Heidi Klum Marks 25th Halloween Party with Elaborate Severed Hand Prosthetic

Key points

• Heidi Klum hosted her 25th annual Halloween party on October 31, 2026, at Cathédrale Restaurant at Moxy East Village in New York City.
• Klum’s costume was a life-sized replica of her left hand, featuring a bloody wrist, her wedding ring, and a finger tattoo reading 'Tom' in honor of her husband.
• The special effects makeup and prosthetics were designed by Emmy winner Mike Marino, with Klum spending up to 10 hours on the application process.
• Klum arrived at the venue in a truck covered in red 'DANGER' signs, assisted by actors dressed in yellow hazmat suits.
• The event was sponsored by Apothic and Butterfinger, with guests served limited-edition blood bag-themed wine collectibles.
• Tom Kaulitz, who has typically joined Klum in recent years, was absent from the party due to a tour schedule.

Background

Klum’s annual Halloween party has become a major celebrity event over the past two decades, known for its elaborate and often grotesque costumes. Previous notable looks include a hissing Medusa in 2025, a realistic earthworm in 2022, and Jessica Rabbit in 2015. The 2026 event marked the 25th anniversary of the tradition, with Klum ramping up the complexity of her prosthetics in recent years, often spending months on planning and hours on application. The party has consistently drawn a high-profile guest list, including actors, models, and influencers, and has been sponsored by various brands in recent years.

How outlets are covering it

Page Six emphasized the dramatic entrance and the specific details of the costume, including the bloody wrist and the wedding ring, while noting the absence of Tom Kaulitz. E! News focused on the broader guest list and the efforts of attendees like James Charles, who spent seven and a half hours on his Yzma costume, and highlighted Klum’s explanation of how her body fit into the hand. USA Today provided a preview of the pre-party on October 29, 2026, featuring Klum with her children and Sofía Vergara, and noted Klum’s clue that her body would fit into an unusual shape. BuzzFeed ranked Klum’s 25 best Halloween costumes, placing the 2022 worm look at number one and the 2025 Medusa at number two, suggesting the 2026 severed hand look would likely rank highly due to its complexity and realism. All sources agreed on the location, date, and sponsors of the event, but differed in their emphasis on the costume’s design versus the guest list and the pre-party events.

Why it matters

The event underscores the cultural significance of Heidi Klum’s Halloween party as a major annual spectacle in the entertainment industry, showcasing the intersection of celebrity culture, special effects artistry, and brand marketing. The 25th anniversary milestone highlights the longevity and evolution of the event, with Klum’s costumes becoming increasingly elaborate and realistic over the years. The absence of Tom Kaulitz, a regular participant in recent years, adds a layer of intrigue to the event, while the high-profile guest list and sponsorships demonstrate the party’s status as a significant social and media event. The event also reflects the broader trend of celebrities using Halloween as a platform for creative expression and brand partnerships, with the blood bag-themed wine collectibles serving as a unique marketing tactic.

What to watch

The 2026 Halloween party has concluded, but the costumes and red carpet moments will likely be analyzed and ranked in the coming weeks, with media outlets and fans debating the best looks of the night. Klum may share behind-the-scenes content or interviews discussing the design process of the severed hand costume, potentially featuring special effects artist Mike Marino. The event’s sponsors, Apothic and Butterfinger, may leverage the party’s visibility for further marketing campaigns, particularly around the holiday season. Future Halloween parties may see Klum continue to push the boundaries of prosthetic design, with attendees potentially inspired by the 2026 looks to create their own elaborate costumes. The absence of Tom Kaulitz may also prompt speculation about his future participation in the event, given his typical involvement in recent years.