Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and The Catholic Imagination Exhibition At The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dior by John Galliano

After this year’s unforgettable Met Gala and it’s symbolic theme I couldn’t wait to see all of the breathtaking creations that would make the Met’s latest exhibition.

Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and The Catholic Imagination features a dialogue between fashion and medieval art from The Met collection to examine fashion’s ongoing engagement with the devotional practices and traditions of Catholicism. Serving as the cornerstone of the exhibition, papal robes and accessories from the Sistine Chapel sacristy, many of which have never been seen outside The Vatican, are on view in the Anna Wintour Costume Center. Fashions from the early twentieth century to the present are shown in the Byzantine and medieval galleries, part of the Robert Lehman Wing, and at The Met Cloisters.

New York Getting GorJess correspondent Kathryn visited The Met last week and was left in awe of the beauty and power of this stunning exhibition. She captured details from some of our favorite longtime fashion houses. Like a mind-blowing Chanel jeweled gilet and a thought provoking winged creation by John Galliano for Dior.

Below Kathryn shares a brief rundown of her journey through the exhibit and offers tips on how to not miss out on a single heavenly piece.

“This exhibit is located in various galleries in the MET and make sure you do not miss more of the exhibit located downstairs in the Anna Wintour Costume Center. The downstairs pieces focus on papal vestments and accessories on loan from the Vatican. These accessories include rings, tiaras, papal robes, and those famous red shoes.  Upstairs in the Byzantine Art Gallery, Medieval Galley, and The Robert Lehman Wing are more than 150 ensembles that showcase fashion’s engagement with Catholicism. If you go to visit make sure to look up, down, and in every corner and every case of these galleries. There are gems hidden everywhere you turn. While the angel wings, veils, gold embroidery were beautiful and symbolic, the more colorful gown by Laura and Kate Mulleavy for Rodarte definitely caught my eye.  The strong shoulder, silver lame’, and 80’s vibe of the Theirry Mugler dresses stood up well over the test of time. My personal favorite was the beautifully draped Thierry Mugler Golden Angel which was also part of their 1984 collection. This exhibit was dramatic and beautiful, just make sure you don’t miss any of these works of art.”

*Heavenly Bodies runs now through October 8th and is located on view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Galleries 300–306, 955, and 980–981, and at The Met Cloisters in Galleries 1–10, and 13–20.  Exhibitions are free with Museum admission.