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Nicole Kidman hit the flower-filled steps at the 2024 Met Gala on May 6 in a recreation of a 1950s Balenciaga gown. A friend (and model) of the fashion house (remember when she walked in Balenciaga’s Fall/Winter 2022/23 haute couture show?) the Australian actress enlisted its creative director Denma to design a piece to fulfil the gala’s exhibition theme “Sleeping Beauties.” What transpired was a white double silk satin bustier worn over a black hand-frayed organza skirt.
“This dress was based on a dress from 1951 by Balenciaga, at the time was [headed by founder] Christóbal [Balenciaga],” explains Kidman. “It was something that I saw in a [photographer Richard] Avedon photo and I asked Demna if he would be willing to reinterpret it. And he did! So, in the vein of the Sleeping Beauties [exhibition theme] and… bringing [gowns] back to life, this was one of those.
“It’s haute couture, which I love, of course.”
The original gown was inspired by flamenco dancers, and as such Kidman echoed this is a series of theatrical poses, as husband Keith Urban waited in the wings.
Kidman recently hit the news for becoming the first Australian to be honoured with the American Film Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
“There’s an enormous amount of luck in my life, but there’s also the most important thing—love, big, big love,” the 56-year-old shared as she accepted her award, gesturing to her husband and children. “Right there is the love of my life and the loves of my life. My daughters have never been anywhere publicly with me on a red carpet, tonight was their first night, so they’re here, Sunday and Faith.”
And, of course, for that occasion she was wearing a gold Balenciaga gown. Dripping in it, actually.
