Kent Mechanic Applies Paint Finish to Fibreglass Breastplate Worn by Kim Kardashian at Met Gala

A mechanic from Lydd, Kent, woke up the day after the 2026 Met Gala to find his spray-painting work featured on one of the evening's most talked-about outfits. Martyn Smith, owner of MPS Body & Paint, had applied the burnt orange finish to a fibreglass breastplate worn by Kim Kardashian. The piece was a recreation of a 1960s work by pop artist Alan Jones, of whom Kardashian is a massive fan.

Designers Keir Malem and Patrick Whitaker brought Smith into the project after Kardashian requested the artwork be made as a breastplate rather than a full sculpture. The pair, who live in Lydd and have studios in London, were former customers who had used Smith's garage services.

Smith repaired their car a few years ago and they remembered his skills with paint on materials beyond automotive work.

Smith was initially told only that the breastplate was for a very famous celebrity and would be worn at a large event. He guessed the celebrity might be Madonna, Gal Gadot, or Kim Kardashian. After he finished the job, Malem and Whitaker collected it and revealed the client on the condition he keep it secret until after the event.

"I thought maybe Madonna or Gal Gadot, someone like that. " He did not know the date or what the Met Gala was when he completed the work.

The breastplate arrived at Smith's shop in primer. He filled tiny pinholes and mould lines in the fibreglass with fine filler and smoothed it down. The finished piece was gun finished and not polished.

Smith treated the breastplate job like a test and made sure it was perfect. He charged his normal going rate for the work, which was less than a thousand pounds. He has been self-employed for 16 years.

Smith's sister and her daughter stayed up to watch the 2026 Met Gala and messaged him that Kim Kardashian was wearing the breastplate. The post drew widespread attention and Smith appeared on the front page of newspapers. "I woke up the next day to loads of photos of her wearing it," Smith said.

"I was like, 'Oh, my God. " He later watched clips of the 2026 Met Gala because he knew Kim Kardashian was involved. He added that credit for the design goes to Alan Jones and the designers, while he handled the final paint finish.

Smith and the designers tagged their names on some posts but have not heard directly from Kim Kardashian. GB News reported that Smith is enjoying the attention but finds it tiring while trying to continue his normal work. He said other designers might now approach him and that the publicity could help his local car business through word-of-mouth in pubs and among friends.

Smith has expressed hope that Kardashian will get in touch.