Kim Kardashian wore a vintage Balenciaga gown on the Academy Museum Gala 2026 red carpet. Matt Baron\/BEI\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n
When Kim went Liz.<\/p>\n
Kim Kardashian hit the red carpet at the Academy Museum Gala 2026<\/a> Saturday night, channeling Elizabeth Taylor with a dramatic bouffant hairstyle.<\/p>\n For the so-called \u201cMet Gala of the West,\u201d the Skims founder wore an archival Balenciaga gown from 1951, sourced from vintage purveyor Lily et Cie, that featured a pink sash across the strapless neckline with a large bow in the back as well as delicate lace detailing.<\/p>\n She channeled Elizabeth Taylor with her glam, pulling her hair up into a dramatic bouffant hairstyle. Matt Baron\/BEI\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n The archival look was styled by Law Roach and featured all-over lace details and a large bow. Matt Baron\/BEI\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n She paired the gown with a multi-layer diamond choker and cluster earrings. David Fisher\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Naturally, Kardashian, 44, and stylist Law Roach paired the look with a multi-layered 55.8-carat diamond Leviev necklace and oversized 10.2-carat diamond cluster earrings from Zydo Italy.<\/p>\n The choice of designer was fitting, as Kim has long been associated with Balenciaga and even walked the runway for the brand in 2025 wearing earrings that once belonged to Taylor<\/a>.<\/p>\n And the Skims founder has long been open about her obsession with the fellow diamond-loving starlet; She released her docuseries \u201cElizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar\u201d<\/a> last year and often pays homage<\/a> to the \u201cCleopatra\u201d star.<\/p>\n She was joined on the red carpet by other A-listers including sister Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter and more. Fellow Taylor fanatic Taylor Swift<\/a> is set to perform during tonight\u2019s event, which celebrates filmmaker and composer John Carpenter as well as Colman Domingo and Charlize Theron.<\/p>\n The annual gala, now in its sixth year, is co-chaired by Tom Ford, Robert Rodriguez, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw.<\/p>\n Elizabeth Taylor was well known for bouffant hairstyles \u2014\u00a0and Kardashian has long been open about her admiration for the late star (pictured here at the 1970 Oscars). Getty Images<\/p>\n The \u201cKardashians\u201d star released a documentary about Taylor (pictured here at the 1961 Oscars) last year and has previously worn her jewelry. Getty Images<\/p>\n Kardashian made a splash at the same event last year, when she chose to wear a nude corseted Maison Margiela couture gown<\/a> that included a matching face-obscuring mask.<\/p>\n The dramatic look included winged sleeves and the reality star, 45, added an enormous crystal choker, also Maison Margiela couture, around her neck as well as Lorraine Schwartz emerald pinky rings to complete the look.<\/p>\n Kardashian revealed to Variety<\/a> on the red carpet that, despite her face being completely concealed, she had a complete face of makeup on underneath \u2014\u00a0and had flown makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic across the country for the event before deciding on the headpiece at the last minute.<\/p>\n Though she said, \u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019s not so happy with it,\u201d she did promise to lift the veil once inside.<\/p>\n