Heidi Klum’s Sculptural Balmain Moment Gets Even Better With Son Henry by Her Side at InStyle’s Imagemaker Awards
When it comes to understanding the alchemy of red carpet magnetism, few possess the innate genius of Heidi Klum. The German-born supermodel, who has spent decades defining what it means to own a camera, proved once again that her fashion prowess extends beyond her own wardrobe—it’s quite literally in her DNA. On October 23, Klum made a rare and utterly enchanting appearance alongside her son Henry at the second annual InStyle Imagemaker Awards in California, and darlings, the result was nothing short of sartorial poetry.
The mother-son duo arrived in coordinated black ensembles that demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of tonal dressing without veering into matchy-matchy territory. Klum, ever the provocateur, selected a sculpted Balmain bodycon dress that celebrated the female form with unapologetic confidence. The bandage-style silhouette featured the maison’s signature horizontal striping, emphasized by gleaming gold threading that traced every curve with architectural precision. But the pièce de résistance? A statement gold zipper cascading down the front, which Klum strategically left partially undone to create both a plunging neckline and a daring slit—a styling choice that exemplifies her decades-long mastery of balancing seduction with sophistication.
The dress’s ultra-feminine construction required minimal embellishment, yet Klum opted for a maximalist approach to her accessories, as only a true fashion veteran would dare. Lorraine Schwartz jewels adorned her frame—a constellation of rings, a braided cuff bracelet commanding attention on her wrist, and a show-stopping choker necklace layered over two delicate chains that framed her décolletage. Black open-toe heels elongated her legendary legs, while a structured metallic gold clutch from Cult Gaia provided the perfect exclamation point to an already flawless ensemble.
Meanwhile, Henry—who has recently embarked on his own modeling career, because of course he has—cut an impressively dapper figure in a streamlined black suit worn sans tie, projecting the kind of effortless elegance that cannot be taught. The young Klum held his mother’s hand as they navigated the red carpet together, and despite Heidi’s towering heels, her son’s impressive stature meant he still stood head and shoulders above her in photographs—a visual testament to how quickly time passes, even for ageless supermodels.
InStyle’s coverage of the pair noted that “style clearly runs in the family,” and the internet emphatically agreed. Fans flooded the comments section with compliments, noting the unmistakable resemblance between mother and son and celebrating their coordinated approach to evening dressing.
The Imagemaker Awards, now in its sophomore year, represents a long-overdue celebration of the creative talents typically relegated to the shadows—the stylists, beauty professionals, hair artisans, and image architects responsible for every iconic pop-culture moment we collectively obsess over. Hosted in Los Angeles, the glamorous evening brought together industry luminaries including Jenna Ortega, Jessica Biel, Riley Keough, Kerry Washington, and Elizabeth Olsen, all gathered to honor the visionaries who transform celebrities into legends.
For Klum, whose entire career has been built on understanding the transformative power of fashion, the evening was a natural fit—and having Henry by her side only amplified the magic.
