Fashion reigned supreme the night during the 6th Annual Academy Museum Gala, which took place on Saturday night in Los Angeles. Guests dressed their best for the soiree in stylish numbers rivaling the Met Gala. Some impressively pulled from designer brands’ archives, like Kim Kardashian‘s Balenciaga 1951 ensemble.
Kardashian’s look, which was put together in partnership with renowned stylist Law Roach, evoked old Hollywood, calling back to some of the more stylish starlets of the day like Jackie Kennedy à la her beehive hair. The dress was sourced from Los Angeles vintage store Lily et Cie in Los Angeles, who likened the look to Elizabeth Taylor on its Instagram.
The vintage outfit consisted of pastel hues of pink and cream, conjuring up visions of a slice of wedding cake, thanks to the textural horizontal striped appliqués and ball-shaped adornments seen throughout the waist down to the skirt.
The dress’ bodice was crafted of a gathered soft blush satin fabric that came to a point in the back, tied off in a large bow. Said bow grazed the ground as Kardashian walked, creating a small train. This gown featured a nipped-in waist and flared hips, a form-hugging silhouette that the socialite tends to gravitate towards. During the 1950s, Cristóbal Balenciaga designed and ran the house himself as its founder and master couturier, which means the brand’s namesake actually created Kardashian’s dress.
Balenciaga was best known for revolutionizing a new silhouette for women, creating something more freeing that would allow women of the day to wear his designs sans-corset. Garments were created to be fluid and graceful. Kardashian’s specific pick is very common for evening gown designs that Balenciaga favored and created around the 50s. The nipped waist was raised and dropped throughout Balenciaga’s career, while fitting garments to the female form was a constant in his designs, making clothing that worked for the wearer rather than against them.
Opting for a touch more glitz, the “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” star sported a glamorous Leviev Carmen 55.48 Carat Diamond Necklace in 18K White Gold along with equally dazzling round studs dotted with more diamonds. Kardashian’s hair was styled in a Jackie O-esque beehive with angular shaping, a style popularized in the ’60s when Kennedy was the First Lady.
The sixth annual Academy Museum Gala was held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Saturday night. Filmmaker and composer John Carpenter was honored with the Luminary Award for his contributions to filmmaking, while Charlize Theron was also honored with the Icon Award, and Colman Domingo was named the recipient of the Vantage Award.
While there was plenty of star power at the event, a performance from Grammy Award-winner Taylor Swift added a touch of pop star edge to the night. Presented in partnership with Rolex, the 2026 Academy Museum Gala was co-chaired by Robert Rodriguez, Tom Ford, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw.