Some of the most memorable looks in fashion history happened during the 90 years of the Academy Awards. From Lauren Hutton‘s rainbow gown and Audrey Hepburn‘s auction-worthy Givenchy frocks to the gown that made Jennifer Lawrence trip on stage, we’re taking a look back at the most memorable looks from the biggest night in Hollywood.
This article originally appeared on Harper’s BAZAAR US.
https://www.harpersbazaar.com.sg/gallery/best-oscar-dresses-all-time/
62 Of The Best Oscar Dresses Of All Time
1950
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Joan Collins Oscars 1950
Joan Collins clearly turned heads in this bubble hem gown—and in the '50s no formal look was complete without elbow-length gloves.
1954
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Audrey Hepburn Oscars 1954
An icon on and off the screen, Audrey Hepburn often worked with the house of Givenchy for her red carpet appearances. This Givenchy gown still stands the test of time.
1955
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Grace Kelly Oscars 1955
Winning Best Actress for The Country Girl, Grace Kelly proved that a smile is your best accessory for a vibrant Givenchy gown.
1955
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Lauren Bacall Oscars 1955
Lauren Bacall is an Old Hollywood icon, from her coveted fashion sense to her hairstyles, and even relationships, arriving on the arm of Humphrey Bogart for the 1955 Oscars.
1958
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Debbie Reynolds Oscars 1958
Nominated for her role in The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Debbie Reynolds brought the princess look to the red carpet and the stage for a performance during the ceremony.
1958
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Sophia Loren Oscars 1958
Sophia Loren often dressed to show off her enviable curves, like this figure-hugging satin floral dress—diamond earrings and necklace complete the glamorous look.
1960
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Elizabeth Taylor Oscars 1960
While Elizabeth Taylor did coin the phrase, "diamonds are a girl's best friend," she kept her accessories to the minimal and really let her white lace dress do all the talking.
1968
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Faye Dunaway Oscars 1968
Faye Dunaway brought the drama in a black ruffled wrap dress, and slicked back hair.
1969
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Barbra Streisand Oscars 1969
Barbra Streisand won best actress for Funny Girl, and also caused commotion in this sheer mod Arnold Scaasi dress.
1970
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Lola Falana Oscars 1970
Lola Falana sure knew how to accessorize—a feather boa was the perfect touch to add a little drama to a classic black gown.
1975
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Audrey Hepburn Oscars 1975
While Audrey Hepburn was largely staying out of the limelight to raise her family, she still made an appearance at the 1975 Oscars, relying on the old faithful, Givenchy, to create another memorable look.
1975
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Lauren Hutton Oscars 1975
Lauren Hutton was an example of the relaxed glamour of the '70s in her rainbow Halston gown and chubby fur jacket.
1978
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Farrah Fawcett Oscars 1978
Farrah Fawcett was the golden girl of the ceremony, her gilded Stephen Burrows gown spawned a million replicas for the disco set.
1978
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Goldie Hawn Oscars 1978
Goldie Hawn was just begining her ascent to Hollywood royalty, her metallic wrap dress exuded effortless glamour girl.
1982
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Debbie Allen Oscars 1982
Bold shoulders, thigh-high slit, all-over embellishments, Debbie Allen represented the best of '80s fashion at the 1982 awards ceremony.
1982
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Diane Ross Oscars 1982
No one could match Diana Ross's level of glamour girl. The diva rocked a crimson red sequin gown, with a white fur stole to the '82 ceremony.
1988
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Daryl Hannah Oscars 1988
While the popularity of elbow-length gloves was waning, they made even more of a statement when Daryl Hannah paired them with her glamorous gold dress and long blonde waves.
1990
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Winona Ryder Oscars 1990
Winona Ryder was timeless in this black strapless gown for the 1990 Academy Awards.
1993
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Cindy Crawford Oscars 1993
What's a supermodel to wear to her first Academy Awards? A body-hugging Herve Leger dress to show off her enviable figure if you're Cindy Crawford.
1994
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Whitney Houston Oscars 1994
Whitney Houston attended the '94 Oscars as a presenter, standing out in a sea of beautiful gowns in louche white suiting.
1995
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Elizabeth Hurley Oscars 1995
Elizabeth Hurley was the quintessential Versace girl, the model and actress stole the show in this sparkling curve-hugging dress.
1996
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Mira Sorvino Oscars 1996
As if Mira Sorvino knew she would be the winner of the night, the actress aptly dressed as a princess for her big Academy win for The Mighty Aphrodite.
1998
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Sharon Stone Oscars 1998
Sharon Stone walked her own path at the '98 oscars when she pared a lavender satin Vera Wang skirt with a mens button down shirt.
1999
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Gwyneth Paltrow Oscars 1999
Not only did Gwyneth Paltrow cement her status as an award-winning actress at this Academy Awards, but she also cemented her status as a style icon in the making.
2001
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Renee Zellweger Oscars 2001
Nominated for her role in Bridget Jones's Diary, Renee Zellweger debuted her return to her svelte figure in a sunny yellow vintage Jean Dessès dress.
2001
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Julia Roberts Oscars 2001
Julia Roberts took home the big award for her role in Erin Brockovich in this timeless Valentino gown.
2002
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Halle Berry Oscars 2002
Becoming the first African American woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress is certainly a moment in time to remember, as was Halle Berry's Elie Saab partially sheer floral gown.
2003
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Kate Hudson Oscars 2003
Kate Hudson is Hollywood royalty. She was tapped as a presenter in 2003, but looked ready to take home the gold in this champagne Atelier Versace gown.
2004
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Charlize Theron Oscars 2004
Charlize Theron won big in 2004 for Monster with her Dior gown sparkling against her tanned skin.
2006
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Michelle Williams Oscars 2006
Michelle Williams's saffron Vera Wang dress has become one of the most memorable fashion moments. The actress attended with her then-boyfriend, the late Heath Ledger, who was nominated for his role in Brokeback Mountain, where they both met.
2006
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Reese Witherspoon Oscars 2006
The vintage route has always proven to be a sartorial success—like Reese Witherspoon in vintage Christian Dior when she took home the best actress award for Walk the Line.
2007
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Nicole Kidman Oscars 2007
Nicole Kidman's Balenciaga gown was the style equivalent to "business in the front, party in the back" with the exquisite bow draping from her neck into a train behind her.
2008
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Marion Cotillard Oscars 2008
In a sea of tulle and crystal embellished gowns, Marion Cotillard stood out on the red carpet in a Jean Paul Gaultier dress that looked as though it was literally made of fish scales.
2009
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Anne Hathaway Oscars 2009
Anne Hathaway was statuesque in an opal pailette covered Armani Privé gown at the 2009 ceremony when she was nominated for Rachel Getting Married.
2009
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Penelope Cruz Oscars 2009
Penelope Cruz channeled a fairytale princess in a vintage Pierre Balmain gown when she won Best Supporting Actress for Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
2010
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Zoe Saldana Oscars 2010
More was more for Zoe Saldana at the 2010 Oscars where she wore this Givenchy Haute Couture with crystal embellished bodice with an ombre tulle ruffled skirt.
2011
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Cate Blanchett Oscars 2011
Cate Blanchett is always one to take a risk on the red carpet, and she won the hearts of the fashion set in this Givenchy Haute Couture confection.
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Nicole Kidman Oscars 2011
Nicole Kidman in Christian Dior.
2012
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Meryl Streep Oscars 2012
Lanvin was always a go-to for Meryl Streep, and this gilded number was quite bold for the actress who always took a minimal approach to style. Streep also took home the gold for The Iron Lady that year.
2012
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Michelle Williams Oscars 2012
Nominated for Best Actress for My Week With Marilyn, Michelle Williams brought the peplum back in this red tulle Louis Vuitton gown and matching lip.
2012
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Rooney Mara Oscars 2012
Rooney Mara had a strong debut at her first Academy Awards, nominated for her role in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the Hollywood It girl wore a one-of-a-kind Givenchy Haute Couture gown.
2012
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Angelina Jolie Oscars 2012
The dress that spawned a million memes. Angeline Jolie's strong stance in her Atelier Versace gown with her left leg became known as "Angie leg."
2012
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Gwyneth Paltrow Oscars 2012
Gwyneth Paltrow pioneered the caped trend at the 2012 Academy Awards in this Tom Ford, which became one of the biggest fashion trends from outerwear to cocktail dresses.
2012
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Octavia Spencer Oscars 2012
Octavia Spencer sparkled in Tadashi Shoji when she accepted her Best Supporting Actress award for The Help in 2012.
2013
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Jennifer Aniston Oscars 2013
While the attention is always on the nominees, it was hard not to notice presenter Jennifer Aniston in this crimson Valentino Haute Couture gown.
2013
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Jennifer Lawrence Oscars 2013
Since becoming the face of Dior in 2012, the French brand has dressed Jennifer Lawrence for all the important occasions in her life—including her 2013 Oscar win. And who could forget her graceful fall as she made her way up to the stage to accept her award?
2013
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Jessica Chastain Oscars 2013
Jessica Chastain channeled Old Hollywood in this embellished Armani Prive gown with sweetheart neckline and soft waves.
2014
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Lupita Nyong’o Oscars 2014
In the span of a year Lupita Nyong'o became a style icon. The actress described her custom Prada dress color as "Nairobi blue" in honor of where she grew up in Kenya.
2015
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Zendaya Oscars 2015
While Zendaya's Oscars debut in this gorgeous Vivienne Westwood number became a little overshadowed when a fashion critic made a racially-insensitive comment about her hair— the young starlet took the opportunity to stand up for herself, and those who are on the receiving end of racist remarks.
2015
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Reese Witherspoon Oscars 2015
Sometimes simple is best, and Reese Witherspoon proved that in this high-contrast Tom Ford dress.
2015
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Lupita Nyong’o Oscars 2015
Following her baby-blue Prada dress that she won an Oscar in, she followed it up with this intricate pearl-covered Calvin Klein Collection gown.
2016
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Lady Gaga Oscars 2016
It's not often that you see a jumpsuit at the Academy Awards, but if anyone can get away with it, it's certainly rule breaker Lady Gaga. Upon first glance her Brandon Maxwell-designed jumpsuit still had the look of a haute couture gown.
2016
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Cate Blanchett Oscars 2016
Cate Blanchett is known for taking risks on the red carpet. Her 3-d floral Armani Prive gown was one to remember.
2016
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Charlize Theron Oscars 2016
Charlize Theron and Dior go hand-in-hand, the seasoned actress has worked with the French house for years, appearing in their J'adore Dior fragrance ad. This red number was simple yet left a mark on the red carpet.
2016
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Jennifer Lawrence Oscars 2016
Jennifer Lawrence and Dior have been a match made in sartorial heaven since the two began working together in 2012. This lace and tulle confection which she wore for her Joy nomination was another one for the books.
2017
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Sofia Boutella Oscars 2017
Newcomer Sofia Boutella brought the shine to the red carpet in this sequin and feathered gown from Chanel Haute Couture, cementing her status as one to watch.
2018
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Saoirse Ronan Oscars 2018
The Best Actress nominee Saoirse Ronan threw a nod to Old Hollywood in this baby pink strapless gown, with an oversized bow in the back.
2019
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Jennifer Lopez Oscars 2019
We bow down to this disco ball of a human, in a metallic embroidered mirror mosaic long-sleeved gown by Tom Ford. It's all glamour for the most glam night of the year.
2019
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Laura Harrier Oscars 2019
Laura Harrier brought the capital F fashion to the red carpet in an ethical and eco-responsible Louis Vuitton creation. The gown was custom made in silk, embroidered with glass beads, Swarovski crystal shards, and sequins.
2019
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Lady Gaga Oscars 2019
Lady Gaga channelled Audrey Hepburn in a breath-taking, custom, sculptural black gown by Alexander McQueen. She paired the look with a 128-carat Tiffany diamond necklace and perfectly Gaga elbow-length black leather gloves.
2019
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Kacey Musgraves Oscars 2019
Even in a sea of pink on the Oscars red carpet, Kacey Musgraves was a standout in this layered tulle Giambattista Valli dress with a crystal belt at the waist. The singer wears all that volume like a couture dream.
2019
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Charlize Theron Oscars 2019
Charlize Theron stepped out in a freshly chopped dark bob and a backless, dusty blue long-sleeved Dior gown. She accessorized the look with BVLGARI’s Serpenti collection, including a white gold double necklace with a matching bracelet, and a diamond necklace of over 75 carats. Bling, bling.