BOLTON, Andrew. Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.

(New York, NY): Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2018.  First edition.  Quarto.  Two volumes.  335 and 87 pages.  A brilliant exploration of fashion’s complex engagement with the great art and artefacts of Catholic faith and practice. The volume probes what dress reveals about the state of religion and spirituality within contemporary culture, and how it may manifest―or subvert―Catholic values and ideology. Art objects, such as devotional paintings and altarpieces from The Met’s collection, are presented alongside fashions from designers including Cristóbal Balenciaga, Callot Soeurs, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, John Galliano, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Madame Grès, Christian Lacroix, Karl Lagerfeld, Jeanne Lanvin, Claire McCardell, Alexander McQueen, Thierry Mugler, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Gianni Versace. The volume also presents a selection of ecclesiastical vestments and accessories from the Vatican collection, many of which have not been published before.  Illustrated throughout with images by Katrina Jebb.  Both volumes in near fine condition.  Housed in publishers slipcase, that shows a little wear.