In collaboration with High Life: Living the Good Life, VOICE OF ASIA is proud to present timeless articles from the archives, reproduced digitally for your reading pleasure. Originally published in High Life Volume 2 in 2016, we take a look at some of the styles Hollywood stars have worn to the red carpet.
Throughout the age of the golden and silver screen, fashion statements on the red carpet have always been just as important as the accolades the celebrities were achieving at any awards ceremony. Celebrities have risen to fame just by what they wore while walking the red carpet, and the glamour of wearing custom-designed masterpieces, created by top-notch designers, lives on and on. HIGH Life takes a walk down memory lane on the red carpet by looking back at some of the most unforgettable fashion choices seen over the years. These movie stars and entertainers don’t let the stage or the golden screen limit their creativity. From dresses that made history to suits that simply turned our world upside down, these looks are nothing short of amazing and still set the media abuzz even after all these years.
Britney Spears & Justin Timberlake
Denim is oftentimes regarded as the most versatile material, with outfits ranging from the everyday jeans, to jackets and sometimes even bags. We could never forget one of the most iconic displays of denim at the 2001 Grammy Awards by alltime favourite couple of the 90’s, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, who fearlessly brought street to the red carpet, and did it ever so glamorously. The famously celebrated sweethearts both donned head-to-toe denim ensembles while walking the red carpet at the awards show almost 15 years ago.
This elevation of denim has been criticized and celebrated heavily and in equal proportions by the tabloids, TV programmes and the general public alike. However, true to the old adage that imitation is the highest form of flattery, the years have seen this look recreated time and time again. Katy Perry paid homage to this unforgettable ensemble alongside Riff Raff at the 2014 VMAs while celebrity stylist Monica Rose dressed her two children in miniature replicas of the pairs’ statement outfit as costumes for Halloween last year, proving once and for all that there are no rules that apply to the immortalisation of daring fashion statements.
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie has marvelled us time and time again with her outlandish roles in films like Girl Interrupted, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Mr & Mrs Smith to name a few. She has made a name for herself both on and off the screen, being actively involved in various organisations dedicated to humanitarian aid, children’s education rights and women’s rights. One thing for certain however, is that Angelina does not abide by regularly acknowledged fashion dos and don’ts, having once walked the red carpet flanked by her ex-husband, Billy Bob Thornton, with vials of their blood hanging from necklaces around their necks. Angelina has been known to make fascinating fashion choices on the red carpet, evolving from leather, tattoos and long black hair to more elegant and sultry numbers as the years rolled by.
On the red carpet of the 2012 Oscar Awards, Angelina once again turned heads as she diverted from her usual statuesque poses, donning a strapless black dress with a slit on the side that revealed her entire right leg. This daring fashion statement made her a hot topic of discussion in the fashion world, with many singing praises of her choice of clothing. Angelina made sure to stick out her leg for every photograph taken, showing off her perfectly sculpted limb; it was one of her most memorable fashion statements. Angelina seems to have it all figured out, with her diverse family, philanthropy and career and she still manages to look stunning in anything she wears, especially this unique Versace creation.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez has a large repertoire when it comes to her career, a triple threat if you will – actress, singer and dancer. Although she comes from humble beginnings, this Latina powerhouse has comfortably fit into the world of stardom, making her presence known amongst the big-weights of the industries especially when it came down to her fashion sense. Having shown up to award shows and the likes in the past wearing stunning dresses that hugged her body perfectly, she unforgettably stole the spotlight and made history in the year 2000. JLo strutted down the red carpet at the Grammy Awards that year in a jaw-dropping, blue and green Versace creation that sported a belly-button baring neckline, made of sheer material. The dress became the talk of the next decade and landed her on countless Best Dressed Lists. It has been said to be one of the most iconic dresses ever worn on the red carpet because of two things – how it showcased Donatella Versace’s prowess as a designer who could hold her own after her brother Gianni passed away, and the fact that this dress altered the landscape of the Google search forever.
On the day following the awards show, Google Chairman, Eric Schmidt stated that Google was flooded with queries on the dress, that they decided to create a dedicated button to images of searches, and thus, Google Images was born. Her appearance not only set her on a pedestal where fashion is concerned, it also brought her to the attention of the international eye, and gave her newfound fame, one that was rightfully earned. Ultimately, it takes boldness, beauty and the perfect body to pull off a look so daring as this one, and Jennifer Lopez certainly has all three and did just that.
Halle Berry
In addition to being celebrated and rewarded for her acting talent, Halle Berry is also renowned for having one of the best looking figures around in Hollywood, and she’s aware of it too! At the 2002 Academy Award, besides making Hollywood history as the first woman of colour to take home the Best Actress award, Berry flaunted her curves in a daring and provocative wine red Elie Saab gown.
The peek-a-boo design on the top half of her dress highlighted her incredible figure. The design of the top half of the dress itself was considered controversial and a bold move by Berry. The amount of skin exposed through the netting of the dress was not a conception that most actresses would choose for the Oscar’s. However, the strategic floral embroidery on the netting of the dress succeeded in lending elegance to Berry’s regalia. The burgundy hues of the figurehugging bottom half of her dress on the other hand, contrasted brilliantly against her tanned skin tone, while accentuating the shape of her legs. The ensemble was regarded as being one of the most unforgettable looks in red carpet and Oscar history.
Elizabeth Hurley
Back in the 1990s, when Elizabeth Hurley was a little known actress, she attended the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral alongside Hugh Grant. What she wore to that premiere catapulted her to international stardom and the world took notice of this beautiful British actress. Elizabeth donned a little black dress, elevated to new heights, that was a true display of Gianni Versace’s genius. The dress, commonly referred to as ‘THAT dress’, was designed with a plunging neckline, had a cutaway on each side and thigh high slits, all held together by oversized golden safety pins and was a true fashion statement for all ages. Elizabeth once stated of the dress, “It was a favour from Versace as I couldn’t afford to buy one.” The dress is said to be one of Versace’s best-known creations and has been receiving global media coverage for decades after she debuted the outfit. In 2012, Lady Gaga wore the same dress to meet with Donatella Versace in Milan, proving to the world that such iconic creations transcend time itself.
Stepping out in that dress changed everything for her, seeing as it takes such a great amount of star quality to make that look truly work, Elizabeth began to blaze her own career path from then on and gained international fame and success over the years by landing roles in a string of movies and television series, apart from bagging ad campaigns for companies such as Estee Lauder as well as launching her own swimwear line. Wearing the right dress at just the right time catalysed the fame and fortune that Elizabeth Hurley enjoys today, and even as she revels in her success, she always points back to that moment in history and THAT dress.
Whether it is a one piece denim jumpsuit, or a dress that is still talked about, emulated and replicated nearly two decades after its debut, celebrity fashion statements on the red carpet is something we all remember. Living the life of glamour, fame and fortune translates in wearing designs that are unlike anything you would ever see on a regular day, and that is what etches these iconic red carpet moments into our minds – the exclusivity and luxury of donning such creations in a way that no one else can, or will ever be able to.
