Diane Kruger: Her style evolution from cute to chic
Model. Actress. Muse. Diane Kruger's fashion world credentials are flawless. We chart her rise to the top...
Rex FeaturesThe year was 1992. Fresh-faced blonde Diane Kruger had just won the Elite Model Look competition – and those chic black feathers were but a hint of the fabulous fashion moments to come.
Getty ImagesFast forward eight years, and Diane had bagged herself an on-trend asymmetrical dress and cool bob as she hit the red carpet with bona fide A-list boyfriend Guillaume Canet for the premiere of his smash hit film, The Beach.
Getty ImagesDon’t be fooled, though – Diane’s early red carpet hits were apparently more luck than judgement, if this embellished robe and sandals ensemble was anything to go by.
Getty ImagesAnd it gets worse! Diane and Guillaume weren’t papped unsuspectingly popping out for milk here – they were attending the 2002 premiere of Minority Report in Paris. Yes, Paris! And, alas, we don’t recall embroidered denim T-shirts worn over too-big white rollneck jumpers ever being à la mode.
Getty ImagesDiane’s star had risen sufficiently for her to land an invitation to an exclusive party hosted by Chopard at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival – and she stepped up to the plate in this respectably glamorous hi-lo dress with tottering sandals and jewellery galore. Phew.
Getty ImagesA flat cap, Converse and a crunchy old day coat are all well and good for ‘off’ days – everyone’s entitled to those. But Diane was actually at Paris Fashion Week, at the Ungaro show, when she was papped in hers in March 2004. Moving swiftly along…
Rex FeaturesDiane came good the following month, attending the Met Ball in a simple gold slip dress and a ‘do tousled to A-list perfection. Apparently, there were no shades of grey in her early wardrobe: each outfit was either hot, or unequivocally not.
Rex FeaturesHaving hit upon the notion that ultra-pale hues suited her, Diane sported another one to her most high profile red carpet appearance to date in May 2004: the premiere Troy.
Rex FeaturesJeans? For a Couture show? Yes, indeed – and this time, we say, Diane pulled them off, thanks to that luxe cami and matchy-matchy accessorising. (Well, it was 2004.)
Rex FeaturesIn frilled and drop-waited lilac satin for the premiere of National Treasure. The outfit’s there, but we can’t help but think that the hair and make-up front is a little lacking still.
Rex FeaturesCome the BAFTAs, Diane seemed to have acquired a Hollywood gloss; her slicked-back hair, diamond accessories and straight-from-the-catwalk dress ticked all our style boxes. We were officially paying attention.
Getty ImagesDiane hit the front row of the Yves Saint Laurent show at Paris Fashion Week in an assured embellished T, cropped pea-coat and denim skirt combo. A bold move – and it paid off.
Rex FeaturesPlaying the perfect mermaid in Elie Saab, at the Oscars in 2006.
Getty ImagesDress by Chanel. Jewellery by Van Cleef & Arpels. Je ne sais quoi, DDiane’s own. Arguably, this was the first time we first glimpsed the ever-polished, ne’r-put-a-foot-wrong fearless fashion ambassador our girl would become.
Rex Features…And she was here to stay. Diane looked every inch the Hollywood golden girl in a beautifully-cut cocktail dress at the Screen Actors’ Guild Awards in 2007.
Rex FeaturesAs Diane’s relationship with high fashion went from strength to strength so, in turn, did her relationship with Chanel. Witness this stunning shredded cocktail dress moment at the 2007 Chanel cruise show, which was presented by Karl Lagerfeld at Santa Monica Airport.
Rex FeaturesDiane harked back to her low-key red carpet days in flat silver sandals, a Balenciaga day bag and loose shift at the premiere of Sicko and, while there was no denying she looked incredible, we admit we were a teensy bit disappointed.
Rex FeaturesA gown with sleeves is always going be a smart choice for a December event – as is one in orange if you want to get noticed! Diane hit the style nail on the head in J.Mendel for the 2007 New York premiere of National Treasure: Book of Secrets.
Rex FeaturesA tuxedo top with a ballerina-inspired bottom won’t be every critic’s cup of tea, but it’s bold style moves like this that keep the Kruger fashion fires burning! Quirky perfection at The Other Boleyn Girl Berlin premiere.
WennTwenties glitz for the Cannes amfAR gala in May 2008.
Rex FeaturesFor Longchamp's 60th Anniversary celebrations in NY, Diane brought some Riviera glamour to the Big Apple in a straw hat, striped crop top and wide-legged trousers.
Rex FeaturesCheeky! Diane got playful in Christian Dior at the 2008 Venice Film Festival.
Rex FeaturesTricksy midi shapes are no match for Diane. She made pulling off this stunning Giambattista Valli creation look at breeze at the premiere of her film Pour Elle (Anything For Her) in November 2008.
Rex FeaturesThe hair, the kooky bow-tie, the head-to-toe silk… We almost had Diane confused with Chloe Sevigny at the relaunch of Ray-Ban’s iconic Clubmaster style.
Rex FeaturesPlaying it cool in an Alexander Wang sheath dress and that newly bobbed ‘do at a US Glamour party.
Rex FeaturesAt the 2009 Cesars Awards in Paris, Diane made a dramatic entrance in dreamy Valentino gown with a crystal-encrusted neckline – and lo, one of our all-time Diane fashion highs was created.
WennDiane opted for perfectly-proportioned Chanel at an amfAR cocktail party in Cannes, May 2009.
Rex FeaturesEven off-duty, Diane was now sticking to her style mantra. Note the fashion-forward boots and belt toughening up this ditsy-print dress, which we pictured her wearing in August 2009.
Rex FeaturesProving she was au fait with the hottest new industry names, Diane wowed in Christopher Kane at the 2009 Venice Film Festival.
Rex FeaturesNever let it be said that Diane is a one-trick pony. The sculpted, hardware-heavy jacket and skinny leather trousers ensemble that she wore to the Berlin premiere of Sherlock Holmes in January 2010 – courtesy of Karl Lagerfeld – marked a new era for red carpet tailoring.
Rex FeaturesDiane borrowed a little of the Michelle Williams' award season magic for the 2010 SAG Awards in this off-the-shoulder mustard gown by Jason Wu, punctuated with a hot red lip.
Rex FeaturesSkip to May 2011 and Diane was shining in another Wu creation – this time, heavily embellished and split-to-the-thigh – at the Met Ball.
Rex FeaturesDiane opted for soft and subtle in Prada – paired with pretty pink accents – for the 2012 Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.
Rex FeaturesFashion rules were made to be broken. Not content with braving directional looks direct from the catwalk, Diane was busy mixing them up in February 2012, wearing a skinny monochrome skirt over a printed Derek Lam tea-dress. And boy, did it work.
Rex Features…But sometime sleek and simple is best and, for that, there’s Calvin Klein. Diane was siren-perfect in this red sheath at the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscars party.
Rex FeaturesShe next set pulses – both male and female – racing in a flesh-baring Cushnie et Ochs dress at the US GQ Men of the Year Awards. Ladies, throwing your boyfriend’s jacket over your shoulders at the end of the night has the seal of style approval: take note.
Rex FeaturesMaking the case for the jumpsuit in Jason Wu – or should we say Jason Wow? – at Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Paris store opening in November 2012.
Getty ImagesA cropped, button-through skirt with a matching full skirt, plus ornate peep-toe booties, really doesn’t work on paper. So it’s testament to Diane’s fashion force that she made us all want to emulate this Rochas ensemble, like, immediately. All hail fashion’s most daring muse – and, of course, GLAMOUR cover girl!
PA PhotosThis Valentino Couture lace creation was worth the risk on the gorgeous Diane. She braved the sheer ensemble at a 2014 Oscars after party.
Rex FeaturesIt's a very formal look from DK but her navy dress with elegant gold piped detail was a stunning choice for the actress as she accepted her star on the Boulevard of Stars at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin.
Getty ImagesDiane Kruger excels at Cannes and she didn’t disappoint the cameras at the 2015 festival, by turning up in this rose-embellished mini-dress courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana. The sea blue colour was perfect for the Riviera and she didn’t forget about her footwear either: finishing it with some Jimmy Choo nude sandals.
Getty ImagesSame year, same day, different event. Diane Kruger’s night-time Cannes look consisted of this beautiful embellished Prada halter-neck dress, which she finished off with Harry Winston jewels (naturally) and a blue clutch bag.
Getty ImagesDiane looked stunning at the movie premiere for Disorder, where she wore a showstopping sparkly mini dress with sheer black detailing on the neck.
Rex FeaturesAn Elie Saab lace mini + Sophia Webster strappies + Charlotte Olympia‘Take Pandora’ clutch = fashion perfection from Diane Kruger.
Splash NewsShe gave a breezy edge to leopard print at Coachella. Accessory by way of then boyfriend, Joshua Jackson.
Getty ImagesWe are totally obsessed with this gorgeous Monique Lhuillier monochrome dress that Diane rocked at the Screen Actors Guild Foundation 30th Anniversary Celebration in California.
Rex FeaturesLooking every inch the gorgeous happy couple at the 2015 Polo in New York.
Rex FeaturesShe chose a tunic worn over sheer embellished trousers for the 2015 Met Ball.
Getty ImagesDiane attended a gala dinner in Paris wearing a gorgeous short white dress with floral embellishment.
Rex FeaturesWOW! At the 2016 amfAR New York Gala, Diane wore a stunning pale blue gown, with black feather detailing. She totally blew us away in this look.
Rex FeaturesDiane Kruger transported us back to Studio 54 when she wore this green sequined number to a dinner in LA.
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Rex FeaturesWell this is how we want to look in a slip dress - she killed it at the premiere of Sky in April 2016.
Rex FeaturesShe worked a beautiful red lace gown for The Infiltrator film premiere in July 2016.
Rex FeaturesShe can do laid-back and cool just as well as she can do red carpet. Here she is rocking ripped jeans with a striped top for a stroll in New York.
Of course Diane Kruger can rock pinstripes, lace overlay, pink satin, statement sunglasses AND patent Louboutin shoes. She's Diane Kruger - duh!
For the New York screening of Disorder, Diane chose to wear a pre SS17 poppy print broderie anglaise dress & studded waist belt by Alexander McQueen. Loves it!
This outfit is pure goals. How cool does she look in her zip detail leather skirt, stripy body, denim jacket and Chanel handbag. We're totally copying this look from head-to-toe.
Worn the the 2016 Deauville Film Festival, Diane looked sensational in a floor length gown with heart embellishments. Amazing.
Diane then look exceptional in a silver Saint Laurent mini dress for the afterparty. Very '60s.
Rex FeaturesDiane attended the Ballet Fifth Annual Fall Fashion Gala in New York wearing a stunning puff-sleeved, floral gown. So pretty.
