Kim Kardashian recently stunned fans by sharing photos of herself swimming in the ocean while wearing a rare Alexander McQueen gown that was part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s “Savage Beauty” exhibition. The images, posted from Rio de Janeiro, have sparked discussions about fashion preservation and celebrity antics.
On Sunday, November 23, 2025, Kim Kardashian uploaded a series of Instagram photos showing her immersed in the waters off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She wore a delicate, nude-toned chiffon dress from Alexander McQueen’s spring 2003 collection, which she captioned “shipwrecked in rio.” The reality star was in the city for the premiere of her Hulu legal drama “All’s Fair,” but her ocean dip in high fashion quickly became the talk of social media.
The gown in question is a historic piece from McQueen’s iconic collection, originally inspired by oceanic themes such as pirates and drowned maidens. During the 2003 runway show, a video played depicting a model sinking to the seabed in the very same dress, a moment Kardashian appeared to recreate in her photoshoot. This dress was later selected for display at the Met Costume Institute’s 2011 retrospective “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty,” highlighting its cultural and artistic significance.
Kardashian’s choice to wear the vintage dress in the ocean raised eyebrows, as such garments are typically preserved for archival purposes rather than subjected to saltwater and waves. The dress is one of only a few ever produced, sourced from One of a Kind Archive, a favorite among celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Charli XCX. This isn’t the first time Kardashian has drawn from this McQueen collection; she previously wore the brand’s Oyster dress to the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, a gift from her then-husband Kanye West.
The photos elicited mixed reactions online, with many fans praising her bold style using fire emojis and recalling a past incident where she lost a diamond earring in the water. Her sister Khloé Kardashian commented on the post, humorously questioning her sanity for swimming in the dark ocean at night, writing, “You are such a freak for being in that water at night! It’s SUPER DARK outside in those pictures!! Are you well?”
Beyond the fashion statement, Kardashian’s trip to Rio was primarily for professional reasons, promoting “All’s Fair,” which has already been renewed for a second season despite mixed critical reception. She walked the red carpet with co-stars Niecy Nash, Sarah Paulson, and Glenn Close, but the ocean photoshoot overshadowed the premiere in online discussions.
The incident underscores the ongoing tension between celebrity self-expression and the preservation of fashion history. While Kardashian’s actions may be seen as disrespectful to the garment’s legacy, they also bring attention to McQueen’s work and the stories behind iconic designs. It remains to be seen how the dress will fare after its aquatic adventure, but Kardashian likely has access to top-tier restoration services.
In conclusion, Kim Kardashian’s ocean dip in a historic McQueen gown blends high fashion with viral moments, reflecting her influence in pop culture. As she continues to push boundaries, both in her career and personal style, such events keep her firmly in the public eye, for better or worse.
