IN PICTURES | 10 of the most memorable Oscar dresses of all time

Here's which actresses made a lasting impression with their choice of gown for one of the planet's most glamorous annual events

24 February 2019 - 00:00 By pearl boshomane tsotetsi

1. LUPITA NYONG'O IN PRADA (2014)
Everything is perfect: the sky-blue complements Nyong'o's skin tone (which can pull off any colour), the deep V (front, back, sides) is sexy without being desperate and the Alice band adds a hint of playfulness. Iconic.
2. GRACE KELLY IN EDITH HEAD (1955)
The most expensive Oscars gown at the time, this French satin, ice-blue (or is it teal?) stunner is classic, chic and oh-so-glamorous. It's no wonder Kelly lives on as a style icon long after her death.
3. ANGELINA JOLIE IN ATELIER VERSACE (2012)
The leg seen around the world. Jolie popularised the gaspingly-high thigh slit for red carpet dresses - a trend that lives on to this day.
4. JENNIFER LOPEZ IN ELIE SAAB (2015)
This champagne-coloured gown is dreamy. Lopez looks like a princess who was dipped in gold before leaving her kingdom, and the high ponytail adds youthfulness. Its simplicity means doesn't compete with the dress.
5. MARION COTILLARD IN JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER (2008)
My personal favourite. The mermaid silhouette is nothing to write home about, but the fish-scale detail on this dress is divine. Cotillard's glamorous side wave was the perfect finishing touch.
6. HALLE BERRY IN ELIE SAAB (2002)
This is a game-changer in the Oscars gown game. No wonder Berry's dress is one of the most famous to have hit the red carpet - it's sex at the top and wine-coloured drama at the bottom.
7. NICOLE KIDMAN IN BALENCIAGA (2007)
Kidman can wear anything, but this was a jaw-dropping moment even for her. That bright red looks amazing with her skin tone, the high neck is so regal, the open back is sexy and the bow is dramatic.
8. DANAI GURIRA IN GABRIELA HEARST (2018)
When you're as stunning a woman as Gurira, you don't need to do too much on the red carpet. The front of this chic and simple gown is beautiful enough, but it's really the more dramatic, structured back that sells it.
9. JESSICA CHASTAIN IN ARMANI PRIVE (2013)
The fit is perfect, the detail is gorgeous and the golden hue perfectly matches her skin tone. Classic Hollywood glamour. The kind of gown you have to zoom in on to fully appreciate.
10. OLIVIA WILDE IN VALENTINO (2016)
What an unusual and beautiful dress: the detail makes it look like an Art Deco masterpiece, the open back adds a bit of drama, and the plunging neckline and show of side boob take this look from old-school to modern...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.