The Academy Museum Gala 2025 held on October 18 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles brought together Hollywood’s most glamorous stars. While many dazzled in couture, several high-profile celebrities drew criticism for their questionable fashion choices.

At the center of the storm was Kim Kardashian, who led what fashion critics are calling this year’s “worst dressed” list.

The 45-year-old star arrived in a Maison Margiela off-shoulder gown paired with a nude full-face mask and layered diamond chokers. The look, described by Daily Mail as “unnervingly tight and eerie,” was widely compared to a Halloween costume rather than an elegant gala ensemble.

Fashion critics and netizens alike remarked that the gown’s V-shaped stitching distorted her body shape and that the heavy jewelry made her appear “uncomfortably restricted.”
Others suggested that Kim might have been inspired by her ex-husband Kanye West’s avant-garde fashion experiments, which similarly emphasized anonymity and shock value.

Other Fashion Missteps

  • Elle Fanning wore a Balenciaga gown featuring a dramatic red feather skirt that clashed with her otherwise elegant upper silhouette. Critics called the ensemble “awkwardly constructed,” with Daily Mail noting that the feathers appeared “hastily glued on” inside photos.
  • Cara Delevingne, dressed in Tamara Ralph Couture, stood out for all the wrong reasons. The ruffled neckline was described as “asymmetrical and excessive,” overwhelming the otherwise sleek design.
  • Naomi Watts also failed to impress in a Balenciaga dress with added feathers along the hemline. Commentators said the embellishments disrupted what could have been a simple, sophisticated look.
  • Michelle Monaghan appeared in an oversized Carolina Herrera Spring/Summer 2026 gown that critics said “swallowed her frame.” Her stark makeup dark brows, deep red lipstick, and pale skin added to the unflattering overall effect.
  • Zoë Kravitz opted for a voluminous Saint Laurent dress that, paired with minimal expression, resulted in what many called a “forgettable appearance.”
  • Jenna Ortega, known for her signature gothic style, wore a Grace Ling two-piece set featuring a metal leaf top and brown maxi skirt. While the top was praised for its creativity, the skirt and messy hairstyle were considered underwhelming.
  • Mikey Madison’s see-through Dior gown drew criticism for looking “cheaply made,” with a waist string that “served no purpose.”
  • Rebecca Hall turned heads in a body-paint–inspired gown, but the contrasting sections failed to create a cohesive aesthetic.
  • Kristen Wiig’s Chanel look was deemed “too corporate,” resembling office wear rather than red carpet couture.
  • Charli XCX took a bold approach with her no-underwear Saint Laurent gown, but the heavy fabric and dark tone made the outfit look “somber and weighed down.”

While many celebrities took risks in the name of high fashion, this year’s Academy Museum Gala sparked debate about the line between artistic expression and excess.
Kim Kardashian’s avant-garde ensemble, in particular, has been labeled by some as a “fashion disaster” but by others as “performance art.”

Still, even in controversy, Kim remains the most talked-about star on the red carpet, a testament to her continued dominance in both fashion and pop culture discourse.