Kim Kardashian debuted an archival 1951 Balenciaga gown and a bouffant hairstyle at the 6th Annual Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles on October 17, 2026, channeling Elizabeth Taylor. The star-studded charity event also featured a live musical performance by Taylor Swift.
Hollywood’s elite gathered for the 6th Annual Academy Museum Gala at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Saturday night.
Kim Kardashian Channels Elizabeth Taylor in a 1951 Balenciaga Creation
Kim Kardashian arrived in an archival Balenciaga dress from 1951. Sourced from the vintage purveyor Lily et Cie, the strapless gown featured pastel pink and cream hues, horizontal striped appliqués, and a gathered soft blush satin bodice that extended into a large bow and small train in the back. The founder has long been open about her obsession with the fellow diamond-loving starlet, having released the docuseries Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar
last year and previously wearing her jewelry, including when she walked the runway for Balenciaga in 2025 wearing earrings that once belonged to Taylor.
Kim KardashianIn vintage Balenciaga 1951for Academy Museum Gala#respectdaLAW #styledbyLAW pic.twitter.com/LxbwNWaJfS
The look was put together in partnership with celebrity stylist Law Roach.
Honoring Filmmaking Icons
The annual gala celebrated filmmaker and composer John Carpenter, as well as Colman Domingo and Charlize Theron.
The list of megastars who arrived at the charity event included Kendall Jenner and her boyfriend, Jacob Elordi, Hailey Bieber, Demi Moore, Eva Longoria, Olivia Munn, Emily Ratajkowski, Sofia Richie, Hunter Schafer, Karlie Kloss, Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Mia Goth, Sabrina Carpenter, John Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, Adrien Brody and his girlfriend, Georgina Chapman, Leo DiCaprio’s girlfriend, Vittoria Ceretti, Kristen Wiig, Jessica Alba, Priyanka Chopra, Pierce Brosnan, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dakota Fanning, and Kerry Washington. Presented in partnership with Rolex, the evening was co-chaired by Robert Rodriguez, Tom Ford, Steven Spielberg, and Kate Capshaw.
Managing the Red Carpet Spotlight
The presence of both Kardashian and Taylor Swift generated media attention given their well-documented history involving Kanye West that began in 2016.
Kim Kardashian dressed in vintage Balenciaga 1951 for Academy Museum Gala pic.twitter.com/hN6hPr4nAp
Reflecting on this year’s vintage aesthetic, the ensemble was paired with glam styling that left her team cheering.
