Katy Perry came as an archangel, Rihanna dressed like the pope, and Kim Kardashian was a golden goddess for New York's Met Gala on Monday on a night of high fashion inspired by religion.

Katy Perry arrives for the 2018 Met Gala on May 7, 2018 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. (AFP/Hector RETAMAL)

Bejeweled crosses, veils and halo-inspired headdresses ruled on the red carpet, dubbed the Oscars of the east Coast for its celebrity guest list and stunning outfits.

From saints to sinners, guests took to heart the 2018 theme of "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute ball.

Although some commentators had feared the Catholic theme might yield the most controversial Met Gala ever, most of the actors, models and music stars stayed on the right side of propriety in colors of red, white, gold and black.

Rihanna, one of the Met Gala co-hosts, dressed like a pope, sporting a head-turning, jewel-encrusted mitre with matching mini-dress and a priestly-style cape designed by Maison Margiela.

Rihanna arrives for the 2018 Met Gala on May 7, 2018, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The Gala raises money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. (AFP / Hector RETAMAL)

Katy Perry wowed in enormous, feathered six foot high white wings teamed with a Versace gold mini-dress paired with thigh-high gold boots.

The invitation-only Met Gala is a fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and also marks the opening of the Costume Institute's annual fashion exhibition.

The 2018 exhibit shows how Catholicism has influenced fashion and designers through the decades and features more than 50 vestments and other religious items direct from the Vatican.

Madonna turned demure in a black, long-sleeved gown, with a huge gold crown, and a full face veil.

Madonna (L) and Jean Paul Gaultier arrive for the 2018 Met Gala on May 7, 2018, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. (AFP / Angela WEISS)

Kim Kardashian, appearing without husband Kanye West, kept it simple in a curve-hugging, gold metallic floor length dress with plunging neckline by Versace.

"Sex and the City" actress Sarah Jessica Parker opted for a gold Dolce & Gabbana gown embroidered with sacred hearts and a towering nativity scene headpiece.

Jennifer Lopez chose a Balmain dress, split to the hip, with a large cross across the breast and a black feathered train.

Model Bella Hadid was among those opting for the darker side of religion, wearing a Chrome Hearts black latex and leather outfit with long black gloves, and a black veil trailing to the floor.

Lily Collins steered clear of the angelic look and went for something darker with her sheer Givenchy gown and Gothic make up, while clutching rosary beads. (Photograph: Andrew H. Walker/REX/Shutterstock)

Actors Olivia Munn, Zandaya and Priyanka Chopra went for Crusades-inspired chain-mail outfits, while "Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman was among the few men going avant-garde in an ivory cape with gold beaded crosses, an embellished suit, and gold colored shoes.

Other guests chose looks ranging from heavenly white (Dakota Fanning) to angelic yellow (Amanda Seyfried) and skin-baring black lace (Zoe Kravitz)./.

Jennifer Lopez turned to Balmain’s Olivier Rousteing to design her heavily embellished corset gown, featuring her favourite thigh-revealing slit. (Photograph: Matt Baron/REX/Shutterstock)

Blake Lively pulled out all the stops in a dramatic Versace gown which is said to have taken 600 hours to make. (Photo: Met Gala)

Kerry Washington was one of the golden girls of the evening, wearing a full-length, long-sleeved Ralph Lauren gown. (Photograph: Marion Curtis/StarPix/REX/Shutterstock)

The simplicity of Priyanka Chopra’s deep burgundy strapless Ralph Lauren gown offset the drama of her elaborate gold jewelled hood. (Photograph: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

VNF/Reuters