The 2018 Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala (Met Gala) is upon us, with the theme “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”. View our style gallery of all the celebrities arriving on the red carpet at this year’s event.

Fashionistas around the globe are counting down the hours until the who’s who of fashion and Hollywood start arriving at the most-anticipated fashion event of the year: the 2018 Met Gala. Before the big event starts and all eyes turn to the red carpet, here are a few things you need to about the evening – the Met Gala will kick off during the day on Tuesday 8 May New Zealand time.

The religious theme is sure to get everyone talking

This years theme ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination’ will come alive on the red carpet and as some have deemed the theme controversial, it’s likely that some attendees will forgo the theme to prevent any kind of fashion faux pas. “Fashion and religion have long been intertwined, mutually inspiring and informing one another,” said curator Andrew Bolton in a statement on The Met’s website. “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 exhibit will open on 10 May inside The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Precious artefacts on loan from the Vatican will be on display beside high-fashion pieces inspired by religion from designers including AlaĂŻa, Balenciaga, Dior, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Yves Saint Lauren, Lanvin, Rodarte, Valentino and Versace.

Rules will probably be broken

If you’re hoping to get an insider’s glance into what’s goes on at the fashion world’s most prestigious event, you’ll be out of luck: there are no media allowed inside and there is also a strict social media and selfie ban. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be a handful of celebs who are prepared to break the rules: last year’s event saw guests – including Kylie Jenner and Rita Ora – head to the bathroom to take a selfie or two.

Take a look at some of our favourite looks from previous Met Galas in the gallery below.