The End of an Era: Kim Kardashian Channels Old Hollywood Glamour for Demna’s Last Balenciaga Couture Show
In a moment that will undoubtedly be etched into fashion history, Kim Kardashian graced the runway at Balenciaga’s Fall 2025 Couture show, marking the poignant conclusion of creative director Demna’s extraordinary tenure with the storied maison. The third day of Paris Haute Couture Week delivered what can only be described as a masterclass in sartorial storytelling, with Kardashian serving as the perfect muse for this momentous finale.
The SKIMS mogul emerged onto the runway in a breathtaking tableau that transported audiences straight to the golden age of Hollywood glamour. Draped in a beige lingerie-inspired slip dress that whispered of intimate luxury, she commanded attention with every measured step. The ensemble was elevated to celestial heights by a sumptuous matching fur coat that cascaded around her silhouette like liquid poetry, while Lorraine Schwartz diamonds caught the light with mesmerizing brilliance.
But it was the pièce de résistance that sent gasps rippling through the audience: a pair of dangling diamond earrings that once adorned the ears of none other than Elizabeth Taylor herself. The jewelry, plucked from the legendary actress’s private collection, transformed Kardashian’s runway moment into something transcendent—a bridge between fashion’s past and its ever-evolving future.
The homage to Taylor extended far beyond mere accessories. Kardashian’s entire presentation channeled the iconic Maggie Pollitt from the 1958 cinematic masterpiece “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” where Taylor’s searing performance opposite Paul Newman became the stuff of legend. From the sculptural bob that framed her face with geometric precision to the languid sensuality of the slip dress, every element conspired to resurrect the spirit of Old Hollywood’s most captivating screen siren.
The fashion narrative continued post-show, as Kardashian seamlessly transitioned into another Demna creation—this time showcasing her well-documented affinity for the designer’s signature pantaleggings. The icy-white ensemble, featuring a bodycon halter dress that celebrated her curves with architectural precision, proved that even in moments of change, certain style constants remain eternal.
Perhaps most striking was Kardashian’s dramatic coiffure transformation. Gone were the cascading waves that had defined her look at the recent Bezos-Sanchez nuptials, replaced instead by a severe lob with dollop bangs that spoke to fashion’s current fascination with retro-futuristic aesthetics. The severe side part and geometric precision of the cut served as the perfect frame for this pivotal fashion moment.
Taking to Instagram, Kardashian herself acknowledged the magnitude of the occasion: “Walking Demna’s last Balenciaga Couture show dripping in Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and wearing Elizabeth Taylor’s own diamond earrings from her private collection,” she wrote, capturing the reverence and excitement that permeated the evening.
The star-studded front row bore witness to this historic moment, with luminaries including Cardi B, Nicole Kidman, Salma Hayek, Vera Wang, Lorde, Law Roach, Naomi Watts, Kai Schreiber, Michelle Yeoh, Kim Petras, Lori Harvey, and Tessa Thompson lending their presence to Demna’s farewell symphony.
