What kind of dress takes 600 hours to make? Ask Blake Lively

This year's Met Gala, on the first Monday in May, is shaping up to be one of the most controversial, and spectacular.

Blake Lively has revealed her Met Gala dress has already taken nearly a month to make... and it's not yet done.Credit: AP

After all, the theme,  Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination, has already raised a few eyebrows in the church over how designers (and the celebrities who wear them) will interpret the theme.

Most of the outfits remain under wraps until the night, which is chaired by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

But actress Blake Lively has let slip to Vogue that her dress has already taken 600 hours of labour, and it's still not finished.

That's as if Jesus himself spent 25 of his 40 days in the desert tinkering with tulle and beads.

Lively, whose dress is always a showstopper, has not revealed the designer behind the look, but in previous years she has worn Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Chanel and Burberry.

The Gossip Girl star, who is married to Ryan Reynolds, is famous in Hollywood for being one of the few stars to not have a personal stylist.

Blake Lively in Versace at the 2017 Met Gala.Credit: Evan Agostini

"It's probably because I have control issues and a big ego, that's probably the best answer," she told Women's Wear Daily. "I love design and I love fashion and it's a way to be creative. In my job I get to be creative, but it's over a period of time and so many other people are involved, whereas this is a beginning, middle and end, and I get to be creative and there's an end date in the near future."

Lively said she has sent her dress for this year's Met Gala to jeweller Lorraine Schwartz and shoe designer Christian Louboutin to create custom pieces to finish off the look.

The self-proclaimed control freak told Women's Wear Daily she also loves doing friends' makeup and cooking.

"You get to be creative and finish it. Whereas with my job you do it and then two years later it’s finished. It probably goes back to the control issues; it’s like, ‘Ok I did it, I completed it, it’s done!’”

The exhibition tied to the gala will feature about 180 pieces of fashion with a religious theme, something that has been explored by designers ranging from Jean Paul Gaultier to Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana.

The gala itself will be hosted by Amal Clooney, Rihanna and Donatella Versace, so expect some amazing (grace) looks from these women as well.