Why we're talking about Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone at Met Gala

Priyanka Chopra knows how to make a statement. Particularly when it comes to fashion. Not only is she resistant to missteps, her public appearances are so carefully calculated you can tell that she owns her clothes, her choices.

You can tell Chopra owns her clothes, her choices. Photo: AP

Which is why, when it comes to costumes and themes, she goes all out, unafraid to experiment. Remember her Ralph Lauren exaggerated trench coat look from last year’s Met Gala? It was over the top, bold – even for an event that is known to push the envelope – what made it stand out was her brazenness. So what if it spawned several rather funny memes, PeeCee reposted her favourites. By participating in her own mockery, she turned the criticism into her favour.

Her look at last year’s Met was also over-the-top, what made it stand out was its brazenness. Photo: Reuters

It then comes as no surprise that her outfit for the “Met Gala 2018, Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”, has found a place in most best dressed lists, counted among the most memorable looks of the night. And bear in mind that she is in august company. Think Rihanna, Madonna and the absolutely angelic Kate Perry.

Chopra was counted among the best dressed at the event, along with the likes of Rihanna, Madonna and Kate Perry.

To ensure that the optics were correct, PeeCee went back to old favourite Ralph Lauren for a velvet gown in crimson, also known as cardinal red, with ornate headgear that harked back to a medieval knight. Crafted by hand in over 250 hours, the headgear’s embroidery was done in India, bringing together her two homes. Love it or hate it, you cannot ignore it. (For the record, we love it.)

The embroidery on Chopra’s beautiful headgear was done in India, bringing together her two homes. Photo: Reuters

It’s impossible to talk about Chopra’s outing at the gala without mentioning Deepika Padukone. Recently featuring on the TIME’s 100 most influential list, she stepped out in red too. It’s a beautiful gown, but not much else. Despite a statement mentioning the source of inspiration – the robe of holy cardinals – it doesn’t fit the theme of what is fashion’s biggest night.

In Padukone’s penchant for safe, predictable choices, the opportunity to stand out remains lost.

The one time when risks aren’t only allowed, but anticipated and celebrated, Padukone’s Prabal Gurung gown with the thigh-high slit may be lauded at any red carpet –in  fact, she wore a similar, albeit less voluptuous, dress at IIFA 2016 – just not on the staircase of The Met.

In her attempt to look stunning, and her penchant for safe, predictable choices, the opportunity to stand out remains lost. In fact, one fashion critic dismissed her choice as not red carpet worthy, but described it as “the red carpet”.

Also read: Met Gala 2018: A look at the worst and best dressed