LACMA Gala 2026 Trend: Thigh-High Slits

As stars poured onto the red carpet for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s 15th annual Art+Film Gala, the thigh-high slit fad was in full view. Big, dramatic cuts up the thigh have become an increasingly ubiquitous celebrity staple in 2026, the look noted earlier in October at the Academy Museum Gala with stars like Jessica Biel and Kylie Minogue hopping on the trend.

This Saturday night, a trio of big-name models – Emily Ratajkowski, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Candice Swanepoel – all wore Gucci gowns with cutouts extending well into the upper thigh.

The actress and model opted for a bridal white halter gown with a plunging neckline and asymmetrical one-shoulder strap with a silver Gucci tassel. The dress had a sort of Grecian-inspired draping, seemingly pinned up at the shoulder with a dramatic, thigh-high silt cutting up Ratajkowski’s leg with only a few inches of fabric along her hip holding the right side in place. Given her gown’s eye-catching, twisty nature, it’s no surprise Ratajkowski felt no need to accessorize further, pairing her look with minimal makeup, zero jewelry, and strappy silver sandals.

Huntington-Whiteley sported an incredibly memorable look for the night in a gown that combined modest with sultry in an almost optical illusion. In the front, her dark green gown appeared somewhat conservative with an architectural funnel neck, fitted long sleeves, and column silhouette. However, once Huntington-Whiteley turned around, the dress became almost completely backless, held together only by a single interlocking clasp with a dramatic slit cutting up the back of Huntington-Whiteley’s left leg. The model paired the look with gold statement earrings and pointed-toed black pumps with a stiletto heel.

Candice Swanepoel

The Victoria’s Secret model opted for a glimmering look for the evening. Swanepoel wore a sheer ivory fringe dress with a plunging neckline embellished with delicate crystal strings that were highly reminiscent of the famous “Urban Lights” sculpture at Getty. Her gown doubled down on the thigh-high slit trend, possessing not one but two dramatic cuts slicing all the way up to her navel. creating two triangular cutouts that accentuated her long legs. Swanepoel paired the look with no jewelry, minimal makeup, and a pair of cream-colored pointed-toe pumps.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s 15th annual Art+Film Gala brought Hollywood and the art world together on Saturday, honoring artist Vija Celmins and “Dune” director Denis Villeneuve. Leonardo DiCaprio and LACMA trustee Eva Chow returned as co-chairs, while Gucci continued its presenting sponsorship, a role it has held since the gala’s 2011 debut. Blackpink’s Rosé was tapped to perform. Proceeds support the museum’s film programming, exhibitions and educational initiatives.