November 9, 2026

Nicole Kidman’s Chanel Dress at the LACMA Gala Tells Two Different Stories

Nicole Kidman attended the 2026 LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday evening, honouring artist Vija Celmins and filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, just days after she attended the Chanel Cruise show in Sydney.

Nicole Kidman poses beneath the Urban Light installation at the 2026 LACMA Gala in a Chanel dress with a fitted beige top, asymmetric ivory tulle skirt and black slingback sandals.
John Shearer/Getty Images for LACMA

Opting for Chanel once again, Nicole wore a look from the Spring 2027 collection, but the longer I looked at it, the more I questioned whether the two halves worked together.

Close-up of Nicole Kidman's Chanel Spring 2027 dress at the LACMA Gala, showing the textured beige bodice, frayed neckline and decorative gold-tone cuff buttons.
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for LACMA

The structured, tweed-like bodice, with its frayed edges and decorative buttons, feels suited to a sophisticated daytime luncheon, while the whimsical, layered tulle skirt belongs at a ballet premiere. Individually, I can appreciate both, but together, they feel like two completely different dress codes.

Nicole Kidman turns sideways at the 2026 LACMA Gala, revealing the fitted silhouette of her Chanel Spring 2027 bodice and the cascading layers of her ivory tulle skirt.
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for LACMA

The black sandals were another styling choice that didn’t work. I would have preferred something lighter to complement the ivory tulle, although I’m not sure a different shoe would have changed my opinion of the dress.

Nicole Kidman in her Chanel Spring 2027 tulle dress shares a moment with filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, wearing a dark tuxedo, at the 2026 LACMA Art+Film Gala.
Kyle Goldberg/BFA.com

Her tousled ponytail, however, was perfect for the look. It complemented the romantic quality of the skirt while keeping the overall styling relaxed.

Nicole Kidman wears a tousled blonde ponytail and square stud earrings with her frayed-edge Chanel bodice at the 2026 LACMA Art+Film Gala.
Presley Ann/Getty Images for LACMA

I wanted to love this, and I think I would have if the bodice had been fully embellished. As it stands, Nicole wasn’t able to fully convince me.

Styled by Jason Bolden.

Chanel Spring 2027 ready-to-wear runway look featuring a fitted beige long-sleeved bodice and voluminous layered ivory tulle skirt, later worn by Nicole Kidman at the 2026 LACMA Art+Film Gala.
Chanel Spring 2027

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