*Collaborative post.
The Oscars has to be up there as one of the most scrutinised red-carpet events when it comes to fashion. Over the years, actresses have dazzled in Dior, looked elegant in Elie Saab and wowed in Vera Wang. Who knows what this year’s crop’s will be wearing and even though it’s not an official award, it’s always the go-to topic at the water cooler post-ceremony and you can bet on the Oscars on Betfair. While we speculate over who will look hot – and who will not (eek!) – let’s take a look back at the red carpet over the past few years.
2017 – Emma Stone in Givenchy
Emma Stone’s stylist revealed that it took a team of 11 designers and 1,700 hours to create her bespoke beaded wonder for the 2017 Academy Awards – and the result was pretty incredible. The golden screen goddess looked amazing in her shimmering 1920s style flapper dress and it was a fitting tribute to La La Land, the film for which, she won Best Actress. Believe it or not, Stone was the first woman to win the coveted Best Actress while wearing a Givenchy gown, since Audrey Hepburn in 1954.
2014 – Lupita Nyong’o in Prada
Best Supporting Actress for her role in 12 Years a Slave, Lupita Nyong’o very much had a Cinderella moment is her floaty pale blue Prada dress with beaded pearl headband combo. In the year that followed, Nyong’o became a style icon – but best of all, she paid homage to her roots, describing her custom-made dress as “Nairobi blue”.
2013 – Jennifer Lawrence in Dior
All eyes were on Jennifer Lawrence when she went up to receive her Best Actress award for Silver Linings Playbookin 2013, and she gracefully fell up the stairs. But prior to that, all eyes were on Jennifer Lawrence as she took the red carpet in the ivory gown, courtesy of Dior – with whom, she’s had a glistening partnership since 2012. Unlike other custom-made designs, J-Law simply tried this on that morning: “I just woke up and tried on the dress, and it fit, thank God!” she said matter-of-factly. “Then I took a shower – that’s what I did. And I got my hair and make-up done. And then I came to the Oscars” she told Vogue.
2012 – Angelina Jolie in Versace
How could we forget Angelina Jolie in that famous strapless black dress by Versace? That dramatic thigh-high slit was shown off in every photo opportunity, with the actress becoming the subject of memes, photobombs and even a Twitter account. ‘Angie’s leg’ was actually a thing. Not one to usually draw attention to herself at awards ceremonies, Jolie’s bold stance certainly took people by surprise – but was also the subject of much mocking, particularly by the screenwriters of The Descendants.
2009 – Penelope Cruz in Balmain
No stranger to the glamour of red-carpet events, Penelope Cruz could – and possibly should – feature in every ‘best dressed’ list going. But one stand-out dress has to be the vintage Pierre Balmain gown she wore to the 2009 Academy Awards, which channelled a fairy tale princess – and also saw her bag the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
2006 – Michelle Williams in Vera Wang
Yellow is one of those colours that so few can pull off, but Michelle Williams looked every inch the bold beauty at the 2006 Academy Awards. With a pleated neckline and long train, Williams decided to go all-out, teaming the saffron frock with a bright red lip. It’s become one of the most memorable Oscar dresses of all-time and with good reason. The actress had actually attended the ceremony with then-boyfriend, the late Heath Ledger, who received a Best Actor nomination for Brokeback Mountain.