The 2026 Met Gala is fast approaching, which means a fresh crop of co-chairs and host committee members will grace the red carpet of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the first Monday in May. Nicole Kidman joins Venus Williams and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as one of the co-chairs alongside Anna Wintour for the annual event, and the Oscar-winning “The Hours” actress has a long history with the Met Gala that extends back more than 20 years.
Kidman only became a consistent regular at the Met Gala in the 2020s, appearing at the last three events in New York City. WWD breaks down each of Nicole Kidman’s past Met Gala looks ahead of the 2026 edition and its “Fashion Is Art” theme, honoring the museum’s “Costume Art” exhibition on May 4.
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2025
At the 2025 Met Gala, Kidman wore a recreation of a 1950s couture gown Balenciaga crafted by the label under then-creative director Demna, who left the Spanish luxury fashion house in the summer of 2025 to take over as the new couturier for Gucci.
Featuring a strapless silhouette and fitted bodice, the Balenciaga midi dress was designed with a voluminous skirt in black. Bows added definition to the waist and hips of the dress, while gloves accentuated the somber color scheme of the actress’ look. Kidman paired her Balenciaga dress with pointed toe heels and sheer tights. Stylist Jason Bolden crafted the “Moulin Rouge!” star’s look.
2024
2024’s Met Gala saw Kidman wear another vintage Balenciga recreation. The actress went strapless in a design reminiscent of a look worn by model Dorian Leigh in the 1950s. The black and white gown channeled the flamenco dancers of Spain, with a feather-like full skirt with a bevy of textural detailing. White satin acted as a refining layer over top the black skirt and long glossy gloves further accentuated the romantic and liberated style.
2023
The 2023 Met Gala honored late designer Karl Lagerfeld with its theme — “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” — and Nicole Kidman followed suit, honoring the former Chanel designer with her “Chanel No.5, The Film” dress.
Kidman wore the frothy, feathery look in 2004 for the perfume spot. The dress featured semi-sheer fabric embellished with a bevy of crystals and feathers at the skirt, which created a train effect that trailed the actress up the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art stairs.
2016
Kidman channeled the Met Gala theme, “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology,” with her 2016 attire. The actress wore a futuristic gown by McQueen, featuring a bevy of shimmering elements and celestial style inspo. Modern touches were plenty with the frock, featuring a plunging neckline and cutouts above the waist and a cape effect.
2005
In 2005, Kidman joined Wintour and Lagerfeld as a co-chair for the Met Gala. As such, she styled a Chanel Haute Couture gown designed by the couturier. The strapless floor-length dress included an asymmetrical design with sparkling embellishments. Statement jewelry pieces, including a necklace, augmented the shining motif of the look.
2003
For her first foray on the Met Gala red carpet in 2003, then-newly minted Oscar winner Kidman wore a custom asymmetric dress with semi-sheer fabric and allover glittering details from Gucci by Tom Ford. The actress, who wore her blond hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail, added a pair of statement earrings that grazed her collar bone.