The 30 Dresses That Put These Hollywood Stars on the Map
What's in a dress? Well, for many young starlets, the perfect red carpet moment has helped to bolster their status amongst the glitterati. With the 75th annual Golden Globes Awards quickly approaching, we tracked the game-changing, career-making dresses that marked a turning point for many of our favorite Hollywood faces. Whether it was the frock for their first major film premiere, or the dress they wore to accept their first Academy Award—these dresses cemented their rise to style stardom.
By Chrissy Rutherford
The gowns that cemented our favorite Hollywood faces' rise to stardom.
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1
Angelina Jolie
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In 2007, Angeline Jolie and partner Brad Pitt made their first appearance as a couple at a major awards ceremony. Jolie showed a softer side in a regal St. John chiffon gown while supporting Pitt who was nominated for Babel.
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2
Jessica Chastain
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While Chastain had six roles in 2011, The Help brought her the recognition she deserved— as did this ornate Alexander McQueen gown she wore for the 2012 Academy Awards.
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3
Nicole Kidman
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With a Best Actress Oscar under her belt, Kidman was a standout in Chanel Haute Couture when she presented at the 2004 Oscars.
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4
Penelope Cruz
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Nominated for first Academy Award for her Supporting Actress role in Volver in 2007, Cruz cut a stylish figure in this champagne confection by Atelier Versace.
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5
Cameron Diaz
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Wearing a mini dress to a major awards show was just as much of a rarity in 2003 as it remains today—Diaz pulled off this little Chanel Haute Couture mini with the ease of a true California girl.
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6
Jennifer Lopez
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From her enviable curves to high-profile romances Jennifer Lopez was a celebrity that had everyone talking, especially after she hit the Grammy Awards in 2000 wearing this Versace gown with a down-to-there neckline.
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7
Jennifer Lawrence
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It was the fall seen around the world. Lawrence tripped over her gorgeous Dior Haute Couture gown while accepting her Best Actress Oscar for her role in Silver Linings Playbook in 2014—but she played it off with grace and, most importantly, ample amounts of humor.
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8
Natalie Portman
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The child actress was suddenly all grown up at the 2005 Oscars where she was nominated for her part in Closer. This also marked the beginning of a longtime relationship with the house of Lanvin, which dressed her for all major occasions.
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9
Scarlett Johansson
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The blonde bombshell had been nominated four years in a row for Best Actress at the Golden Globes and while she went home empty-handed in 2006—Johansson's decolettage caused much fanfare for its gravity-defying capabilities in this Calvin Klein Collection gown.
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10
Zoe Saldana
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The actress hit a silver streak during the Avatar press tour. The futuristic film made Saldana a household name, and drew in top designer offers to dress the statuesque star—including Roland Mouret—for the worldwide premiere.
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11
Beyonce
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A year after leaving Destiny's Child Beyonce cemented her solo career on the red carpet in Elie Saab at the 2007 Golden Globe Awards, where she was nominated for her role in Dream Girls.
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12
Rihanna
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No longer just a young pop star from Barbados, Rihanna began to show a more mature side in her music and certainly in her fashion choices—like this Alaia gown at the Grammys in 2013.
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13
Keira Knightley
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The critically acclaimed Pride & Prejudice put Knightley on the acting map. The actress eschewed her bohemian style for this polished Valentino gown for her first major US awards ceremony at the 2006 Golden Globes.
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14
Cate Blanchett
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Following her 2005 Best Supporting Actress win at the Oscars, Blanchett rose to style-star status, forgoing her ladylike gowns for sleeker designs by Armani Prive.
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15
Charlize Theron
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The South African star took home her first Academy Award in 2004 for Monster—and no one could forget this simple glittering Gucci gown.
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16
Anne Hathaway
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The actress ditched her princess persona to show a sultrier side in this Armani Prive with a plunging back at the 2011 Golden Globes where she was nominated for Love and Other Drugs.
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17
Marion Cotillard
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The French actress aptly chose an iconic French designer, Jean Paul Gaultier, to design a dress for her first appearance at the Academy Awards in 2008. She was the first French actress to be nominated for lead actress in a French-speaking film, La Vie En Rose, at the American ceremony.
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18
Reese Witherspoon
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The Walk the Line actress made her official comeback as an Oscar winner, and a single lady in this svelte Nina Ricci mini at the 2007 Golden Globes.
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19
Ruth Negga
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Negga had her breakout year in 2016 thanks to her role in Loving, catching the eye of Nicholas Ghesquiere and the house of Louis Vuitton who dressed her in one of the most futuristic looks to hit a major awards show.
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20
Julia Roberts
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After three nominations in a row—Roberts finally took home her first Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Erin Brokovitch. Her classic Valentino gown still stands the test of time.