Kim Kardashian once again proved she knows how to make an entrance. The reality TV star and entrepreneur turned heads at the 5th Annual Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles over the weekend, arriving in a full-face mask and corseted gown that quickly became the night’s most talked-about look.
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(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
A daring twist on couture
Held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the gala celebrates the institution’s educational and public programming but has also become one of the most glamorous red-carpet events of the year. For the 2025 edition, stars including Lupita Nyong’o, Jenna Ortega, and Hailey Bieber brought their A-game — but it was Kardashian who commanded the spotlight.
She appeared in a custom Maison Margiela creation from the house’s Autumn 2025 couture collection — a nude strapless gown with sculpted boning, flowing draped sleeves and a dramatic mask that covered her entire face and hair. A sheer panel sat beneath an ornate silver choker set with gleaming green gemstones, offering the only hint of “skin” on display.
The look was a faithful homage to the original Margiela runway presentation, where the collection’s models also appeared veiled and anonymous, blending surrealism with high fashion. Kardashian’s choice to honour that vision showed her ongoing willingness to experiment with fashion as performance — even if it meant sacrificing comfort or visibility.
Social media reacts to the mystery
Within minutes of her arrival, social media lit up with reactions ranging from fascination to amusement. Some fans praised her commitment to avant-garde design, while others joked about what might be happening beneath the mask. Ever the good sport, Kardashian joined in on the fun, playfully quipping online about the “full glam” hiding underneath.
The moment recalled her 2021 Met Gala appearance — another Maison Margiela design that also featured a full black face covering — suggesting a signature motif of mystery in her red-carpet style.
A night of fashion statements
The Academy Museum Gala has become a fixture on the Hollywood fashion calendar, and this year’s red carpet offered a masterclass in creativity. Jenna Ortega stunned in a sculptural metallic Grace Ling creation, Hailey Bieber opted for a chocolate Schiaparelli gown accented with antique rhinestones, and Zoë Kravitz delivered quiet drama in a Saint Laurent ball gown.
Jenna Ortega (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Hailey Bieber (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Zoë Kravitz (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Yet, Kardashian’s nude-toned look stood apart for its fearless theatricality — a blend of old-Hollywood silhouette and modern conceptual art. Even surrounded by some of the industry’s boldest dressers, she managed to dominate the conversation, proving that in a room full of stars, she still knows how to make the internet stop and stare.
As the lights dimmed and the gala began, one thing was clear: whether hidden behind a mask or centre stage, Kim Kardashian remains one of the most unmissable figures in contemporary fashion.
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