Kim Kardashian flaunts Elizabeth Taylor’s $400K earrings days after unsuccessful bid for $10M Birkin bag

PARIS, FRANCE: Kim Kardashian oozed old Hollywood glamour during Balenciaga’s Fall 2025 couture show in Paris, channeling her idol Elizabeth Taylor with a striking look that fused fashion history and cinematic nostalgia.

The 44-year-old reality star shared behind-the-scenes glimpses from the event on Saturday, July 12, dazzling followers with iconic jewelry once owned by the late actress and a gown that mirrored one of Taylor’s most memorable film costumes.

Kardashian’s appearance also marked a farewell to Balenciaga’s creative director Demna Gvasalia, whose final show was attended by an A-list audience and packed with symbolic design choices.

Kim Kardashian channels Elizabeth Taylor in vintage diamond earrings and satin slip at Balenciaga’s couture show

The main highlight of Kardashian’s runway look was a pair of chandelier diamond earrings originally gifted to Taylor by her husband Mike Todd in 1957, shortly before his untimely death in March 1958.

The earrings, valued at approximately $400,000, were loaned by celebrity jeweler Lorraine Schwartz for the occasion.

Dressed in a cream satin slip dress reminiscent of the one Taylor wore in the 1958 film 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof', Kardashian paid homage to the actress’s unforgettable portrayal of Maggie "The Cat," a role that earned Taylor a Best Actress Oscar nomination.

Matching satin pumps and a white fur coat completed the ensemble, the latter added by designer Demna for a dramatic touch.

The outfit was unveiled during Demna's final Balenciaga show, which Kardashian honored with a one-word caption, “DEMNA.” One of the shared photos featured the original concept sketch drawn for Kardashian’s approval before the event.

Kim Kardashian wears Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic diamond necklace, a gift from Richard Burton

Beyond the earrings, Kardashian also wore a multi-carat diamond necklace once gifted to Elizabeth Taylor by her then-husband Richard Burton.

 The 'American Horror Story' actress has long expressed her admiration for Taylor, who famously wrote, “I feel as though I’m only the custodian of my jewelry. When I die and they go off to auction I hope whoever buys them gives them a really good home.”

Elizabeth Taylor’s storied love life was reflected in her legendary jewelry collection, including a multi-carat diamond necklace from Richard Burton and chandelier earrings from Mike Todd.

The guest list for the show included celebrities like Lauren Sanchez, Lorde, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, and Watts’ daughter Kai, adding further glamour to the already high-profile event. Photos from rehearsals offered a glimpse of Kardashian perfecting her walk ahead of the show.

Critics slam Kim Kardashian’s Elizabeth Taylor tribute: 'She’s certainly no Elizabeth Taylor!'

While Kim Kardashian’s tribute to Elizabeth Taylor drew admiration from some, a wave of criticism emerged across Instagram and the Daily Mail comment section. Many users took issue with her use of fur and her attempt to emulate the Hollywood legend.

“This just reminds me of what you did to Marilyn’s Dress! Hell Naw,” one user wrote. Another added, “It’s not giving what ya think.”

Several comments directly criticized Kardashian’s attempt to channel Taylor, with one user stating, “She’s certainly no Elizabeth Taylor!” Another wrote, “Sorry Kim stop wearing things that belonged to women that were icon’s you are trash and have brought nothing good to the world, what will you be remembered for i ask.”

More criticism followed in the same vein. “I don’t know why this foolish woman thinks that wearing objects that used to belong to icons somehow conflates her with them,” one comment read. Another added, “Liz Taylor was exquisite. She had a beauty unlike any other. If she knew about this she’d roll over in her grave.”

“Kim would not know what to do if she actually had to dress herself. She thinks she is a style icon. When all she does is wear other celebrities' famous looks,” one user claimed. Another wrote, “Liz Taylor and classy she will never ever be. If playing dress up makes her believe her delusion, then so be it.”

Skepticism was also cast on the authenticity of the jewelry. “That’s not Liz’s necklace… or not all of it. Liz had her 60+ carat PEAR diamond on her necklace, not that football-shaped thing. I think it’s a knockoff,” one user alleged.

Others mocked Kardashian’s wealth and questioned the taste behind the tribute. “More money than sense!! Unfortunately for KK, money can buy you lots of things, but it can’t buy you class!! I bet Elizabeth Taylor would be turning in her grave if she saw a reality star was wearing her beautiful Jewellery Collection!!”

“Elizabeth Taylor was a natural beauty and a great actress. KK can try to emulate her but doesn’t even come close,” one wrote. Another bluntly concluded, “She really thinks she’s Elizabeth Taylor, what a joke.”

And one particularly sharp comment added, “Elizabeth Taylor looked much better in her slip and had a lot more class than wannabe Kim Kardashian.”

Kim Kardashian sparks rumors over $10.1M Birkin bag but loses to Japanese bidder at historic auction

On Saturday, July 11, Kardashian shared an Instagram Story featuring an AI-generated version of herself smashing a glass case holding the original Birkin bag, inspired by the late actress and model Jane Birkin. The video, originally posted by AI meme account RickDick, was captioned “birKIM.”

The post quickly fueled rumors, especially as Kardashian followed it up with screenshots of text messages from friends and fans asking if she had bought the bag, which sold at auction on Friday, July 10, for €8.6 million ($10.1 million).

“Are u the winner of the first Birkin bag?” one person texted, while another wrote, “Please tell me you bought that Birkin. Would be BAD ASS.” Another message read, “Kim for real did you buy the original Birkin??? Or should I stop blaming you every time I lose an auction?”

Despite the buzz, Kardashian did not win the historic auction. The prized bag was ultimately purchased by Valuence Japan, Inc, located in Minato-ku, Tokyo, with the winning bid placed through Maiko Ichikawa, Country Head of Sotheby’s Japan.

According to the Associated Press, the auction opened at $1 million and drew intense competition, with the final bids coming in at €6.2 million, $6.5 million, and $6.8 million before closing at $10.1 million.

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