Oscars 2025: 11 iconic fashion moments from past ceremonies

Barbra Streisand wore a black pantsuit by Arnold Scaasi to the 41st Academy Awards, during which she and Katharine Hepburn had tied for the Best Actress award. The ensemble featured flared legs, tuxedo cuffs, and a large black bowtie. In a slight blunder, the outfit turned sheer under the bright lights, a moment Streisand recalls with amusement.

Cher showed up to the 45th Academy Awards in a gold two-piece number designed by Bob Mackie. The singer wore a jewel-encrusted outfit that showed off her bare midriff and flattered her slender figure. She wore her long black hair down and loose, matching it with gold hoop earrings and sharp pink nails.

At the 69th Academy Awards, Salma Hayek looked like absolute royalty in a crystal-embellished pink Armani slip dress. The then-rising actress accessorised her updo with a tiara, along with silver sandals and a matching satin handbag. She completed the look with shimmery green eyeshadow.

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Though this Ralph Lauren look received mixed reviews at the time, Gwyneth Paltrow’s appearance at the 71st Academy Awards was credited with reviving pink in the fashion world. The actress, who took home the Best Actress award for her role in Shakespeare in Love, paired the look with matching pink Manolo Blahnik sandals and jewellery from Harry Winston.

Halle Berry made history in this deep-red dress by Elie Saab when she became the first African-American woman to win the award for Best Actress at the 74th Academy Awards. The semi-sheer ensemble consisted of an asymmetrical taffeta skirt and a mesh bodice embroidered with floral appliqués. In March 2023, the Academy Museum displayed the said dress.

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Lupita Nyong’o looked like she stepped out of a fairy tale in a custom-designed powder blue gown by Prada, which she wore to the 86th Academy Awards. The powder blue silk number featured a plunging neckline and a flowing pleated skirt with beaded embellishments designed to resemble champagne bubbles. Nyong’o won the Best Supporting Actress award for her performance in 12 Years a Slave.

Gemma Chan made a dramatic statement at the 91st Academy Awards, decked out in a voluminous pink, pleated taffeta dress by Valentino. The floor-length gown featured a ruffled high collar and pockets. The Crazy Rich Asians star also wore a rhinestone hairpin and jewellery from Bulgari.

In another history-making turn of events, Michelle Yeoh brought home the Best Actress award, becoming the first woman of Asian descent to win the prize. She wore a Dior haute couture gown designed exclusively for her by Maria Grazia Chiuri. It consisted of ivory silk organza bedecked with white feathers. The resulting look was nothing short of heavenly.

The always-stylish Zendaya is no stranger to heads constantly turning in her direction and her stylist, Law Roach, made sure all eyes were on the starlet as she graced the 2024 Oscars red carpet. She channelled Old Hollywood glamour in a silk pink and gunmetal Armani Privé dress, paired with pink gold high jewellery pieces from Bulgari including a bracelet, ring, and earrings.

First-time Oscar nominee for Best Supporting Actress Ariana Grande pulled up to the Dolby Theatre in not one, but two custom Schiaparelli creations. Her first look consisted of a blush pink bustier dress with a peplum waist—a nod to her role as Glinda the Good. She changed into a strapless ruby slipper-red sequin gown and matching shoes for her “Defying Gravity” duet with co-star Cynthia Erivo. Though she didn’t end up winning the award, she clearly had two of the most popular looks of the night.

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