The Academy Awards, more commonly known as the Oscars, has served up some of the best fashion moments in award season history. Since it was televised in 1953, its red carpet has become a global stage for Hollywood royalty to show off their sartorial prowess. One of the first to leave an impression was none other than Audrey Hepburn, who graced the 26th Academy Awards in an elegant white floral frock by Hubert de Givenchy, reimagined from an Edith Head original initially made for the film Sabrina. One iconic look soon came after another, from Barbara Streisand’s see-through Arnold Scaasi moment in 1969 and Cher’s jaw-dropping Bob Mackie ensembles to Nicole Kidman’s 1997 Dior chartreuse couture — one that upstaged Tom Cruise and put John Galliano on the map for red carpet fashion.
Over the course of the awards’ 90 year history, different faces have come to dominate the Oscars fashion scene. Aside from seasoned red carpet queens like Lady Gaga and Zendaya, notable show-stoppers in recent years also include Billy Porter, who unapologetically defied gender norms in a Christian Siriano tuxedo-top velvet gown in 2019. A year later, the actor made a bold entrance covered in gold feathers and a fresco-printed skirt inspired by Kensington Palace, a dazzling display of self-expression that once again challenged the traditional Hollywood male dress-code. Another one to make a statement through red carpet fashion was Natalie Portman, who wore a custom Dior gown and cape embroidered with the names of female directors in a protest to the all-male Best Director nominee list at the 92nd Annual Academy Awards.
With the 94th Annual Academy Awards upon us, let’s look back at some of the best red carpet fashion moments in Oscars history.
Editor
Kaitlyn LaiCredit
Lead Image: Frazer Harrison via Getty Images