Taylor Swift Just Made Her Academy Museum Gala Debut in a Cinderella Dior Gown, and Kim Kardashian’s Elizabeth Taylor Tribute Is Stealing the Spotlight
Hollywood’s so-called Met Gala of the West did not disappoint. On Saturday night, October 17, the sixth annual Academy Museum Gala transformed the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles into a runway of vintage glamour and modern couture, and all eyes were on two women: Taylor Swift, making her gala debut before taking the stage to perform, and Kim Kardashian, who turned the carpet into a love letter to Elizabeth Taylor.
The night honored Charlize Theron, Colman Domingo, and filmmaker and composer John Carpenter, with Tom Ford, Robert Rodriguez, Steven Spielberg, and Kate Capshaw serving as co-chairs. But as always at this fundraiser, which supports the museum’s exhibitions, education programs, screenings, and preservation work, the red carpet delivered its own show.
Taylor Swift’s Cinderella Moment in Custom Dior
Taylor Swift’s awards season streak is well and truly underway. The 36-year-old singer arrived at her Academy Museum Gala debut in a strapless pastel blue ballgown by Christian Dior that gave full modern Cinderella energy.
The custom design came from Jonathan Anderson, Dior’s creative director, the very same designer behind Swift’s wedding dress for her July 3 ceremony with Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden. The gala gown featured a crystal-embellished bodice, a sparkling bow applique just below the neckline, a softly ruched bodice, and a flowing, finely pleated skirt that billowed out into a dramatic train as she posed for the cameras.
The jewelry was just as serious. Swift wore pieces from Chopard’s Haute Joaillerie collection: platinum earrings set with 32.40 carats of diamonds, a gold ring with 5.78 carats of diamonds, and a platinum and diamond bracelet, finished with a glittering gold manicure. Her newly short hair was styled in romantic, shoulder-length waves tucked behind her ears, paired with shimmery eyeshadow, her signature black winged eyeliner, and a light pink lip.
Swift rode solo for the evening. Her husband Travis Kelce stayed behind to prepare for the Kansas City Chiefs’ big game against the Los Angeles Chargers the following day. She will also take the stage at the gala to perform, making her debut night a double duty of fashion and music.
Kim Kardashian Channels Elizabeth Taylor in 1951 Balenciaga
If Swift brought the fairy tale, Kim Kardashian brought old Hollywood. The 44-year-old Skims founder hit the red carpet in an archival Balenciaga gown from 1951, sourced from vintage purveyor Lily et Cie, that featured a pink sash across the strapless neckline, delicate lace detailing, and a large bow in the back.
The homage was in the hair. Kardashian pulled her hair up into a voluminous bouffant hairstyle, deliberately channeling Elizabeth Taylor, and paired it with a multi-layered 55.8-carat diamond Leviev necklace and oversized 10.2-carat diamond cluster earrings from Zydo Italy. Her longtime stylist Law Roach put the look together.
The Taylor connection runs deep. Kardashian released her docuseries “Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar” last year and walked the Balenciaga runway in 2025 wearing earrings that once belonged to the late actress. She has long been open about her obsession with the fellow diamond-loving starlet, and Saturday night’s look was her most direct tribute yet.
She was joined on the carpet by other A-listers including her sister Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Sabrina Carpenter.
The Best Dressed List Kept Growing
Beyond the two headline moments, the carpet was stacked with standout looks that leaned into sculpted tailoring, sheer layers, and voluminous silhouettes, with the boldest guests going all in on saturated color.
Karlie Kloss in black satin Alaia
Karlie Kloss turned heads in a monochrome look with an unexpected twist: a black satin Alaia gown with a striking faux-fur panel along the waist, embellished with fuzzy appliques and worn with a loose leather waistband she casually tucked her hand behind. The sleeveless dress featured a square neckline held up by two thin straps and a floor-length skirt with a subtle flare. Her stylist Natasha Colvin accessorized the look with black pointed-toe heels and Cartier jewelry, including a layered diamond necklace in a geometric design across three strings of pave diamonds. Kloss finished with a low ponytail, face-framing pieces, a pink lip, and bold mascara.
Jessica Lange’s rare appearance
Jessica Lange, 77, made a rare red carpet appearance and reminded everyone that timeless elegance never goes out of style. The Hollywood legend looked radiant in a floor-length black lace gown with a flattering V-shaped neckline, delicate sheer lace sleeves, and a fitted silhouette, styled with her signature silver-blonde hair in voluminous, softly curled waves. Diamond earrings and a sparkling bracelet completed the understated luxury.
Pamela Anderson keeps her glow
Pamela Anderson continued her fashion renaissance in a crisp white button-down shirt tucked into a flowing mint-green chiffon skirt, complete with a bow tied at the waist and a dramatic sweeping train. She carried a coordinating pale green satin clutch and styled her signature blonde hair in playful, vintage-inspired curls.
The color brigade
Those who chose color went all the way. Naomi Ackie fully embraced it in a voluminous violet Balenciaga gown with Boucheron jewelry. Cailee Spaeny’s punchy pink Valentino Spring/Summer 2027 gown, with its dramatic train, was a certified showstopper. Sarah Pidgeon subverted the standard black-tie look in a knee-length, orange-red sequin dress from Chanel’s Fall/Winter 2026 Couture collection. Zoey Deutch stood out in a textured Prada floor-length, long-sleeve column dress, while Amandla Stenberg’s butterfly-adorned dress came straight off Zimmerman’s Spring/Summer 2027 runway. Mia Goth offered another take on the classic black dress with a 70s-inspired silhouette by Christian Dior.
Sister acts and sweet reunions
There were some dynamic duos in attendance. Sisters Elle and Dakota Fanning arrived together, with Elle in a custom Valentino gown featuring a whimsical butterfly bodice and multicolored skirt and cape, and Dakota in a sheer black lace dress with an asymmetrical neckline. Pitch Perfect co-stars Brittany Snow and Anna Kendrick had a cute moment on the carpet, with Kendrick wearing a plunging peplum gown from Georges Chakra’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection.
A Quieter Year, But Not Without Moments
Compared with last year’s decidedly daring fashion moments, like Kardashian’s Margiela face covering, Jenna Ortega’s sculpted leaf bodice, and Rebecca Hall’s trompe l’oeil Thom Browne gown, Saturday’s event was comparatively low-key. But with Swift’s gala debut and performance, Kardashian’s vintage Taylor tribute, and a strong showing from fashion’s color lovers, the sixth annual Academy Museum Gala more than earned its “Met Gala of the West” nickname.
For more red carpet moments, see our roundups of the InStyle Imagemaker Awards 2026 looks and Margot Robbie’s Chanel jasmine fields fragrance film. And read how Taylor Swift’s gala performance booking was announced earlier this month.
