Kendall Jenner Finally Got Her Polka-Dot Moment at the 2026 Academy Museum Gala

Last night, the 2026 Academy Museum Gala brought out Hollywood’s finest to the annual event, which supports the museum’s mission to preserve and celebrate cinema. Kim Kardashian! Taylor Swift! A$AP Rocky! The red carpet had no shortage of high-wattage star sightings, and also on hand was model Kendall Jenner (in custom Valentino, no less). “I love the Academy Gala. It’s so great we have this in L.A.,” Jenner tells Vogue the morning after. “Supporting the museum and film brings me such joy. To be in the room with such legends is an honor—but also to have friends and family there is so special! I truly enjoyed it all.”

This fall, Jenner has been keeping her head down with “a lot of work, and some play,” she says, so the Academy Gala was the perfect opportunity to step out and have some fun in a high-profile setting. “I’ve been great—feeling extremely blessed to have quite a healthy work-life balance,” says Jenner of what she’s been up to these past few months. “When I can, I’ve been hiding away and enjoying my animals and some quiet.”

The paparazzi-filled Academy Gala carpet was certainly not a place for hiding away, so Jenner made sure to dial up the glamour in her black-and-white polka-dotted Valentino gown. The design was something Jenner has been dreaming up for a while. “I’ve always wanted a red carpet polka-dot moment,” says Jenner. “When I was chatting with my stylist Danielle [Goldberg] a few months ago, I had mentioned this, and sent a bunch of inspiration photos. We came across this Valentino polka-dot dress, and we just loved it.”

The floor-length, strapless gown was made of a black and ivory polka-dot-printed georgette, and embroidered ivory duchesse satin with a black underlay. The skirt also featured a deep side slit, plus two bow details at the hips. “The fabric this dress is made of, silk, is so yummy,” says Jenner. “And the beaded black polka-dots on the bottom half of the dress are such a nice touch—Valentino outdid themselves. It may just be one of the favorites I’ve worn on a carpet!”

Meanwhile the star accessorized with matching pointy pumps and loaded up on glittering jewels courtesy of Cartier. Jenner wore the label’s Panthère de Cartier earrings and ring, the dazzling pieces made of 18-karat white gold, emeralds, onyx, and diamonds.

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