Emmy Fabulous
Remember Julia's vintage Valentino? Kate's Ben de Lisi? See our guide to GLAMOUR.COM's favourite red carpet gowns ever!
PA PhotosSienna Miller in Marchesa, Golden Globes 2007
Why We Loved It: Some slated the Heidi style hair, but we loved the way Sienna styled Marchesa’s Medieval style dress, from the compact coordinated clutch to her pretty plaits.
Rex FeaturesClaire Danes in Lanvin, Emmys 2012
Why We Loved It: Claire Danes made sure her baby bump was the talk of the Emmys, wearing this gorgeous canary yellow draped Lanvin gown with a pair of gold Barbara Bui sandals and Lorraine Schwartz jewels.
PA PhotosCarey Mulligan in Prada, Oscars 2010
Why We Loved It: Carey Mulligan proved the LBD didn’t have to be a safe choice for the red carpet when she wowed in a strapless Prada dress adorned with miniature knives, forks and scissors.
PA PhotosAlexa Chung in 3.1 Phillip Lim, MET Gala 2010
Why We Loved It: Alexa Chung dared to be different and gave hope to non-girly fashionistas everywhere when she chose a unique tuxedo ensemble to wear to one of fashion’s most prestigious events.
Getty ImagesZooey Deschanel in Monique Lhuillier, Emmys 2011
Why We Loved It: We love, love, love the creative use of a clashing red belt in this satin pink dress. What a way to make a dress wow.
Rex FeaturesBlake Lively in Marchesa, MET Gala 2010
Why We Loved It: Showing us that full-length isn’t mandatory for iconic red carpet status, Blake Lively wowed in a killer combination of lovely legs, a cobalt-coloured dress and super cool shoes.
PA PhotosLeighton Meester in Bottega Veneta, Emmys 2009
Why We Loved It: This Grecian draped gown was the perfect look for Leighton Meester’s 2009 Emmys turn. The dress itself is beautiful but Leighton adds some nice touches with gold cuffs, cherry lips and a messy up do.
Rex FeaturesEmma Watson in Burberry, MET Gala 2010
Why We Loved It: This floaty 70s-inspired number ticked lots of different fashion boxes (one-shouldered, maxi, nipped-in waist) and Emma Watson balanced its princess element beautifully with contrasting chunky statement jewellery.
Rex FeaturesJanuary Jones in Zac Posen, Emmys 2012
Why We Loved It: Whether you love her style or not, you can’t accuse January Jones of being dull on the red carpet. This firework of a dress was given added drama thanks to the star’s smoky eye make-up.
PA Photos/www.paphotos.comChristina Hendricks in Christian Siriano, Golden Globes 2010
Why We Loved It: Those curves! The hair! That skin! Harking back to a bygone era, Christina Hendricks shows that notoriously tricky ruffles can work when worn with a bit of va-va-voom attitude.
PA PhotosZoe Saldana in Valentino, Golden Globes 2010
Why We Loved It: This fishtail dress could so easily have been over the top, but red carpet queen Zoe Saldana’s pared-back accessories made it dramatically memorable for all the right reasons.
Rex FeaturesLeslie Mann in Naeem Khan, Emmys 2012
Why We Loved It: Yellow was the colour du jour at the 2012 Emmys but Leslie Mann toned down the shade with this muted sunshine and white embellished gown.
Rex FeaturesAngelina Jolie in Elie Saab, Oscars 2009
Why We Loved It: The gown is pure old school starlet, but Angelina Jolie elevated it to a new level with emerald green earrings, a matching cocktail ring and a sweep of black eyeliner.
PA PhotosOlivia Wilde in Marchesa, Golden Globes 2011
Why We Loved It: Words fail us when it comes to this jaw-dropping sparkler of a gown. Olivia Wilde made it work thanks to a zero accessories policy and fuss-free hair and makeup.
PA PhotosTaylor Swift in Ralph Lauren, MET Gala 2010
Why We Loved It: Who said romance is dead? Taylor Swift opted to go with the flow of this ivory, beaded dress and keep a similar dreamy vibe with the rest of her styling.
PA PhotosAngelina Jolie in Versace, Golden Globes 2011
Why We Loved It: Can she not put a foot wrong on the red carpet? Angelina Jolie stole the show when she chose an unusual hue for her gown, spawning a plethora of me-too dresses in jade.
PA PhotosLea Michele in Oscar de la Renta, SAG Awards 2011
Why We Loved It: Sexy yet sophisticated, sparkly yet sleek – Lea Michele has earned her red carpet icon stripes in a dress that ticks all of our fashion boxes.
PA PhotosSarah Jessica Parker in Chanel Couture, Oscars 2010
Why We Loved It: Sarah Jessica Parker routinely gets our thumbs up on the red carpet and we approved of this departure from her usual princess-style gowns for an elegant column dress accessorised with plenty of diamonds. They are a girl’s best friend you know.
PA PhotosKate Moss in vintage Dior, V&A Golden Age Of Couture Gala 2007
Why We Loved It: The doyenne of daytime chic showed she can wow once night falls as well by keeping it simple with hair, make-up and accessories. Gorgeous.
PA PhotosDiane Kruger in Jason Wu, SAG Awards 2010
Why We Loved It: Reminiscent of Michelle Williams’ iconic Vera Wang frock, Diane Kruger reinforces that you can’t go wrong with mustard yellow accented with red lips and accessories.
PAKeira Knightley in Vera Wang, Oscars 2006
Why We Loved It: Stylist Rachel Zoe departed from her usual 70s-inspired looks to turn Keira Knightley into a modern day screen siren. We loved the fishtail gown and dramatic diamonds mixed with peek-a-boo fringe and dark eyes.
PA PhotosHalle Berry in Elie Saab, Oscars 2002
Why We Loved It: For Halle’s sheer bravery! She took a huge red carpet risk by donning this revealing sheer dress when she picked up her Best Actress award for Monster’s Ball – and it paid off because fashion critics loved it.
PA PhotosGwyneth Paltrow in Ralph Lauren, Oscars 1999
Why We Loved It: Too Disney for some tastes, the GLAMOUR.COM girls fell in love with this Grace Kelly-esque gown for its fairytale princess feel.
PA PhotosJulia Roberts in vintage Valentino, Oscars 2001
Why We Loved It: Besides its gorgeous sheer fishtail, this was the dress that catapulted vintage couture into red carpet popularity.
PA PhotosAudrey Hepburn in Givenchy, Oscars 1954
Why We Loved It: Hubert de Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn were a match made in fashion heaven – what other dress could have done justice to the actress’ gamine beauty so well?
PA PhotosKate Winslet in Ben de Lisi, Oscars 2002
Why We Loved It: A simple red gown is taken into classic status with an unexpected asymmetric floral garland, which fit so well with Kate’s English rose image.
PA PhotosJJennifer Lopez in Valentino, Oscars 2003
Why We Loved It: Empire line, prom style and column dresses are all popular choices for big events – but a kaftan? Credit goes to J-Lo in gorgeous Valentino for showing us it can be done!
PA PhotosHilary Swank in Guy Laroche, Oscars 2005
Why We Loved It: Oscar winner Hilary reminded the world just how sexy a bare back could be. Plus, it made an extra special appearance in MTV reality show The Hills when Teen Vogue intern fell down the stairs in it on live TV!
PA PhotosPenelope Cruz in Versace, Oscars 2007
Why We Loved It: Not many people can pull off this shade of blush pink – let alone a huge feathered chiffon skirt – but Miss Cruz made it work.
PA PhotosReese Witherspoon in Nina Ricci, Oscars 2007
Why We Loved It: The dip-dyed detail, Reese’s luxe ash blonde locks, the nipped in waist – it was red carpet perfection!
Rex FeaturesCate Blanchett in John Galliano, Oscars 1999
Why We Loved It: Cate’s a pro at dressing for the red carpet – but even she outdid herself this time in this über-pretty butterfly back dress.
PA PhotosRihanna in Marchesa, American Music Awards 2009
Why We Loved It: Pop’s queen of fashion proved that red carpet dressing doesn’t have to be all chiffon and satin in this directional laser cut number.
PA PhotosNicole Kidman in Balenciaga, Oscars 2007
Why We Loved It: Balenciaga devotee Nicole scored a style home run in this elegant, figure skimming gown, complete with oversized bow detail.
PA PhotosMichelle Williams in Vera Wang, Oscars 2006
Why We Loved It: Most of us would run a mile from mustard yellow, but Michelle Williams couldn’t have looked any more stunning in this low necked beauty.
PA PhotosAnne Hathaway in Marchesa, Oscars 2008
Why We Loved It: Way to score a guaranteed spot on the best dressed lists? Take your inspiration from another red carpet classic (remember Kate Winslet’s Ben de Lisi number?), and do it one step better!
Rex FeaturesZooey Deschanel in Reem Acra, Emmys 2012
Why We Loved It: Zooey Deschanel looked straight out of a Disney film in this gorgeous pale blue strapless gown, which she styled with a pop of pink lipstick.
Rex FeaturesJennifer Lopez in Versace, Grammys 2000
Why We Loved It: Okay, it mightn’t have been the most conservative of dress choices (and that’s probably an understatement!), but there’s no denying Jennifer Lopez turned everyone’s head in her tropical print Versace.
Rex FeaturesCameron Diaz in Emanuel Ungaro, Oscars 2001
Why We Loved It: We can’t remember the last time one look divided the GLAMOUR.COM fashion team more – so much so that it made it onto both our best and worst dressed lists! Nevertheless this floral gown, accessorised with Cameron’s own boho personal touches, definitely got us talking.
PA PhotosGrace Kelly in Edith Head, Oscars 1955
Why We Loved It: In 1955, Grace’s refined dress was the most expensive ever to be worn to the Oscars, setting the bar for the fashion event it was to become for years to come.
PA PhotosNaomi Watts in Thierry Mugler, MET Gala 2008
Why We Loved It: The theme of 2008’s annual Costume Institute Gala was superheroes, but instead of going futuristic in metallics and clinical lines like most attendees, Naomi chose to go all classic 1940s heroine instead. Brava!
PA PhotosKatherine Heigl in Escada, Oscars 2008
Why We Loved It: Channelling Marilyn worked a charm for Katherine, who worked screen siren red lips and set curls to maximum effect in this flattering Escada gown.
