Timeless Elegance: Nicole Kidman’s Vintage Chanel Haute Couture Look at the 2026 Met Gala
By Olivia Hensley
The theme for the 2026 Met Gala is “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” in honor of the late, great designer. As in previous themes, the “in honor of Karl” dress code was open for interpretation.
Some took it literally and dressed up like the icon himself. Others actually embodied the role of Lagerfeld’s beloved cat, .
And then there’s Nicole Kidman.
Nicole Kidman wearing a Chanel Haute Couture gown from circa 2004, paired with Harry Winston Cluster diamond chandelier earrings and a matching sparkling cluster diamond ring at the 2026 Met Gala with the theme Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 1, 2026 (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
Nicole Kidman Rewears Her Iconic Chanel No. 5 Commercial Gown
The 55-year-old actress hit the archives and stepped out in a stunning Chanel Haute Couture gown from 2004. It’s the same glamorous dress that Kidman wore in her iconic Chanel No. 5 commercial from the same year.
Nicole Kidman and Rodrigo Santoro star in “Le Film,” a Chanel No. 5 commercial directed by Baz Luhrmann (Credit: YouTube)
Nicole Kidman’s Chanel No. 5 “Le Film” Commercial with Rodrigo Santoro
Directed by Baz Luhrmann, Kidman plays a Hollywood starlet in “Le Film,” one of the most expensive commercials ever produced, with a budget of $33 million.
She is seen wearing the dress as she desperately tries to escape from the paparazzi and the chaos of stardom. Kidman jumps into a cab and finds herself sitting next to an unsuspecting man played by Rodrigo Santoro, who whisks her away and changes her life forever.
Keith Urban Joins Nicole Kidman in Classic Tux and Glossy Dress Shoes
Kidman may have portrayed a Hollywood princess in a whirlwind romance, but her very own real-life prince was there to help her up the iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Keith Urban stepped out in a classic black tux with a crisp white dress shirt and glossy black leather dress shoes.
Nicole Kidman added a modern touch to her vintage Chanel gown by pairing it with sleek black open-toe sandals at the 2026 Met Gala (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
Nicole Kidman’s Archival Chanel Gown and Minimalist Black Sandals at the 2026 Met Gala
Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman arrived at this year’s Met Gala wearing the same glamorous design: pink silk tulle, pink ostrich feather embroidery, silver crystal and sequin embellishments, and a four-meter train.
While Nicole Kidman kept her footwear understated in simple black open-toe sandals that let her archival Chanel gown take center stage, other celebrities at the 2026 Met Gala made bolder statements with their shoes and styling choices.
Other Standout Shoe Moments From the 2026 Met Gala
👠 2026 Met Gala Shoe & Fashion Highlights on Your Next Shoes:
- 👗 — striking platforms, dramatic tailoring, and a goth-glam edge.
- ✨ — blending lace, sheer fabrics, and gothic-inspired accessories.
- 🎤 — pairing archival Chanel with edgy hair and metallic pumps.
- 👑 — Rihanna’s white wrap-around satin laced pumps peeked out beneath her sculptural gown.
Keith Urban complemented her look in a classic black tuxedo with glossy dress shoes at the 2026 Met Gala in New York City (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
In the ad, Karl Lagerfeld designed all of the costumes himself. But it’s this particular pink tulle number that really made an impact.
As Kidman told , “I have the most indelible memories of fittings with Karl in the atelier, and I loved witnessing his dedication to his craft.”
Nicole Kidman re-wore her iconic Chanel No. 5 commercial dress, which featured pink silk tulle and ostrich feather embroidery (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
The continued, “I remember his laugh when he first sketched the dress and handed me the sketch. He always made me laugh. He designed a number of dresses for me, but I think this is the most spectacular.”
Kidman recounted how Lagerfeld often turned to pink hues when designing a gown for her: “I remember he made me a pink dress for the Oscars one year. When he designed, he always loved to see me in the palest of pink.”
Nicole Kidman’s dress was designed by Karl Lagerfeld himself and featured a pale pink hue and a four-meter train (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
If there’s anything that this year’s Met Gala and Nicole Kidman’s iconic dress showed, it’s that a well-made piece designed by a master craftsman can and will live on as a timeless piece of history.
Nicole Kidman’s Enduring Footwear Legacy
From re-wearing her iconic Chanel gown at the Met Gala to stepping out in statement heels on red carpets around the world, Nicole Kidman continues to prove that timeless fashion is as much about the shoes as it is about the dress. Below, we’ve rounded up some of her most memorable shoe and fashion moments that highlight her versatile style and enduring elegance.
👠 Explore Nicole Kidman’s Best Shoe & Fashion Moments:
- 📏 — highlighting her chic Ferragamo pumps styled with a tailored outfit.
- 🌟 — a spotlight on her sleek Aquazzura heels and how they elevated her look.
- 👗 — an overview of her height, shoe size, and signature footwear choices.
- 🎤 — at A Family Affair premiere, pairing a Gucci dress with Paris Texas mules.
- ✨ — completed with Jimmy Choo “Nell” mules for polished red-carpet glamour.
