There’s a nostalgic thread connecting the red-carpet dresses we’ve seen so far in 2025, whether at the Beverly Hilton, BAFTA, or the Golden Globes. At the Golden Globes, gowns harkened back to the Golden Age of Hollywood. Ariana Grande wore a 1966 Givenchy column reminiscent of Hubert and Hepburn’s golden era. Zendaya’s saffron Louis Vuitton gown with a 31-carat Bulgari Paraíba tourmaline evoked the styles of Joyce Bryant and Elizabeth Taylor. Selena Gomez’s ice-blue Prada sheath and wrapper, reminiscent of Jackie Kennedy’s South Lawn attire, exuded elegance.
However, this conservative mood can be attributed, at least in part, to the volatility of 2025. The Golden Globes, the kickoff for the annual awards race, were held just a day before the wildfires broke out in Los Angeles and a fortnight before Trump’s second inauguration. In some ways, this restraint feels refreshing after years of methodical and revealing dressing. On the other hand, it seems risk-averse to the point of being regressive. We desperately need a Björk-inspired moment, complete with a swan’s neck gown, and its male counterpart. (Colman Domingo can only carry so many red carpet appearances on his shoulders.)
As we eagerly anticipate the 2025 Oscars on March 2nd, Vogue takes a look back at the stars who made a statement on red carpets in the past.
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2000: Winona Ryder
If I had to encapsulate the fashion at the 72nd Academy Awards in just two words, they could be “Midwestern prom.” Lilac and lavender dominated the color palette, while paillette-studded bodices and peculiar pashmina-like wraps added to the unique ambiance. Fortunately, Winona Ryder graced the red carpet in a strapless Pauline Trigère design from the 1940s. In an interview with Vogue in 2024, she shared that she had worn the dress multiple times because of its beauty and even wore it without the cape once. Chloë Sevigny’s dress has also stood the test of time: an Alber Elbaz for Yves Saint Laurent design complemented by Bulgari jewels and her first pair of Manolos. HM
Mirek Towski
2001: Björk
Arguably the most iconic Oscars look of all time, Björk’s swan dress will forever be etched in fashion history books. Designed by Marjan Pejoski, the white tulle minidress, adorned with a swan’s neck draped gracefully over the Icelandic singer’s shoulders, was met with mixed reactions. While fashion pundit Steven Cojocaru dismissed it as “probably one of the dumbest things I’ve ever seen,” Björk embraced the look wholeheartedly, even laying a trail of eggs down the red carpet. In the end, it was Björk who emerged victorious in this fashion showdown. EC
Steve Granitzv
2002: Halle Berry
In 2002, Halle Berry made history as the first Black woman to win the prestigious Best Actress in a Leading Role award for her performance in Monster’s Ball. In this heartwarming film, she portrayed a waitress who falls in love with her husband’s hangman, even though she knows it’s a lie. As Berry gracefully made her way to the stage, the audience erupted in thunderous applause, standing in awe of her talent and grace. In her iconic Elie Saab gown, its silk taffeta train trailing behind her, Berry delivered a heartfelt speech, acknowledging the significance of the moment. She emphasized that this victory was not just hers but for every nameless, faceless woman of color who had been overlooked and underrepresented in the entertainment industry. Berry’s words resonated deeply, as she expressed gratitude for being a part of the tapestry of her life. In 2024, she rewore the same gown as part of Saab’s grand celebration, honoring the legacy of the renowned designer and the impact of Berry’s historic win.
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2003: Julianne Moore
When people reminisce about iconic Tom Ford red carpet moments, it’s usually about the designer’s highly acclaimed tenure at Gucci. However, in 2003, Julianne Moore made a compelling argument for the commotion surrounding Ford’s time at another Kering stablemate, Yves Saint Laurent. Stepping onto the red carpet in a strapless, crucifix-shaped green column gown, Moore embodied the essence of a femme fatale with a touch of frou-frou—a signature style of Mr. Ford’s work for the house. MS
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2004: Angelina Jolie
Before becoming one half of the iconic couple Brangelina, Angelina Jolie had already established herself as a global superstar. Fresh from her Oscar win for Best Actress for her role in Girl, Interrupted and the massive success of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, she had solidified her status as a Hollywood icon. At the 2004 Academy Awards ceremony, Jolie graced the red carpet in a stunning white satin gown that has since become a legendary piece of fashion history. Inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s iconic silk dress from The Seven Year Itch, this gown epitomized Old Hollywood glamour and continues to inspire red carpet fashion trends to this day. Notably, Sydney Sweeney recently revived this style for the 2024 Oscars, making it a truly remarkable full circle moment in fashion history.
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2005: Hilary Swank
Hilary Swank, who won the Academy Award for Best Actress twice, once for “Boys Don’t Cry” in 2000 and again for “Million Dollar Baby” in 2005, also made a name for itself as a face of Calvin Klein during the early 2000s. However, the fashion industry was surprised when Swank arrived at the 77th Academy Awards wearing a backless Guy Laroche dress made of clinging and ruched fabric in an Atlantic blue colorway. It turned out that Swank had been collaborating with Calvin Klein’s creative director, Francisco Costa, on an Oscars gown inspired by Giovanni Boldini and John Singer Sargent’s portraits of “Madame X.” However, Swank made a last-minute change of heart and opted for the Laroche dress after feeling cold feet. Despite the unexpected change, the dress proved to be a resounding success.
Christopher Polk
2006: Michelle Williams
Nearly two decades have passed, yet Michelle Williams’s saffron-yellow Vera Wang dress remains etched in my memory. In contrast to the ostentatious gowns of today, it’s challenging to pinpoint the specific reason why this particular look captivated the public’s imagination in such a profound manner. However, its understated elegance, coupled with the impeccable fit and the harmonious color combination, undoubtedly contributed to its undeniable success.
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2007: Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet’s nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Sarah Pierce, a disenfranchised intellectual struggling to adapt to the role of a housewife, in the 2007 film Little Children, was a significant moment. To celebrate this achievement, she graced the Oscars with a stunning Grecian-draped Valentino dress in a refreshing shade of mint-green silk. This choice was made at the suggestion of her then 16-year-old daughter, Mia Threapleton, and it showcased Winslet’s appreciation for rewearing past looks. Notably, she repeated the same Armani Privé gown she wore at the 2016 SAG Awards at the 2025 BAFTAs. Despite this impressive appearance, it would take another two years before Winslet finally won her first statuette, which she received in a slate-grey Saint Laurent gown.
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2008: Tilda Swinton
High-concept fashion and red carpet events don’t always align, but Tilda Swinton is the exception. At the 2008 Academy Awards, the Scottish actress graced the red carpet in a stunning black velvet gown by Alber Elbaz for Lanvin. While some critics criticized the look, calling it “a shroud,” Swinton stood out amidst a sea of frilly ballgowns. Her unique choice even made an impact on the main stage when she won an award for her supporting role in Michael Clayton.
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2009: Nicole Kidman
Five years after her Oscar-winning performance as Virginia Woolf in The Hours, Nicole Kidman graced the Oscars stage in 2009 to present the Best Actress award to Kate Winslet. Dressed in an ethereal feathered L’Wren Scott gown, Nicole’s choice seemed like a more mature interpretation of the Baz Luhrmann aesthetic. If Satine hadn’t met her untimely demise at the Moulin Rouge, this is precisely the kind of feathered masterpiece she might have worn on her wedding day.
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2010: Diane Kruger
Diane Kruger’s look at this year’s red carpet was the standout exception. Nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Inglourious Basterds, the model-turned-actor wore a Chanel Haute Couture dress that exuded a contemporary interpretation of Cecil Beaton’s designs for the Edwardian-era Ascot scene in My Fair Lady. Bravo, Dover, and Diane!
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2011: Natalie Portman
Attending the 83rd Academy Awards while pregnant with her first child, Natalie Portman showcased her expertise in maternity fashion on the red carpet. Her deep purple, off-shoulder Rodarte gown, adorned with ruched detailing at the bust, was a perfect fit for the year’s Best Actress winner (for her spine-tingling performance in Black Swan) and stands as one of her most iconic Oscar looks to date.
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2012: Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie’s right leg gained almost as much fame as she herself due to the strapless and cinch-waisted Atelier Versace dress she wore to present the award for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2012 Oscars. The gown, of course, was beautiful, but it’s perhaps best remembered as one of the first instances of fashion and meme culture colliding. The image of Jolie’s leg bombed vaulted the now-defunct Twitter account @AngiesRightLeg to over half a million followers. And to think, she chose that number simply by picking a piece of paper from a hat
Gregg DeGuire
2013: Anne Hathaway
Back in 2012, Anne Hathaway had a dream of playing Fantine in Tom Hooper’s blockbuster adaptation of Les Misérables. The following year, her dream came true when she won the Best Supporting Actress award at the Dolby Theatre. To celebrate her victory, she wore a crisp, sugar-pink Prada column dress with a banded waist. The dress’s silhouette resembled the golden mantlepiece decoration she took home that evening. To complete her look, she wore a garland of extravagant diamonds slung casually around her neck, a gift from Tiffany & Co. From selling her teeth to glistening on the red carpet, Fantine truly transformed into a glamorous character!
Gregg DeGuire
2014: Naomi Watts
A year after her nomination for Best Actress for the extremely harrowing and heart-wrenching The Impossible, Naomi Watts graced the 2014 Academy Awards in a sleek white Calvin Klein gown. While it was a departure from her survival chic look in The Impossible, it exuded a much more Hollywood glamour. With radiant success, she embodied the ill-fated dream that her wide-eyed Mulholland Drive character so fervently pursued, but with far less sinister consequences.
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2015: Cate Blanchett
The most captivating looks graced the Dolby Theatre in 2015, predominantly in monochrome hues. Julianne Moore dazzled in an iridescent Chanel column adorned with an astonishing 80,000 sequins by Karl Lagerfeld. Lupita Nyong’o also made a statement in a Calvin Klein design complemented by over 5,000 natural pearls. However, Cate Blanchett’s look truly captivated the audience: a silk velvet gown by John Galliano, who had recently taken over as the creative director of Maison Margiela, was paired with an aquamarine, diamond, and turquoise bib by Tiffany & Co.
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2016: Naomi Watts
An honorable mention must go to Cate Blanchett’s pastel-blue, floral-adorned Armani Privé dress this year. However, Naomi Watts’s mermaid-inspired gown, also by Armani Privé, deserves your attention as well. While sequins are a popular choice on the Oscars red carpet, it’s easy to fall into cliché territory. Watts’s midnight-blue and purple ombré column gown, which resembled fish scales in the most aesthetically pleasing way, offered a refreshing alternative.
Jeff Kravitz
2017: Sofia Boutella
Sofia Boutella, the Algerian actress, was compared to a “very sparkly broom” at the 2017 Oscars by a journalist from the renowned fashion publication, The Business Insider. While the comparison wasn’t entirely inaccurate, as the glittering spring/summer 2017 Chanel Haute Couture column did indeed feature debris-gathering plumes, it failed to convey the grace and elegance with which the outfit was worn.
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2018: Mary J Blige
At the 90th Academy Awards, Mary J. Blige deviated from her usual style when she arrived at the ceremony in a sleek updo and a gown by Atelier Versace. The dress, with its asymmetric, slipped-off shoulder loops, hand-encrusted bodice, and sweeping train, was meticulously crafted to suit the measurements of one of contemporary culture’s most celebrated winners. Although she missed out on the two Academy Awards she was nominated for in Mudbound, this dress showcased her unique style and grace.
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2019: Gemma Chan
Gemma Chan made a refreshing change from the usual black gowns and minimalist silhouettes at the 2019 Oscars. Despite the now-overused hue of hot pink still being a trend, Gemma embraced it boldly. In a voluminous hot pink Valentino Haute Couture gown, Gemma showcased that sometimes, going overboard with fashion can be incredibly stylish.
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2020: Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe’s 2020 red carpet appearance, adorned with an intergalactic Ralph Lauren dress and a Midsommar-inspired musical number, showcased approximately 150,000 crystals, 500 hours of meticulous craftsmanship, and 1.5 metric tonnes of confidence. Another standout from that year, though controversial, was Margot Robbie’s Haute Couture gown from 1994. This exquisite creation, plucked from Chanel’s Parisian archive, bears a striking resemblance to a design originally worn by Claudia Schiffer on the runway. The chiffon bustier is intricately set with an enormous circular lapis lazuli ring encircled by pearls, exuding a distinctly “Lacroix, darling, Lacroix!” aesthetic.
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2021: Zendaya
Zendaya has graced the red carpet with several memorable fashion moments in recent years. However, this sunshine-yellow gown by Valentino stands out as a true standout. Drawing inspiration from Cher’s iconic ab-baring, criss-cross gown from 1970 (notice Zendaya’s bum-skimming hair), this look pays homage to the past while maintaining a contemporary touch.
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2022: Uma Thurman
Uma Thurman’s arrival at the 2022 Oscars in a simple yet elegant black Bottega Veneta column skirt paired with a white silk shirt created a sense of calm amidst the vibrant and funky prom dresses adorning the red carpet. This look subtly referenced the button-up and black trousers she wore in 1994’s Pulp Fiction, for which she won Best Supporting Actress. This nostalgic nod led to an on-stage reunion with her Pulp Fiction castmates, John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson.
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2023: Rihanna
As you’ll undoubtedly recall, in 2023, Rihanna embarked on a solo mission to redefine pregnancy fashion, proudly showcasing her growing baby bump while steadfastly maintaining her unique style. This era reached its zenith when she graced the Oscars’ red carpet that year, wearing a figure-hugging chocolate jersey dress crafted by Peter Mulier for Alaïa.
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2024: Carey Mulligan
Carey Mulligan, in her iconic Maestro-inspired Balenciaga gown, declared it her favorite dress. If I had this in my wardrobe, it would undoubtedly be mine as well. The striking monochrome look, complemented by black opera gloves and Boucheron jewels, exuded an undeniable sense of elegance and sophistication. As I gaze upon this captivating image, I can’t help but contemplate revisiting my 2017 bob hairstyle.
SOURCE: Vogue
