Kim Kardashian's inspiration for her sculpted fembot look at the 2026 Met Gala has been revealed. The 45-year-old television personality, who recently delivered an emotional speech at a Broadway play, unveiled the unique ensemble on Monday as she walked the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The Outfit
She showcased a leggy appearance in an orange metallic bodysuit created by British artist Allen Jones and Whitaker Malem. The outfit featured a custom-molded breastplate on the front, with leather material falling behind her in shades of tan and vibrant orange.
Inspiration from Controversial Film
The ensemble drew inspiration from Jones' poster for the 1975 French erotic film Maîtresse, which was controversial in both the U.S. and U.K. upon its release. The film received an X rating in the United States. According to IMDB, the plot follows a common thief who breaks into the home of a professional dominatrix and falls in love with her after helping train her clients.
Social Media Teasers
Kardashian shared a similar poster and other artwork by Jones on her Instagram stories ahead of the Met Gala. On her main page, she posted a series of photos modeling the outfit along with additional sculpted pieces from Jones and Malem.
Previous Collaborations
Celebrities have previously collaborated with Jones, including Kate Moss, who modeled a full-body orange metallic piece called Body Armour in 2013. The look was originally created by Jones in 1978 for an unreleased movie.
Behind the Scenes
In an interview with Vogue, Kardashian discussed how the collaboration came about. She said, 'I have seen his work referenced so many times by people in fashion, and I've always been a big admirer of his work.' She added, 'Allen Jones would be iconic: Sexy. Classic. Cool. Innovative.'
The breastplate was repurposed, with the reality star explaining, 'I wanted something original - I didn't want to cast my own body.' The piece was made in three weeks, and the painting of the breastplate took place inside an auto body shop, according to Vogue. The leather skirt addition came from Malem, while the painted brushstrokes were done by Jones.
Accessories and Styling
Kardashian paired the outfit with closed-toed nude heels and chose not to add flashy jewelry. Her hair was styled in a platinum blonde hue with messy waves flowing past her shoulders. She posed on the red carpet alongside family members including mother Kris Jenner and sister Kylie Jenner.
Pre-Gala Rituals
The SKIMS founder also shared behind-the-scenes clips on Instagram stories, including one of her strolling outside her NYC hotel while linking arms with Jones. Additionally, she offered insight into her pre-Met Gala meal by sharing a photo of an ice cream cone topped with colorful sprinkles, captioned 'Met prep.'
Met Gala History
This marked Kardashian's 12th appearance at the Met Gala. She first attended the star-studded fundraiser in 2013, showing off her baby bump in a floral Givenchy dress. In 2022, she wore Marilyn Monroe's iconic Bob Mackie dress, revealing she lost 16 pounds in three weeks to fit into it. She told Vogue, 'It was such a challenge. I was determined to fit,' and described her strict diet and fitness regime involving a sauna suit, treadmill running, and cutting out all sugar and carbs.
