Katie Holmes stepped onto the American Ballet Theater Spring Gala stage in a white peplum set on May 20 in New York City—an outfit that turned a runway trend into something distinctly hers, while also reinforcing her role as an arts advocate honored at the eve
On the night of May 20 in New York City, Katie Holmes arrived at the American Ballet Theater Spring Gala and brought the peplum comeback with her—quietly, confidently, and without letting it slip back into costume territory.
Her look was a white two-piece built around a textured. spaghetti-strapped longline peplum-style top that nipped in at the waist and splayed out to well below the hips. falling over a coordinating long skirt. She kept the accessories tight and intentional: a black leather clutch, a diamond ear cuff, and a silver necklace. On her feet were Herbert Levine ‘Kiss and Tell’ cream suede mules—an easy choice for a performer known for staying label-faithful.
Holmes wasn’t only dressing for the occasion. She was being honored at the event, and she brought her mother, Kathleen. American Ballet Theater described her as “a longtime friend of the Company” and “a passionate advocate for the arts whose work reflects a deep appreciation for creativity and storytelling. ” adding that her connection to ABT “underscores a genuine love of classical ballet and a shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists.”.
The gala, an annual event, raises funds for the company as well as its education and outreach initiatives.
The styling choices weren’t made in a vacuum. The spring 2026 runways were filled with curve-waisted silhouettes. and peplums showed up in a range of directions: at Ashlyn. peplums were paired with modern sleeve shapes; at Dries Van Noten. they were playfully styled with printed board shorts. Khaite sent out sharp and cinched peplums, while Stella McCartney nodded to the Y2K era with belts. The trend has also been turning up everywhere in recent fashion conversations. with Jenna Ortega. Anne Hathaway. and Taylor Swift among those taking the peplum out of a spin.
On Holmes, the peplum landed with an elegance that felt both current and contained. It wasn’t the most expected gala silhouette. but the delicate texture of the top and skirt—and her minimal approach to accessories—helped keep the look from leaning too hard into the early ’00s corp-core origins of the trend.
Katie Holmes American Ballet Theater Spring Gala peplum fashion May 20 New York City Herbert Levine arts advocacy classical ballet