Award shows recognize more than just music and films. It’s also a time to recognize fashion. The one topic talked about almost as much as the winners of an award show is who wore what the best on the red carpet. As award show season comes and goes there are looks that are easily forgotten and other’s that will never escape our memory. So here are the five red carpet dresses that should have won awards all on their own.
2002 Oscars – Halle Berry
It made sense for Halle Berry to wear an iconic dress for an iconic night. Back in 2002, Berry wore this gown by Elie Saab as she became the first African American woman to accept an Oscar for “Best Actress.” Berry took a risk by wearing this sheer dress with detailed embroidery over the chest to the Academy Awards, this look was unusual compared to dresses worn in years past. However, it was risk praised by many.
2005 Oscars – Hilary Swank
This dress that Hilary Swank wore to the 2005 Academy Awards is almost as memorable as her performance in “Million Dollar Baby” that won her an Oscar for “Best Actress.” This dress by Guy Laroche, was stunning on Swank as it showed off her figure with a modest high neckline. However, what really stole the show was the open back leading into a delicate train.
2014 Oscars – Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita Nyong’o has more than one look that could debatably be named the best red carpet looks ever. However, it seems fitting to select the unforgettable dress from the evening that seemed to skyrocket Nyong’o into an extremely successful career. At the 2014 Academy Awards Nyong’o won an Oscar for “Best Supporting Actress” in this ice blue Prada gown. This dress embodies the idea that less is more. Although the gown didn’t overflow with sparkles and embroidery, it still became one of the most recognized red carpet looks of all time.
2014 Met Gala – Blake Lively
How would this list be complete without a photo of Blake Lively gracing the red carpet? This photo of Lively at the Met Gala in 2014 still reappears on social media as it is a hard look to beat none the less forget. Lively channeled her inner Hollywood glam in this beaded gown by Gucci.
2015 Met Gala – Rihanna
Rihanna looked nothing short of royalty at the Met Gala in 2015. The dress is Chinese couture made by Guo Pei. It was a fur-trimmed cape with miles of flora and a head piece that made the look complete. The dress was so long that Rihanna couldn’t go anywhere without two or three people there to help carry the train.
Although it isn’t a tangible award, all of these women won the recognition of having the best style.