There were so many unforgettable looks at the Met Gala this year, but it was Babygirl star Nicole Kidman who had everyone doing a double take. Known for her signature strawberry-blonde waves, the Oscar-winner stepped out with a layered short cut, a striking departure from her usual look and a perfect match for the night’s tailored theme.
Wearing custom Balenciaga couture, a reinterpretation of an iconic piece from Cristóbal Balenciaga’s 1952 collection, Kidman was the picture of elegance. The strapless black gown, sculptural diamond earrings and elbow-length gloves created a regal silhouette. It was the cropped cut however, tucked behind one ear and swept with just the right amount of volume, that gave her a modern twist.
To bring the look to life, Kidman teamed up with longtime collaborator and Virtue creative director Adir Abergel, who cut and styled the new bob using a mix of Virtue, Denman, and Kristin Ess tools. Abergel’s team says the inspiration was a tailored short cut that brought out the essence of Dandyism. The stylist wanted to honor the theme by celebrating individuality, elegance, and confidence—where every detail is uniquely tailored to the person. Abergel prepped the hair with an unreleased Virtue product and snipped the cut just hours before showtime, “snipping Nicole’s hair to perfect the proportions for this ultimate tailored cut.” For shine and definition, he layered in Virtue’s Damage Reverse Serum ($60), Volumizing Primer ($40), Un-Frizz Cream ($44) and Healing Oil ($45).
It’s the first time we’ve seen the star walk a red carpet without her signature long hair and one thing’s for sure: the short style served the right dose of drama for fashion’s biggest night.
