Met Gala 2018: Looks from heaven and hell

By Melissa Zuleta.

Since the theme for this years' exhibition of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art was announced, we knew it would have our full attention, and that the red carpet would be especially interesting.

Despite the whole bunch of boring people who made the easy choice of going with any dress and throw a crown in it, it was a very productive night full of winners and risk-takers with great results. But, as always, it's not easy to find a balance and there are some that always end up looking like Halloween party attendees.

This time we are doing things a little different, starting with the best ones, then going into the special mentions and finally, those disasters that only make this night better than it is.

Best dressed (and theme appropriate)

Zendaya in Atelier Versace

Considering how many people just went with a dress that they paired with a crown or tiara, we need to give Zendaya a standing ovation for doing her homework and showing a different approach to Catholicism, a powerful reference to the Crusades, one of the darkest periods of the Church. One more metallic piece and she would look like a warrior princess from a Disney movie, but she didn't cross that line and instead made both a fashion statement and a critique to the institution.

Blake Lively in Atelier Versace

She is a goddess. The amount of work that has been done on this dress is obvious, and it is a pleasure to the eyes. Plus, is the perfect example of the balance between the timeless elegance that a gala like this requires and also the theme of the night.

Sarah Jessica Parker en Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda

Jen loved her "more than life itself" (she literally said that) and I agree with her in that we were missing her being the star of this event. This dress is pure drama and performance, and at the same time is a proof of what Italian couture can do. In fact, we were surprised that there was no more D&G walking this red carpet.

Lily Collins in Givenchy Couture

Another one that step out of the easy choices. From the halo, going through the dramatic makeup and the gothic allure of the dress with see-through panels, this was an approach that no one else did. And we loved her for that.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Ralph Lauren Collection

With so many crowns and headpieces trying to get attention, Rosie earned a spot on this list because this outfit is appropriate for the theme and also is usable outside of it. It has an ethereal vibe to it and the halo is indeed heavenly. Perfect.

Janelle Monae in Marc Jacobs

No one wears black and white like Janelle. For another occasion, without the headpiece and the hat, this dress would've been a winner anyways, but those two elements take the outfit to another level and makes it perfect for the theme: she took us both to the convent and to Sunday's mass.

Rihanna in Maison Margiela Artisanal by John Galliano

You all know that I'm not fan of her style choices (or anything about her), but I can't deny that she committed to the look and made it work: the risk, the opulence, the meaning. And for that night, like every year, it works for her. I think the only night when (almost) I don't mind seeing her, it's the Met Gala.

Special Mentions

Priyanka Chopra in Ralph Lauren Collection

Let me be honest here: the only reason why she's not on the best dressed list is because that list was already too long, but she looks absolutely stunning. The dress per se is a huge hit (without the headpiece); and take my word for it, you all know how much I hate velvet.

Diane Kruger in Prabal Gurung

If you take this out of the Met Gala it would still be on the best-dressed list, but we put her here because next year we'll remember the headpiece more than we will remember the dress.

Ariana Grande in Vera Wang

This a "so close" case.  The idea of printing a dress with the art of the Sixtine Chapel is fantastic and the result is beautiful indeed, but it was not enough. And no, we don't love the bow on her hair.

Lena Waithe in Carolina Herrera

Another great statement: not only the suit (that is incredible well fitted) or the drama of the cape, but the message of diversity that is still unaceptable to one of the oldest religions in the world. Who said that fashion is not a good mean to send messages? Because that person is wrong. 

Jennifer Lopez in Balmain

She did her own interpretation of a "heavenly body": all the sex-appeal only she can gather, finished with a cross. It's 100% JLo and we love it.

Lana del Rey in Gucci

This almost goes to the worst dressed list but we couldn't do it because the dress itself is exquisite and the craftsmanship and details are beautiful. But one more feather on that headpiece and we would've send it straight to hell.

Worst Dressed

Cara Delevingne in Christian Dior Couture

Dress: Ok.  Headwear: Ok.  Dress + Headwear: Hell no! 

Mindy Kaling in Vassilis Zoulias

The ugliest example of "I'm going to wear any dress and will add a crown to make it go with the theme". Besides being the worst fit (who on earth will put her on dress that accentuates a roll in her armpit?) and having all those wrinkles, it really doesn't do anything good for her. This outfit is a waste of time.

Salma Hayek in Altuzarra 

Salma Hayek is on this list because she's Salma Hayek (we should just made her honorary member). She tried to impersonate the Garden of Eden and ended up looking like an elaborate picnic tablecloth.

Selena Gómez in Coach

Do you remember that episode of friends where Ross gets a tan? Selena also counted on Mississippi and got it wrong. Enough said.

Cardi B in Moschino by Jeremy Scott

You also know that I don't like Jeremy Scott and I'm also not particularly crazy about Cardi B, so there was no way in hell or earth that she would not be on this list. Not even if she stayed home watching the red carpet on TV. And she got even less chances of being forgiven when she showed up looking like a bridal praying mantis on ecstasy. And let's be clear here: her pregnancy has nothing to do with this: if she wasn't pregnant she would still look terrible.

Katy Perry in Atelier Versace

If the Met Gala was useful for something was to acknowledge that Katy Perry loves anime, because she showed up with something that can't be other than a costume from Saint Seiya.

We have to admit, this was one of the best red carpets we've seen in a while, and it is a shame that we can't include more looks here (this has already gone too long). What did you think about it? Did you think we missed someone? Let us know in the comments and on our social media (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter). And on that note, thank you so much to all who followed our tweets on Monday. See you soon!