I’ll be honest : I don’t really like awards ceremonies, at least not ones like the Oscars. It doesn’t matter if they try to be funny, “woke”, or serious ceremonies. At the end of the day, it never feels like a celebration of art and artists, it just feels like an echo chamber full of the rich and famous patting themselves on the back.
As an aspiring artist who loves watching unique (read : weird) indie movies, it’s depressing… And as someone who has a passing interest in fashion, the red carpet is no better, full of bland “pretty looks” and basic suits every time. There are a few notable exceptions though - so here’s my list of 5 truly iconic red carpet looks, which bring an energy I wish the whole Oscars ceremony had.
5. Bjork's Infamous Swan Dress
I was today years old when I learned that an egg was involved? Bjork’s swan dress is flirty somehow, in a way that makes me feel deeply uncomfortable. This is probably the first look that people will mention when talking about stand-out red carpet looks, and I get it - it’s super borderline insane, after all. There’s no way it would ever go unnoticed, and it definitely matches Bjork’s... special vibe.
The main reason why I wouldn’t rank this outfit any higher is because it’s a little too out there. It’s an obvious way to make a statement, breaking with fashion and social conventions in an unfortunately conventional way. It worked, but I personally prefer looks that manage to play with the lines rather than entirely outside of them.
4. Billy Porter's Tuxedo Gown
This is closer to what I’m looking for when I talk about iconic red carpet looks. Billy Porter is known for wearing interesting pieces to awards ceremonies at this point. Is this his best look? Not even close. But compared to other male stars’ Oscar outfits, it’s a huge improvement.
A man wearing a dress isn’t that ground-breaking anymore, but it’s still unexpected enough to be noteworthy. To be honest, this look would have failed if it’d just been a ballgown - by combining the silhouettes of a gown and a tuxedo, it manages to feel like it wants to make a fashion statement rather than just a social one. Altogether, it’s a solid look, even if its subversiveness is still pretty mainstream.
3. Celine Dion's Backwards Suit
This is where we finally start to see real fashion. Do I love the idea of a backward suit? No. Did Celine Dion do it perfectly? Absolutely yes. Not to get too technical here, but Dion has a dramatic body type according to Kibbe, and this look fits that perfectly : long clean lines, powerful blocky geometric shapes, and a simple monochromatic design.
It’s an interesting take on a classic suit look, beautifully tailored and precisely chosen for Dion’s body shape. It plays with some fashion rules while keeping in mind the basics, creating a look that shakes things up without sacrificing style. The more I think about it, the more obsessed I am.
2. Florence Pugh's Short-Shorts Ballgown
Now this!!! It’s almost impossible to explain how magical this outfit is to me. When you first see this look, you might assume it’s just another ballgown, but then the shorts! I feel like calling a look “playful” is a bit overdone, but how else can you describe it?
The ballgown silhouette is still there, so there’s an air of elegance, and yet the split front just under the bust is reminiscent of some flirty lingerie… and then the shorts! This isn’t an outfit, it’s a journey, combining different styles and moods without losing cohesion. The hair and jewelry aren’t anything special, but I’ll never forget this dress. The only reason I hate it is because I know I could never pull it off.
1. Anything Cher Wears
This might seem like a weird choice after I said that Bjork’s outfit was too obvious to rank higher on this list but hear me out : Bjork was trying to make a statement, but Cher is just like this. She’s an icon and she knows it. She doesn’t wear her clothes to please or offend others, she wears clothes that make her look and feel good and that’s the end of the story.
To me, this is the essence of a real artist. Not the flashiness, but the desire to just express oneself. These looks are Cher and Cher is these looks. The clothes are just an extension of her personality and presence - even if you didn’t know who Cher was, you’d figure it out pretty quickly just looking at these outfits.
Honestly, God bless Cher. Invite her to every awards ceremony from now on, even if she isn’t nominated. Better yet, let her host the shows. Maybe if there was a little less pomp and circumstance and a little more pure Cher-ness, people might bother to start watching again.
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