Kim Kardashian Turns 45, and Every Outfit Still Proves She Owns the Spotlight

For Kim Kardashian’s 45th birthday, we’re celebrating her iconic fashion evolution. From dazzling Met Gala gowns to sleek, sculptural streetwear, Kim has redefined what it means to make a statement with style. Over the years, she’s turned every red carpet, runway, and casual outing into a fashion moment — blending luxury, innovation, and her signature confidence. Let’s look back at some of her most unforgettable outfits that continue to inspire trends worldwide.

45th Birthday “Suit” look.

For Kim’s 45th birthday celebration in Paris, she chose Look 28 from Alexander McQueen’s Spring/Summer 1997 haute couture collection for Givenchy. The piece is a carved metallic-gold corset over a draped white tulle or under-layer skirt.

The dress was first showcased by Naomi Campbell during Paris Fashion Week in 1997.

Faceless look for 2025 Academy Museum Gala.

Kim attended the 2025 Academy Museum Gala in a dramatic couture piece by Maison Margiela that included a strapless nude corseted gown draped into flowing sleeves and a full face-covering mask. The styling was completed with a crystal-studded choker and emerald accents.

Karl Lagerfeld gown at the 2023 Met Gala.

At the 2023 Met Gala, themed “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” Kim Kardashian paid homage to the late designer by arriving in a custom Schiaparelli gown dripping with over 50,000 freshwater pearls and 16,000 crystals. The intricate ensemble featured a molded corset top and a draped skirt, complemented by a pearl choker, pearl drop earrings, and a pearl ring. This elaborate look took a team of a dozen artisans over 1,000 hours to complete.

Bright pink look for Kering Foundation Gala 2023.

Kim wore a baby-pink, body-skimming gown by Balenciaga, custom for the event, according to coverage. The look signalled a more polished philanthropic red-carpet turn — she embraced colour rather than her usual neutrals, and the gown was pure silhouette-driven. The dress hugged her curves, had long sleeves and minimal accessories, letting the shape and colour do the talking.

Marilyn Monroe dress for 2022 Met Gala.

Kim wore the actual archival dress that Marilyn Monroe famously wore, styled with a white fur-shawl. A dramatic look that generated major headlines.

Balenciaga gown for 2025 Vanity Fair.

At the March 2, 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar after-party, Kim Kardashian stepped onto the red carpet in a striking white ball gown by Balenciaga — yet not your typical satin or silk structure. The dress was crafted from Tyvek — a high-density polyethylene often used for protective wraps and packaging. Its unconventional material choice instantly elevated the gown into a talking point about risk, texture and modern couture.

Tiny waist for 2024’s Met Gala.

Kim Kardashian’s wore a silver dress by Maison Margiela couture for the 2024 Met Gala. It came with a super tight corset paired with yet another super tight tube see-through skirt, which made her have an impossibly tiny waist. She also carried a little gray cardigan to cover her shoulders, but basically everything was so tight that she could barely climb the stairs.

Luxury dress for Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda in Puglia 2023.

At the Alta Moda festivities in Puglia, Italy, Kim appeared in a dramatic gown by Dolce & Gabbana — described as maroon/off-shoulder or possibly black veiled depending on the variation. The reference to local craftsmanship and high couture (Alta Moda) meant the look was rich in texture, intricate detailing, and location-driven glamour. She aligned herself with Italian luxury house heritage. Corseted bodice, flowing skirt or cape, sheer/veil overlay in some images, minimal but bold jewelry, and extremely polished glamour.

Total grey look for DVF Awards.

At the 2025 DVF Awards in Venice, Kim was one of the honorees and selected a daring ensemble from Maison Margiela’s Fall 2025 Couture: a silvery-gray high-neck, body-hugging jumpsuit or dress with a dramatic attached cape and sheer elements. She styled it with minimal accessories and metallic-finish lip.

Her archival look for Academy Museum Gala 2024.

At the 2024 Academy Museum Gala, Kim opted for a striking archival look: a white corset from Thierry Mugler (Spring 1998 couture) worn over barely-there briefs, with a floor-length silk robe, no traditional skirt/pants. The look challenged red-carpet norms (no full dress or pants) and leaned into lingerie-as-evening wear — bold in concept as well as execution. Bone-white corset, silk robe draped off the shoulder, nude stockings, PVC heels. The styling turned runway archival into an event statement.

Leather outfit for 2025 Met Gala.

For 2025, Kim Kardashian walked the 2025 Met Gala red carpet in a resplendent crocodile leather, off-the-shoulder two-piece set by Chrome Hearts.

Oscars 2020 / Vanity Fair After-Party.

For the 2020 Oscars after-party, Kim wore a vintage beige/cream gown by Alexander McQueen (2003 “oyster dress”), reportedly a gift from her then-husband. The use of archival couture (or vintage) elevated the look into a fashion moment rather than just another gown; it showed fashion-savvy depth.
The dress was extremely form-fitting (“couldn’t sit in the car”), so the silhouette was exaggerated; hair styled in wet-look waves; neutral tones, minimal distraction.

Jean Paul Gaultier Couture Show 2022.

Kim attended the Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2022/23 show in Paris, exact design details less widely covered, but she was part of the front row. The couture show attendance underscores her presence in the highest echelons of fashion. Even if the outfit wasn’t dissected in mainstream coverage, being present in that context signals style credibility. Typically, such appearances involve high-impact couture or custom pieces, her look reinforced her silhouette-centric aesthetic and alignment with couture houses.

Total blue look for Oscars 2022 / Vanity Fair After-Party.

Kim arrived solo at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party in March 2022 wearing a neon blue body-con gown by Balenciaga, featuring extended glove-sleeves and a long train. The electric color broke from her usual neutrals; the gown’s glove-sleeves and dramatic train were showstopping. It reinforced her status as a muse for Balenciaga. Slicked-back hair, minimal accessories (silver sunglasses, black boots), letting the bold color and shape dominate.

Plunging white Gucci gown with historical jewelry for 2024 LACMA Art + Film Gala.

At the 2024 LACMA Art + Film Gala she donned a plunging white Gucci gown and wore a diamond-encrusted amethyst cross pendant previously owned by Princess Diana.

Kim Kardashian’s influence on fashion is undeniable — she’s not just following trends, she’s shaping them. From couture gowns to bold experimental silhouettes, every look tells a story of reinvention and confidence. As she celebrates her 45th birthday, one thing remains clear: Kim continues to redefine glamour on her own terms, proving that true style only gets better with time.