The success of each year's Met Gala can be gauged by a number of elements: the volume of celebrities who nailed the theme (or at least looked good); the A-listers who missed the mark; the memes spawned by the night.
Most critical, though, is the attendance (or lack thereof) of one particular woman: Rihanna.
The Bad Gal always turns an on-theme look, and — more often than not — shows up fashionably late: a potent combination that can transform a "Meh" Gala into an affair to remember. But this year, the Barbadian billionaire is very pregnant. She's got better things to tend to than a long night of high-fashion peacocking.
Onlookers sorely missed her presence, but Rih still found a way to make her mark on the event.
Vogue transformed the star into a marble statue recreating her May cover. Placed front-and-center in The Met's Greco-Roman galleries, Rihanna replaces "Eirene (The Personification of Peace)," a sight that draws visitors from around the world.
Thanks to special effects studio Ape Man Robot, there's a new goddess in town. (Fenty Museum when?)
Vogue also paid homage to Anna Wintour with a digital rendering of her look, a feathered and sequined Chanel frock, but I bet you can guess which tribute was more popular among the public (or at least Instagram).
Rihanna, we hope you had a peaceful first Monday of May — next year, we'll (hopefully?) see you on the red carpet.
