Oscar’s Top Ten Most Memorable Gowns

Although the Academy Awards are about movies, some of the most memorable moments each year are all about fashion. With the Oscars just days away, we’re running down the most fabulous, and flub-ulous, gowns from Oscar’s past in chronological order…

Audrey Hepburn — In 1954, the fashion icon won a Best Actress Oscar for her role in “Roman Holiday.” Wearing an elegant floral belted gown, she preceded Adrien Brody’s headline-making-impromptu-on-stage-kiss by over half a century! She was so excited to win, that she planted one on her award presenter, then-Academy president, Jean Hersholt. Later that night, she temporarily misplaced her award and was lucky enough to find it in the ladies room, where she no doubt spent a moment admiring her delicate and utterly fabulous… dress. Click here to see the dress.

Elizabeth Taylor — In 1970, this Oscar fixture won critical praise by wearing one of her most memorable gowns — a violet colored, chiffon dress that famously matched her eye shadow. Also designed by Edith Head, the dress had a plunging neckline that showed off not only her ample cleavage, but her huge diamond necklace and famous husband, Richard Burton. He was a nominee that year for Best Actor. Click here to see the dress.

Cher — In 1988, Cher celebrated one of her many memorable fashion moments. She wore a black, revealing Bob Mackie gown as she won her Best Actress award for “Moonstruck.” This barely-there dress was one of many Mackie designs Cher has worn throughout the years. Their flare and penchant for drama may find them at the end of many critical pens, but they are anything but forgettable. Click here to see the dress.

Lizzy Gardiner — In 1995, Gardiner and fellow Australian Tim Chapple won the Best Costume Design Oscar for “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.” But, what is more memorable than the clothes in the film is what Gardiner wore to the show — a dress made from 254 gold American Express cards. Amex provided the cards that had her name embossed on them and were each missing one number (to make them unusable). The dress was later auctioned off for charity for more than $12,000. Click here to see the dress.

Sharon Stone — In 1996, this MENSA member with the 154 IQ paired a black Gap T-shirt with a black Valentino skirt. Famous fashion critic Mr. Blackwell said her outfit “wasn’t cute or funny,” but it certainly was memorable. Susan Sarandon beat her out for the Best Actress statue, but no one remembers her dress. Stone is now seen as a fashion icon and her red carpet appearances, Gap T-shirts or designer chic, are always widely anticipated. Click here to see the outfit.

Gwyneth Paltrow — When she won her Best Actress Oscar for “Shakespeare In Love” in 1999, Paltrow dawned a pink spaghetti strapped taffeta dress designed by Ralph Lauren. Critics complained that it looked like she was headed for the prom, but she certainly stole the spotlight that year as an Oscar queen. Click here to see the dress.

Julia Roberts — In 2001, Julia Roberts was a lock for Best Actress for her role in “Erin Brockovich.” Perhaps feeling confident in her chances, Roberts planned her outfit perfectly. She wore a vintage Valentino black dress with white piping. Her up-do and the classic frock helped bring out her huge smile when she indeed did pick up the statue. It has been said that this was the first dress she tried on. Click here to see the dress.

Bjork — Julia wasn’t the only memorable fashion statement in 2001. Bjork, the eccentric, Icelandic chanteuse who was there to perform her nominated song, “I’ve Seen It All,” wore what is arguably the most unique dress in Oscar history. Designed by Marjan Pejoski, her swan shaped dress complete with feathers and bird neck halter, certainly inspired water cooler fodder. Click here to see the dress. Later that year, Emmy host Ellen DeGeneres got a huge laugh when she walked out sporting a knock off. Click here to see Ellen’s take.

Jessica Alba — Although she has never been nominated, in 2006, this starlet certainly made her mark during her first Academy Awards appearance, in a gold Versace dress. Her skin and hair perfectly matched the gown’s form-fitting top and embroidered skirt. Her appearance thrust the statuesque beauty to the public forefront and she has since been a constant target for the paparazzi and in the blogosphere. Click here to see the dress.

Click here for this year’s Best Picture Nominees.