Jennifer Lopez, Cate Blanchett, Lupita Nyong'o stand out for being amongst the best-dressed at the Oscars

The ten most memorable looks from the Oscars

UPDATED JANUARY 21, 2020 5:03 PM ESTJAN 21, 2020, 5:03 PM EST

When it comes to the Oscars, the focus is as much on the winners (and losers) of the small, golden statuettes as it is on who wore what.

And it’s also the perfect event for designers to make a name for themselves by dressing the biggest stars of the year. Many actresses have ended up being ambassadors for a certain label – just as they are for beauty lines too.

So Oscars night has become not just about who wins for their talent but who makes the best-dressed lists of the night. Here we take a look back at some of the historic sartorial wins from previous editions of the glamorous award show. Enjoy!

Salma Hayek in a marine blue dress by Prada

Salma, the Mexican mermaid

Salma Hayek is a boss at showing off her fantastic figure. In 2005 she looked spectacular in this marine blue dress by Prada, with black detailing, a mermaid skirt and topped off with her hair in a beehive style.

Penelope, Chanel’s sculpted Muse

The romance between Chanel and its muse Penelope Cruz goes way back. In 2008, the Spanish actress was already a favorite of the French fashion house, proved by the elegant, feathered, strapless dress that Karl Lagerfeld himself designed for her.

JGlow

We can always count on Jennifer Lopez to up the glamour stakes - as she did at the 2010 Oscars where she wore an Armani Prive dress in pale, iridescent rose, whose simple, strapless body contrasted with a full skirt of cascading layers.

Zoe Saldana in a purple Givenchy Couture dress

Interstellar designs for Zoe Saldana

Rising Latin star Zoe Saldana accentuated her figure in this stunning purple toned dress by Givenchy Couture in 2010. Its bejeweled neckline and voluminous, textured skirt gave it a memorable originality.

Angelina Jolie in a black velvet Atelier Versace dress

Femme fatale

One of the most memorable black dresses ever was this velvet number by Atelier Versace that Angelina Jolie wore in 2012, giving a masterclass in how to pose in a split skirt.

Gwyneth Paltrow in a white, caped gown byTom Ford

Gwyneth the Greek Goddess

Reigning like an American queen, Gwyneth Paltrow showed how to wear a structural look in 2012 in this white Tom Ford gown with a floor-length cape. Its assymetrical neckline and gently accentuated shoulders make it a stand-out gown from Oscar fashion history.

Jennifer Lawrence in a white Christian Dior gown

Jennifer Lawrence adds fun to glamour

She may have had a little stumble on her way to collect her gong for Best Actress for Silver Linings Playbook but Jennifer Lawrence still looked sensational in this dramatic white Christian Dior gown in 2013.

Lupita in Prada perfection

Dressed in a beautiful pastel blue Prada dress, Lupita Nyong'o won Best Supporting Actress in 2014 for 12 Years A Slave. The Mexican-Kenyan actress grabbed all the attention on the red carpet in this low-necklined, long dress, topping it off with a lovely shiny headband.

Cate Blanchett in 2014 in a yellow Armani Prive dress

The Golden Age

Cate Blanchett won twice at the 2014 Oscars, not only for her role in Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine, but also for her exquisite choice of gown. The golden Armani Prive dress was embroidered with Swarovski crystals and, together with her Chopard jewellery, cost a whopping $18.1 million!

Alicia Vikander in a yellow Louis Vuitton dress

Alicia, like a real life princess

Alicia Vikander wore this yellow puff-skirted Louis Vuitton dress at the 2016 Oscars where she was named Best Supporting Actress for The Danish Girl.