MET GALA 2018

The crowning jewel of the evening's decor, the 30-foot-high floriated centerpiece created by gala designer Raul Avila and his army of staffers evoked the evening’s theme. The structure was inspired by a jeweled tiara, "the most striking component of the Pope's ensemble," said Avila, that once belonged to Pope Pius IX.

Made up of 80,000 roses, the soaring floral display echoed the papal headpiece's gilded metal work with roses in gold and off-white. The flowers at the top of the crown are faux silk blooms, which were used to reduce the total weight of the 4,000-pound structure. The triple-tiered tiara also boasted faceted Plexiglas "jewels" that resembled rubies, emeralds, and diamonds.

Sisal carpeting stenciled in white, gold, and burgundy extended from the arrival steps outside the Met into the Great Hall. It made for a dramatic complement to the red-carpet arrivals like Diane Kruger in her Prabal Gurung gown.

Large, antique-gold candelabras with 24- and 48-inch-tall candles fitted with battery-powered bulbs flickered on the Great Hall stairs; some 70 candlesticks in three-armed candelabras lined the steps. The ethereal setting served as the backdrop to this year's receiving line.

There, guests were greeted by Christine and Stephen A. Schwarzman, Donatella Versace, Rihanna, Amal Clooney, and Anna Wintour. This was the Vogue editor's 20th year as co-chair of the event.

In the Petrie Court, wooden rectory tables with gold-tasseled burgundy velvet runners and matching wooden chairs upholstered in burgundy cushions with antique-gold studs comprised the foundation of the dining setup. Arrangements with large white dogwood branches dotted the room. "It was exciting to design the dinner in a fresh space," said Avila. "And the gallery was perfectly suited to the theme."

In lieu of linens, Avila decorated the surfaces with deeply hued flowers and fruit, all placed on a burgundy runner with gold tassels—a nod to the decadent feel of a last supper. The oak monastery chairs were custom made.

Caravaggio-inspired centerpieces contained fruit—such as apples, pears, pomegranates, figs, and grapes—and flowers—including poppies, roses, cascading ivy, and banana grapes—with hurricane candles in the middle. The tables were set with pewter charger plates and off-white china, along with pearl-handled flatware with antique silver details, linen napkins, and blown glass goblets in amber and plum.

Following dinner, Madonna, initially wearing a monastic cloak, descended the stairs of the Great Hall and made her grand entrance on the stage to the tolls of church bells. Fittingly, she opened her set with "Like a Prayer" and segued into "Hallelujah" as she walked through the crowd.