The Grammy’s and Golden Globes have warmed our award season appetite and made way for the most glamorous award night of all; the Academy Awards.
Not even the last minute rain could dampen Hollywood’s glitziest nights. Hours before the event, the world’s media got into position, fans gathered by the sidelines and the countdown began for the A-lister’s arrivals.
The Oscars have given birth to some of the most memorable red-carpet moments of our time and celebrated the ingenious craftsmanship of the world’s elite designers.
The first black woman to win an Oscar, Halle Berry, graciously accepted her award in a revealing flower clad Elie Saab dress way back in 2002. Angelina Jolie showed off her now infamous leg in a black Versace gown, with Brad Pitt, in 2012. In the same year, Gwenyth Paltrow sharpened up the red carpet in a white cape dress by Tom Ford (my personal favourite). And most recently, in 2014, Lupita Nyong, highlighted Prada’s presence on the red carpet in a light blue halter neck masterpiece.
Which of these red-carpet standouts of 2015 will make their mark in style history, in years to come?
Lupita Nyong
The Queen of twirling on the red carpet; she caught our eyes when she whirled in the beaded light blue dress by Prada, last year. This custom made Calvin Klein dress, didn’t allow for a spin, but it did make for a jaw-dropping entrance. This dress will definitely be added to the most memorable moments on the red-carpet. Every single bead is a pearl, in-fact, 6000 of them. She took the biggest risk of the night by channelling her what she calls her “inner princess”, and it paid off. Let’s take a moment to applaud this.
Jennifer Aniston
Wow. Thank-you Aniston for gracing our vision with such beauty. When the word got out that Aniston was wearing Versace hot off the runway, we were expecting nothing less than extraordinary. And boy, did she deliver. Through-out the years, her style has progressed with the times, yet stayed true to her sophisticated and elegant look. This gown has hailed her preference for lean, figure hugging cuts with minimal flounce. She just keeps getting better and better. One of our favourite looks of the night.
Reese Witherspoon
Tom Ford chooses to dress only one star for the Academy Awards red carpet and this year he chose Witherspoon. This look is one that we definitely did not expect from a woman that is known for her softer, pastel looks. She surprised us with a minimalistic monochrome modern gown, with a touch of edge. It’s modern, fresh and highlighted her feminine silhouette perfectly. The weather agreed; the rain subsided, and the sun shone on her, just in time for her red carpet arrival. Side note: Witherspoon joined the #AskHerMore campaign, urging red carpet correspondents to ask female celebs more than just who they are wearing and focus in on the causes they support. Despite the nature of this particular article, we love this movement.
Margot Robbie
Neighbours, who? This Australian princess has delivered on Hollywood’s red carpet, over and over again, ever since the beginning of her whirlwind of success. The plunging neckline of the Saint Laurent gown is beautifully set off by the long sheer sleeves and the tassel necklace. Speaking of which, Robbie says the necklace is “worth more than her life”. The statement necklace of the night, is a museum piece worn by the Duchess of Windsor in the 1930s. She’s back to her statement blonde hair, this time cut into a blunt bob with a deep side part; paired with a statement matte red lip and minimal eye make-up to finish the look off beautifully. We adore you Margot.
Rosamund Pike
The best Actress Nominee has finally arrived. She gave birth only a few months ago, yet turned in one of her best looks all award season. This custom made Givenchy dress took a whopping 2,000 hours to make and we can see why. The fit is flawless; highlighting her curves superbly and the slit is perfectly placed. The detailed embroidery and textured fabric, add such rich substance to the overall look. Not everyone can pull off matching shoes, without looking overdone, yet Pike has done it like a pro. The modern day Grace Kelly.
Emma Stone
Emma Stone is probably one of our most favorite stars to see on any red carpet; her fashion risk taking always pulls off. At the recent Golden Globes, she showed us that you don’t need to be rocking a dress to make a statement on the red carpet, as she wore a sequined silver bustier and slacks with a large bow. The time the style chameleon opted for chartreuse beaded gown that transcends the 1920s; a colour only she could pull off. Alongside her nominee for Actress in a Supporting Role for Birdman, we nominate her as one of the red-carpet’s best dressed.
Jennifer Lopez
She has stunned us yet again. We expected the statement deep plunging neckline, with her assets on show, but we did not expect the ball gown silhouette. This blush coloured gown by Elie Saab Couture, complimented Lopez’s goddess-like glow. And, the beaded embellishment cascading down the bodice, over the full skirt, makes our heart sing. Such a show stopper.
Dakota Johnson
50 Shades of Red; Dakota Johnson’s innocent, vulnerable demeanour was contradicted in this sultry Saint Laurent number. Jewels cascaded down one shoulder line and her body was adorned in Forevermark jewels. She stayed true to herself by sticking with her simple ponytail and textured fringe, both of which have become her trademarks. She must have taken pointers for her first big red carpet event since the release of 50 Shades of Grey from her date; mummy Melanie Griffith, who’s a veteran on the red-carpet. Side note, mum still hasn’t seen the Blockbuster; good idea to leave it till after the awards Dakota.
Felicity Jones
She’s making waves as the newest style icon on the red-carpet scene with her consistent nostalgic looks. The British actress saluted UK design house Alexander McQueen (Sarah Burton) by representing the brand in the silvery, icey blue hue of the season. They’ve been working on this custom made creation since December, and you can tell the love was invested as each pearl was hand-sewn in the bodice. The minimal make-up would have looked great in person, however in photographs, a statement lip would have added more colour to her face. In saying that, she said she was ridden with a cold and jet-lagged from her flight; we certainly couldn’t tell.
Julianne Moore
When pictures of this beauty surfaced of her wearing a sequined emerald green Tom Ford outfit at his LA showing, we thought she’d be partnering up with him for the Academy Awards. Not the case, instead, Karl Largerfield of Chanel, custom made this walking piece of art for the Best Actress Nominee. Embellished to the max, with pearl detailing, this is not only a look that we’ll be talking about for years to come, but one that is definitely Oscar winning worthy. Can you believe she’s 54 years old?
Giuliana Rancic
After her recent appearance in Australia, we grew to love this TV personality even more. She saved her red carpet A-game for the Oscars, knocking it out of the park in this part-sheer scarlet dress by Mireille Dagher. She posted a photo on her Instagram page with the caption; “Nothing says Oscars like red”. We totally agree.
Faith Hill
She hasn’t been on the red carpet since last year’s Country Music Awards, so this appearance created quite a stylish stir. We had all the faith that she’d deliver. She was one of the first to arrive in the season’s sultry trend of plunging neckline and silver sequins; all thanks to the sparkling long sleeved J. Mendel gown. Her chic short hair (that she pulls off beautifully) and Lanvin clad hubby (Tim McGraw) proved to be the perfect accompaniments.
Gwyneth Paltrow
She wore one of the most talked about gowns at the 84th Academy Awards in 2012, in a white Tom Ford dress, with floor length cape. So, on Valentine’s Day, when she tweeted that she accepted the invitation to present at this year’s awards, we counted down until her red-carpet arrival. This year, she has given the fashion world much more to talk about, splitting fashion critic’s opinions straight down the middle. This custom made Ralph & Russo Couture number is adorned by a shoulder rosette of delicate oversized petals in gazar and organza. Is it as good as the Tom Ford number? No, not in our opinion. But, we pay respect to her unique ability to transcend fashion trends and grace the red carpet in timeliness garments that will be forever remembered.
Catt Sadler
The E! News TV personality looked the part, whilst she judged the part. This Charbel Zoe Couture dress is insane. Silver sequins and sheer panelling are a major trend this season and she made them her own, in this figure carving gown.
Jamie Chung
Talk about an entrance that is worthy of setting off fireworks. This exotic beauty represented “Big Hero 6” in a Disney like princess gown, to debut her Academy Awards presence. Her designer of choice; Yanina Couture
Lady Gaga
We never thought we’d put her on the best dressed list for any awards season, but we were pleasantly surprised by Lady Gaga this year. She’s come a long way since meat dresses; looking very demure in an Azzedine Alaia dress, that took twenty-five people, ten weeks to make. Recently engaged, her rock was covered in vibrant red gloves. Was it strategic? No. She mentioned that her look was decided upon before the ring graced her finger.
Follow Colette Werden: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest
All images: Zimbio
