Memorable Oscar Dresses

Who made their mark at one of the planet’s most glamorous annual events? By Pearl Boshomane Tsotetsi

Marion Cotillard in Jean-Paul Gaultier (2008)

My personal favourite. The mermaid silhouette is nothing to write home about, but the fish-scale detail on this dress is divine. The back of the dress is worth Googling, and Cotillard’s glamorous side wave was the perfect finishing touch.

Grace Kelly in Edith Head (1955)

The most expensive Oscars gown at the time, this French satin, ice-blue (or is it teal?) stunner is classic, chic and oh-so-glamorous. It’s no wonder Kelly lives on as a style icon long after her death.

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace (2012)

The leg seen around the world. Jolie popularised the gaspingly-high thigh slit for red carpet dresses – a trend that lives on to this day.

Danai Gurira in Gabriela Hearst (2018)

When you’re as stunning a woman as Gurira, you don’t need to do too much on the red carpet. The front of this chic and simple gown is beautiful enough, but it’s really the more dramatic, structured back that sells it.

Lupita Nyong’o in Prada (2014)

Everything is perfect: the skyblue complements Nyong’o’s skin tone (which can pull off any colour), the deep V (front, back, sides) is sexy without being desperate and the Alice band adds a hint of playfulness. Iconic.

Jessica Chastain in Armani Privé (2013)

The fit is perfect, the detail is gorgeous and the golden hue perfectly matches her skin tone. Classic Hollywood glamour. The kind of gown you have to Google and zoom in on to fully appreciate.

Jennifer Lopez in Elie Saab (2015)

This champagne-coloured gown is dreamy. Lopez looks like a princess who was dipped in gold before leaving her kingdom, and the high ponytail adds youthfulness. Its simplicity means doesn’t compete with the dress.

Nicole Kidman in Balenciaga (2007)

Kidman can wear anything, but this was a jaw-dropping moment even for her. That bright red looks amazing with her skin tone, the high neck is so regal, the open back is sexy and the bow is dramatic.

Olivia Wilde in Valentino (2016)

What an unusual and beautiful dress: the detail makes it look like an Art Deco masterpiece, the open back adds a bit of drama, and the plunging neckline and show of side boob take this look from old-school to modern.

Halle Berry in Elie Saab (2002)

This is a gamechanger in the Oscars gown game. No wonder Berry’s dress is one of the most famous to have hit the red carpet – it’s sex at the top and winecoloured drama at the bottom.