Kim Kardashian has revealed that her 2026 Met Gala outfit was inspired by the 1975 erotic French film Maîtresse, directed by Barbet Schroeder. The film, which features themes of BDSM and a dominatrix, was initially banned in the UK by the British Board of Film Classification in 1976 and later released with cuts in 1981.
For the Met Gala's 'Fashion Is Art' dress code, the reality star and SKIMS founder wore a tangerine fibreglass breastplate designed by British pop artist Allen Jones, known for his overtly sexual and fetishistic works. The breastplate was crafted over three weeks at an auto body shop and paired with a leather skirt by Whitaker Malem.
Jones had previously created posters for Maîtresse, depicting a woman in a bustier holding keys with a whip at her feet. He later developed the poster into a series of paintings. Kardashian chose to use a mould from 1967 or 1968 rather than casting her own body, stating she wanted something original.
The Met Gala, held annually at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a fundraising event where celebrities showcase fashion aligned with a chosen theme. Tickets for the 2025 event cost $75,000 (£55,000), with guests requiring an invitation approved by Anna Wintour.
