With a Catholic theme at this year’s Met Gala the majority of stars opted for a heavenly look.
But Miley Cyrus chose the other side of the dualistic spectrum with a sinfully tantalizing black gown on Monday night at the annual bash, themed this year as Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.
The 25-year-old, who made an adamant transition from Disney princess to edgy pop queen in 2013 at the VMAs, accidentally flashed her derriere in her backless dress as she arrived at the elite event.
Cheeky! Miley Cyrus wore a sinfully gorgeous black gown to the Met Gala on Monday night in New York City, accidentally flashing her derriere as she arrived on the red carpet
Taking the plunge: The star dared to bare in her extreme plunging dress – both with a low neckline and a dramatic backless cut
Miley opted to go sans bra in a very plunging black gown by Stella McCartney that exposed not only some of her tattoos, and an assortment of dazzling necklaces – including several by Gabriel NY – but generous glimpses of flesh.
The blonde celebrity’s take on the gala’s theme, while simple and understated, proved to be a bold choice and made a subtle nod to the conflicting emotions underlying Catholicism.
While wearing a risque black dress to the bash she added religious symbols in the shape of jewelry.
Subtle nod: Miley accessorised her look with a gold cross chain snaking around her back
The dark side: Miley opted to go sans bra in a very plunging black gown that exposed not only some of her tattoos and her Gabriel NY necklaces, but generous glimpses of flesh
Hitching a ride: An assistant carried the pop star’s train as she ascended some stairs
Helping hand: The star was given some assistance as she mounted the steps to the Met
Tantalising: The blonde beauty showed off just the right amount of skin
Gold crosses adorned her ears andaother cross hung from her neck, perhaps in acknowledgement of the Christian doctrine that we are all sinners seeking redemption andaonement.
While Jared Leto went as Jesus and Rihanna arrived dressed as the Pope, Miley may have had a more human take on the whole affair and presented herself as a normal Catholic struggling with vice but still longing for holiness.
While divinity may have been the most common interpretation of the theme, Miley took on a much more prevalent reality: Catholic guilt.
The complexity present in her fashion statement seems quite in tune with her struggle to break free of her childhood image as an American sweetheart and her drive to create something more meaningful through her current music.
Working it: The blonde beauty was in her element as she posed on the red carpet
Going way back! The design of the gown showed off a glimpse of her derriere
Touchy feely! Her designer Stella McCartney cheekily grabbed the star’s buttox while chatting with fellow muse Paris Jackson
Good pals: Miley returned the favor with her own affectionate gesture by planting a kiss on the designer’s cheek
The annual gala is always tied to an exhibit at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This year it examined ‘fashion’s ongoing engagement with the devotional practices and traditions of Catholicism.’
The exhibition combines works of fashion with works of religious art, including 50 ecclesiastical masterworks on loan from the Sistine Chapel sacristy at the Vatican.
Model muses: Paris and Miley posed up with the fashion designer before entering the ball
Wow: Miley shared a number of pre-Met Gala pictures on her Instagram account
Working it: The beauty was in her element in front of the cameras, flashing a dazzling smile
Those items, which will be on view in the Anna Wintour Costume Center galleries, include papal vestments and accessories, such as rings and tiaras, from the 18th to the early 21st century, the museum said.
The items encompass more than 15 papacies.
‘Fashion and religion have long been intertwined, mutually inspiring and informing one another,’ Andrew Bolton, head curator of the institute, said in a statement.
Take the throne: The star staged a shoot on a chair, with a crown placed on her lap
Tattooed: The pop princess’ revealing dress highlighted her extensive body art collection
Controversial: The star embraced the theme by posing with a giant crucifix
Working it: The singer was larking about, turning heads in her dramatic black dress
Wow: Miley’s slinky attire captured the attention of the crowds as she made her way in
‘Although this relationship has been complex and sometimes contested, it has produced some of the most inventive and innovative creations in the history of fashion.’
The 150 fashion ensembles come from a slew of designers, including Cristobal Balenciaga, Coco Chanel, John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, Thierry Mugler, Raf Simons, Thom Browne and Gianni and Donatella Versace, among many others.
The exhibition, which will run May 10 through October 8, is a collaboration between the Costume Institute and the Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters.
