The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2018 exhibition, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” was a groundbreaking exploration of the intricate relationship between fashion and Catholicism. This exhibition, organized by The Costume Institute, was displayed across two locations: The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. It featured a stunning array of garments and accessories that drew inspiration from the rich iconography and traditions of the Catholic Church.
One of the highlights of the exhibition was the display of papal robes and accessories from the Sistine Chapel sacristy, many of which had never been seen outside the Vatican before. These ecclesiastical masterworks, spanning over 15 papacies from the 18th to the early 21st century, were showcased in the Anna Wintour Costume Center. The exhibition also included contemporary fashion pieces from renowned designers like John Galliano for House of Dior, which were displayed alongside medieval art from The Met’s collection.
The exhibition was praised for its ability to create a dialogue between fashion and medieval art, examining how fashion has engaged with the devotional practices and traditions of Catholicism. It highlighted the enduring influence of liturgical vestments on modern fashion, showcasing how sacred images, objects, and customs have inspired some of the most innovative creations in the history of fashion.
Processional cross, ca. 1000–1050. Byzantine. Silver, silver-gilt. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Rogers Fund, 1993 (1993.163)
Gianni Versace. Evening dress, autumn/winter 1997–98. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Donatella Versace, 1999 (1999.137.1). Digital composite scan by Katerina Jebb
Fragment of a floor mosaic with a personification of Ktisis, 500–550, with modern restoration. Byzantine. Marble and glass. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Harris Brisbane Dick Fund and Fletcher Fund, 1998; Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, Dodge Fund, and Rogers Fund, 1999 (1998.69; 1999.99)
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana for Dolce & Gabbana. Ensemble, autumn/winter 2013–14. Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana. Digital composite scan by Katerina Jebb
Reliquary cross, 14th century. Italian. Enamel, silver-gilt, coral, glass, rock-crystal, gold leaf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of J. Pierpoint Morgan, 1917 (17.190.497)
Karl Lagerfeld for House of Chanel. Gilet, autumn/winter 2007–8 Métiers d'Art. Courtesy of CHANEL. Digital composite scan by Katerina Jebb
John Galliano for House of Dior. Evening ensemble, autumn/winter 2000–2001 haute couture. Courtesy of Dior Heritage Collection, Paris. Digital composite scan by Katerina Jebb
Yves Saint Laurent. Statuary vestment for the Virgin of El Rocío, ca. 1985. Courtesy of Chapelle Notre-Dame de Compassion, Paris. Digital composite scan by Katerina Jebb
Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren for Viktor & Rolf. Ensemble, autumn/winter 1999–2000 haute couture. Courtesy of Groninger Museum. Digital composite scan by Katerina Jebb
Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli for Valentino. Evening dress, spring/summer 2014 haute couture. Courtesy of Valentino S.p.A. Digital composite scan by Katerina Jebb
John Galliano for House of Dior. Evening ensemble, autumn/winter 2005–6 haute couture. Courtesy of Dior Heritage Collection, Paris. Digital composite scan by Katerina Jebb
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana for Dolce & Gabbana. Wedding ensemble, spring/summer 2013 alta moda. Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana. Digital composite scan by Katerina Jebb
Christian Lacroix. Wedding ensemble, autumn/winter 2009–10 haute couture. Courtesy of Maison Christian Lacroix, Paris. Digital composite scan by Katerina Jebb
Cristóbal Balenciaga for House of Balenciaga. Wedding ensemble, 1967. Courtesy of Balenciaga Archives. Digital composite scan by Katerina Jebb
Azzedine Alaïa. Dress, 1992–95. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, The Dorothy Strelsin Foundation Inc. Gift, 2014 (2014.453). Digital composite scan by Katerina Jebb
Jean Paul Gaultier. "Lumière" evening ensemble, spring/summer 2007 haute couture. Courtesy of Röhsska Museum, Sweden. Digital composite scan by Katerina Jebb
Christian Lacroix. "Gold-Gotha" ensemble, autumn/winter 1988–89 haute couture. Courtesy of Maison Christian Lacroix, Paris. Digital composite scan by Katerina Jebb
Madame Grès (Alix Barton). Evening dress, 1969. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Mrs. William Randolph Hearst, Jr., 1988 (2009.300.1373). Digital composite scan by Katerina Jebb
Elsa Schiaparelli. Evening dress, summer 1939. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Arturo and Paul Peralta-Ramos, 1954 (2009.300.1185a, b). Digital composite scan by Katerina Jebb
Jeanne Lanvin for House of Lanvin. Evening dress, 1939. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Mrs. Harrison Williams, Lady Mendl, and Mrs. Ector Munn, 1946 (C.I.46.4.17a–c)
