For years, Hollywood has been a purveyor of glamorous fashion, from the glitz of the Oscars to the slopes of the Cannes Film Festival. Each year, celebrity attire takes center stage – from classic black and white photos of Grace Kelly at the Royal Premiere of “Rear Window” to Lady Gaga’s memorable pink gown at the 2019 Oscars. The most iconic occasions spend generations living on in the hearts and minds of fashionistas and film aficionados alike. In this piece, we’ll take a look back at some of the most memorable dresses in Hollywood history.
1. Dazzling Divas: A Look Back at the Best Red Carpet Looks of All Time
The red carpet event is the ultimate celebration of Hollywood glamour. From royal weddings and annual awards ceremonies, to film premieres and glam galas, celebrities have always brought drama and dazzle to the red carpet. We take a look back at some of the most iconic red carpet looks of all time.
No. 1: Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was the epitome of 1950s glamour, and she set the standard for the sultry red carpet look. The starlet donned her signature white halter dress at the 1954 premiere of The Seven Year Itch. The timeless and seductive silhouette will never be forgotten.
No. 2: Julia Roberts’ Pretty Woman Moment
Who can forget Julia Roberts’s iconic 1990 Academy Awards appearance? The actress stepped onto the red carpet wearing a classic white, off-the-shoulder gown. She became an instant fashion icon, injecting a dose of glamour and romance to the awards show.
No.3: Audrey Hepburn’s Black on White
Audrey Hepburn’s look at the 1961 Academy Awards earned her a well-deserved Oscar for Best Dressed. The star wore a billowing black dress with a white lace bodice. She finished the look with a white headband and a timeless up-do. Hepburn was a true fashion trailblazer.
No.4: Lady Gaga’s Glamorous Glitter
When Lady Gaga arrived at the 2019 Oscars, she rocked a custom-made periwinkle gown. She created a head-turning black carpet look with her oversized bow, dramatic train, and glittering bodice. The starlet grabbed everyone’s attention with her idiosyncratic style.
Back in the day, the red carpet was all about the drama and glamour. Today, stars still bring the heat with their fashion-forward designs. From screen goddesses to modern-day divas, the red carpet has always been the place for celebrities to make a statement.
2. Tying the Knot in Style: Iconic Wedding Gowns of the Silver Screen
There’s something special about a grand Hollywood wedding. From the intricate gowns to the sparkling jewelry, it’s a day when no expense is spared. Over the years, we’ve seen some iconic wedding looks from various leading ladies of the silver screen. Here’s a look at some of the most memorable dresses and ensembles:
- Grace Kelly: The famed US-princess wore a design by Helen Rose, that perfectly embodied classic 1950’s bridal glamour. With her regal full-length skirt and detachable train, the dress gave a nod to traditional European elegance.
- Julia Roberts: For her nuptials to Lyle Lovett, Julia opted for a simplistic look, wearing an ivory cotton lawn Victorian dress and a straw hat. It was a simple yet beautiful vintage ensemble.
- Gwyneth Paltrow: In her low-key wedding to Chris Martin, Gwyneth merrily waved convention. Instead of a white dress, she wore a pink silk chiffon Narciso Rodriguez gown and kissed her new husband in the garden.
From old-school Hollywood glamour to modern touches of individual flair, these three ladies pulled off unique and stylish looks for their special day. Whether you draw inspiration from their dresses to create your own bridal look, or mimic their confidence to guide your decision-making, these iconic examples offer plenty of style ideas for brides-to-be!
3. Glitz and Glamour: Notable Red Carpet Standouts through the Decades
It’s no secret that every year, the red carpet is ablaze with glamorous ensembles. From the golden era of Hollywood to the timeless appeal of classic Glam, these moments will go down in history for their sheer presence. Whether it was an iconic look or an avant-garde take on a classic, these standouts will go remembered for years to come:
- Greta Garbo, 1940’s – The epitome of Hollywood glamour, Greta Garbo’s ethereal white satin gown and distinctive headscarf defined the look for a generation of movie stars.
- Marilyn Monroe, 1950’s – With her voluminous blonde hair and hourglass figure, Marilyn Monroe was one of the key style icons of the 50’s. Her pale pink dress and kiss curls remain timeless in the world of fashion.
- Farrah Fawcett, 1970’s – In the 70’s, Farrah Fawcett drew all eyes with her signature feathered hair and red-hot one-shoulder gown. The look she gave off was one of powerful elegance and quiet sophistication.
- Michelle Pfeiffer, 1980’s – A classic beauty in a classic cut dress, Michelle Pfeiffer’s 80’s glamour was all about timeless sophistication. With her deep-V neckline, strong shoulders and structured bodice, this timeless style is still worn today.
- Cher, 1990’s – A style icon of the 90’s, Cher’s classic head-wraps and structured gowns still define chic style today. Her emerald green gown from the 1995 Oscars is an unforgettable look.
Obviously, these are just a few of the countless fabulous red carpet looks throughout the decades. Every year, the stars come out to play, dazzling us with their looks and timeless style
4. A Tale of Two Tuxedos: Timeless Suit Statements on the Red Carpet
The tuxedo can be a mysterious wardrobe choice, with its power to transform celebrities into icons. The well-fitted tux acts as shorthand for sophistication, and a red carpet event creates the ideal canvas for contrasts to be drawn in expression and style.
Take this year’s Emmy Awards for an eye-opening example. In the middle of a classic sea of black-tie ensembles, Jason Bateman appeared in a look that was enlivened with a white lapel and a single button closure. He made a chic statement as well as marked the red carpet’s first major stand-out of the evening.
Meanwhile, Sterling K. Brown took a unique approach as well, having pre-customized his own tuxedo design. It featured a nod to slim fit styling, with its slim lapels, paired with French cuffs and no pocket flaps. Ultimately the look exuded suave while still being timelessly polished.
- Jason Bateman: White lapel, single-button suit.
- Sterling K. Brown: Slim fit tuxedo with French cuffs and no pocket flaps.
As two divergent angles on the black-suited look, these two actors showed off just how flexible a classic tuxedo can be. However, they both stayed within its boundaries, leading onlookers to create memorable moments without deviating too far from the standard. It’s why the tuxedo is a timeless godfather of fashion: its core style remains the same, while individual tweaks can make it relevant and powerful on the modern red carpets.
5. It’s All in the Details: A Closer Look at the Most Memorable Red Carpet Ensembles
Last night’s red carpet fashion show was an absolute eye-candy with stars shining and strutting their stuff. We take a closer look now at some of the most memorable red carpet ensembles.
- Lizzo: Turning heads in a sparkling sheer jumpsuit, Lizzo stunned everyone with her zebra-spot hair bow, satin gloves, and thigh-high boots.
- Billy Porter: Making a statement in an iconic mullet-style tuxedo and red-velvet train, Porter’s sheer sleeves and deep-v neckline created chills for people around the world.
- Billy Eilish: Serving us monochromatic vibes in a lime-green Chanel pantsuit, Eilish expressed herself with an emerald-green accent nail and glittery eyeshadow.
The stars showed out for the event, with some surprising fashion choices. Billy Porter graced the carpet in a monochromatic grey suit and a matching silk quilted turban, while Sophia Vergara arrived in a custom emerald-green and white ballgown with plenty of crystals.
The most memorable ensembles, however, were Jane Fonda’s black-and-white sequin jumpsuit combined with a bejeweled headdress, and Cardi B’s vintage Mugler beaded and feathered dress, with an extra touch of three tiers of blush-pink marabou.
From unforgettable stories to empowering messages, historic and iconic red-carpet moments have stirred moments of awe and wonder. Although the dresses and trends may fade, the memories of these iconic red-carpet dresses live on to inspire and excite us for years to come.
