits was a little bit of an obvious interpretation. I almost hoped that Madonna would arrive dressed as Saturn.

I did think Amal looked awesome.

TSS Madonna dressed as ‘Saturn’ now that I would like to see

It doesn't quite sit right with me. With all the arguments on cultural appropriation going on at the moment I think this might inflame the situation from a religious perspective.

"My religion isn't your goddamn gala costume" etc etc..

Mortalie the thing is I don’t think the Catholic Church will feel the need to raise more than a “tut” at the silliness of the outfits.

Rihanna, talented woman that she is, looked utterly fucking ridiculous as the Pope. She disappointed me by not going as Venus diMilo.

If I was the Pope I wouldn’t be able to raise more than a laugh at the papers this morning.

Come to think of it if I was the Pope, there’d be quite a lot of historical atrocities wreaked by the Catholic church on my urgent “to do” list to address and redress this morning.

I don’t know about it being appropriation but certainly the outfits were vile and ridiculous.

I thought some of the gowns were absolutely incredible, and Catholic iconography is an ideal inspiration for lavish over the top garments. It's a theme that most designers have explored through the years.
Some gowns even used literal Sacred Heart images, which I though was fabulous.
Designers know what buttons to push (colour, embellishment, iconography, shape, silhouette) and what to leave alone!
IMO Rihanna's headpiece was the least successful outfit I saw. Probs to Cardi B for wearing heels and a massive heavy dress while pregnant! I hope she got to change quite quickly after the red carpet!

The title was also a little more specific towards Catholicism rather than celestial bodies...

"Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination"

You are right though TTS the catholic church won't be too bothered about it.

KitanaKay Just to clarify, I don't think its appropriation either but feel, as with may other things that aren't, it may be interpreted as such due to recent controversy surrounding cultural appropriation at the moment.

I agree with @Mortallie

I was raised a Catholic. I haven't been a practicing Catholic since I was old enough to make my own choices but I still felt that it was a complete insult that SJP decided to wear the nativity scene on her head.

I am surprised in this age of cultural appropriation that it was considered appropriate. Particularly given Northern America’s WASP roots and really quite recent poor treatment of Catholics (primarily Italian/Irish immigrants) but what do I know!

I am in two minds. On one hand it would inspire some fantastic and ridiculous outfits. On the other hand, it does produce a slight feeling of I doubt it would be possible to have islam or native people as a theme without there being a major outrage. On a third hand, it is a load of rich show offs that should not be given any more attention that they don't deserve.

This is brilliant! I haven't seen any pictures, but I am hugely enjoying the descriptions 😂 Rhianna as the pope, Sjp with a nativity scene on her head??? For real?? Crazy rich folk will wear anything and call it fashion. I think the actual pictures would pale in comparison to the mental images I have. Please, tell me more!! (I'm Catholic btw, on behalf of my people, we're not offended. Go in peace✌️)

I thought the best outfit of the night was Lena Waithe's rainbow cape.

*Disclaimer. By "my people" I actually meant the people in my house. Not all catholics everywhere.

The theme was Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, so much broader than “Catholicism”.

I’m of the perspective that religions should not be protected entities. The right to practice them, certainly, but the religions themselves, absolutely not. They should be subject to criticism and commentary, whatever form that takes.

The Catholic Church should be more concerned about the rampant sexual abuse which they have been concealing for decades, but they seem unfazed about that, so I doubt this will get their hackles up. As for Christian adherents, oh well. Their right to practice Christianity is protected, Christianity itself is not.

Why is it any more implausible for women to over-dress up in celebration of clothes than it is for a hierarchy of men to over-dress up in celebration of a fantasy and a system of power? I think it’s wonderfully subversive and illuminating, personally.

I have enjoyed looking at the ridiculous fashions and I think some of the clothes are amazing.
I am catholic and not hugely religious. It does take quite a lot of offend me. However, I am slightly uncomfortable with wearing religious iconography as a fashion statement.

I then started to think about the trend for wearing those huge crossses in the 80s and 90s as a fashion statement and whether I felt uncomfortable with that. I think the difference is the intent.

The best part of seeing them all walk the red carpet, was Kendal Jenner pushing a staff member out of her way as he was in her shot 😱

It isn’t Sabatical.

It is absolutely a reason to make that last minute “how much of an idiot do I look” sanity check in the hall mirror before leaving the house.

SJP has actually managed to look like a church than anything to do with The Church.

And no, I’m absolutely not jealous.

There were some amazing outfits last night, I’d love to go to this party.

I hope they do Rastafarianism next year, Buddhism the next, Islam, Sikh, eventually they'll get round to the Jain and Scientology 😂

I am a catholic and I’ve been thinking about the met gala this morning and was considering starting a thread.

I feel like it’s only appropriate to use religion for these things where ANY religion could be picked. Unfortunately, I don’t think this is the case and if, for instance, Islam was the subject of the Met Gala and folk were parading around in something relating to the prophet Mohammed then there would have been an outcry from the Islamic population.

Just my opinion although I do agree with a op that there’s some great iconography.

I am a catholic born, and if I adhered to this 'Cultural appropriation' hypersensitive bullshit I would be up in arms.
Since I am not, I will just mention some poor tastes, some great dresses and beautiful women (D&G!), and that Beyonce's sister looked very cheap.

I'm a lapsed Catholic, and at first it didn't sit comfortably with me, I feel that this would not happen to most other religions & that it was insensitive.

Catholics in England were discriminated against until the 1800's and did not have equal civil rights. There is huge symbolism in Catholic Iconography, from the colours, the directions of lines and the figures pose & accessories (eg Halo's, doves, wings etc).

However, I understand that the Vatican gave permission for the theme and provided clothes and other items for a Met exhibition & has been in the planning for 12mths.

Catholic art has played a role in the history and development of Western Art since at least the fourth century, and I am viewing it as a celebration of the rich art & history that Catholicism has created. (lets not forget some through ill gotten gains). The Art was created to portray the teachings of the Church, therefore was & is for everyone to see, enjoy & learn from.

As a Catholic, I see it as as much of a culture as a religion, especially in countries like France/Italy.

So from that perspective, they're just drawing on the Italian cultural heritage in my opinion.

No because catholics dont tend to be hyper sensitive cry babies about public use of their iconography