When the red carpet becomes a runway.
The 2020 Oscars are less than a week away, which means it’s only a matter of days before Hollywood’s biggest and brightest stars turn the fanciful affair into a full-on fashion fantasy. Because let’s be real, the Academy Awards might be all about the best of the best in the business, but it’s also the place to make a style statement.
Halle Berry‘s gasp-worthy Elie Saab gown comes to mind. You know, the design that had a sheer top, and only covered her bust with its floral embroidery.
Another memorable fashion moment at the Oscars?
Gwyneth Paltrow‘s crisp white cape dress by Tom Ford that commanded the room as soon as she entered it. It was a drool-worthy piece, not only for its effortlessly elegant silhouette but its edgy asymmetrical structure. And you can never go wrong with a floor-length cape.
As of late, celebrities like Billy Porter, Lady Gaga and Lupita Nyong’o are just a few who aren’t afraid to push the style boundaries on the red carpet.
The Pose star nearly broke the internet after he appeared at the 2019 ceremony wearing a larger-than-life tuxedo gown by Christian Siriano. Of course, how could anyone forget Lupita’s iconic baby blue dress by Prada. Yes, the one she twirled around in, as she sashayed along the red carpet.
We could seriously go on and on about our favorite Oscars designs. So if you’re like us, take a look at the best dresses to ever hit the ceremony’s red carpet in our gallery below.
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Halle Berry
The actress’ Oscar win was unforgettable for many reasons. She was the first black woman to win the Best Actress award, which she won in 2002 for Monster’s Ball. Aside from her historical win, her Oscar-winning dress instantly became iconic and it arguably put designer Elie Saab, on the map.
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Lupita Nyong’o
The Black Panther actress always knocks it out of the park during awards season, or any season, for that matter. She wore this baby blue, custom-made Prada gown at the 86th Annual Academy Awards. This marked the first time she won the Best Supporting Actress award for her debut film 12 Years a Slave.
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Gwyneth Paltrow
The drool-worthy cape dress that shut down the red carpet for its elegant yet edgy design. It’s safe to say Tom Ford outdid himself with this number on the actress.
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Kacey Musgraves
The country singer knows how to turn heads and this bubblegum pink Giambattista Valli number was proof. From its massive ruffled hems to the billowing tulle sleeves and flashy jewel-encrusted brooch, this lewk was everything.
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Lady Gaga
The A Star is Born actress looked effortlessly elegant in a white pantsuit-dress by Brandon Maxwell. She was a vision in white, and exuded old Hollywood glamour with her coiffed hair and fresh-faced makeup.
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Viola Davis
The Oscar-winning actress stunned in this electrifying hot pink gown by Michael Kors. In addition to her bright and bold dress, she accessorized with a matching flamingo pink clutch and statement jewelry pieces.
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Ava Gardner
The silver screen siren of the Golden Age of Hollywood dazzled in an ostentatious sequins gown. As if that weren’t glamorous enough, she wore a large and lustrous tiara, white fur and gloves.
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Gemma Chan
Perfectly pink! The Crazy Rich Asians star makes a grand entrance with her bright and bold Valentino design. Plus, the added pockets are a chef’s kiss.
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Janelle Monáe
Never one to stick to the basics, the Moonlight actress made the 2017 Oscars red carpet her runway. She wore a jaw-dropping Elie Saab Haute Couture gown, which was adorned with intricate beading, lace set with feathers and an over-the-top tulle train.
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Yalitza Aparicio
The Roma actress brought a fashion fantasy to the red carpet with her dreamy and whimsical Rodarte design.
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Regina King
The Watchmen actress knows how to make a statement with a simple but sophisticated lewk.
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Hilary Swank
The 44-year-old star took home the Best Actress award for Million Dollar Baby and the award for best-dressed. Her Guy Laroche design was simple, yet striking as the silk gown featured a plunging open-back.
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Diana Ross
Diana Ross sizzled at the 54th Annual Academy Awards in a glittering red gown and lush white fur shawl.
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Billy Porter
Strike a pose! The actor and fashion icon proved why he reigns supreme on the red carpet, and this tuxedo dress is proof! He wore Christian Siriano.
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Nicole Kidman
The Big Little Lies actress always shuts down the red carpet, and this powerful red gown by Balenciaga was no different. The high-neck, sleeveless design made it simple and classic, but the dramatic bow and striking color, took it to the next level.
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Tessa Thompson
The actress took a fashion risk at the 2019 Oscars… and it most certainly paid off!
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Elizabeth Taylor
One word: Glamourous. The legendary actress knew how to work a dress, and this elegant design was no different.
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Zoe Saldana
Wearing a custom Atelier Versace design, the Guardians of the Galaxy actress stunned in her blush-colored, body-hugging gown.
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Jennifer Lopez
It’s always fun to see what daring design the 49-year-old star will wear on the red carpet. At the 2015 awards show, she kept things classic, but not boring. She wore an elegant Elie Saab dress, which featured ornate beading and a full, chiffon tulle train.
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Debbie Allen
Serving us serious glamour, Debbie Allen wowed the crowd with her performance at the 54th Annual Awards. In addition to her on-stage performance with Gregory Hines, she stunned in an eye-catching lavender gown, which featured white-beaded fringe and a thigh-high slit.
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Margot Robbie
The Aussie actress exuded old Hollywood glamour in her full-length, long-sleeve Tom Ford gown.
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Penélope Cruz
The Everybody Knows star shined as bright as the flashing lights with her blush-colored Atelier Versace gown. The design featured a chiffon bodice with an organza tulle train.
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Gina Rodriguez
The Jane the Virgin star brought the glitz and the glam to the 2018 awards show. Rodriguez hit the red carpet in a nude-colored Zuhair Murad gown, which was emblazoned with ornate beads and a billowing chiffon train.
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Salma Hayek
The Frida star stunned on the Oscars red carpet in one of the hardest colors to pull off. She wore an eye-catching ocean blue Atelier Versace gown to the star-studded event.
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Meryl Streep
The legendary star holds the record for having the most Academy Award nominations of any actor, and her 2012 ensemble was just as noteworthy as her accomplishments. She dazzled in a gold lamé gown designed by Lanvin.
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Reese Witherspoon
The Big Little Lies actress always dresses like a Southern belle, but at the 2006 awards show, she also brought her Southern charm. The star looked statuesque in her 1955 Christian Dior gown, which she found at a Paris vintage boutique. Rumor has it, the boutique owner had a tough time parting ways with it, because it allegedly once belonged to royalty.
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Julia Roberts
The Oscar-winning actress may have taken home the award in 2001 for Erin Brockovich but her satin vintage Valentino gown stole the show. The black and white number was from the fashion powerhouse’s 1982 collection.
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Audrey Hepburn
The iconic actress is known for her elegant and timeless ensembles, and her 1954 Oscars dress is the epitome of her exquisite fashion. She wore a white floral dress by Hubert de Givenchy.
Watch E!’s red carpet coverage of the 2020 Oscars Sunday, 9th Feb starting at 10pm followed by the Red Carpet Rundown: 2020 Oscars at 12:30am!