Whoever says that the Academy Awards is all about the movies is lying. As we all know, the real magic of the night happens on the red carpet and the brutal eye of the public is on every ruffle, sheer panel or suit cut that the nominees are wearing.
Whilst the hard work of those being celebrated on the night should never be ignored, we cannot help but feast our sartorial eyes on the runway to red carpet wardrobe decisions. As with any awards night, while its great to see the likes of J Law and Cate Blanchett in their annual Dior and Givenchy outings, the real thrill is in the surprise.
While we count down the hours to the 88th Academy Awards on Sunday night we take a look back at the most memorable red carpet moments from Oscars past. From Angelina's thigh to Cher's everything on show, the red carpet has been home to some fantastic fashion choices.
The leg that launched a thousand memes. Angelina Jolie well and truly owned the thigh split at the 2012 awards in a black Versace gown.Getty
The leg that launched a thousand memes. Angelina Jolie well and truly owned the thigh split at the 2012 awards in a black Versace gown.GettyCher at the Academy Awards in 1986 wearing her favourite designer Bob Mackie.GettyGwyneth Paltrow went regrettably braless in Alexander McQueen in 2002.GettyLady Gaga in the gloves that broke the internet, teaming up a billowing Azzedine Alaia with bizarre oversized washing up gloves at the 87th Academy Awards in 2015.GettyBjork will always be the queen of the Oscar red carpet, turning up to the 73rd Academy Awards in 2001 in a full swan dress by Marjan Pejoski.GettyThis year was more famous for Gwyneth's wailing upon winning the Oscar for best actress in 1999, however her baby pink Ralph Lauren gown remains a red carpet favourite.GettyClearly the biggest fan of Gwynnie's outfit was South park creator Matt Stone who chose to rock the same look a year later at the 72nd Annual Academy Awards, 2000.GettyUma Thurman has chosen some questionable Oscar red carpet looks in her time, none more so than this swashbuckler meets Arabian Nights number in 2004.GettyDiane Keaton working her signature 'Annie Hall' style masculine tailoring in Ralph Lauren at the 76th Annual Academy Awards, 2004. GettySandra Bullock went down the snazzy feather duster route for her red carpet look in 2004.GettyAngelina Jolie looked every inch the Hollywood star in 2004 wearing an incredible plunging Marc Bouwer gown.GettyHilary Swank went a bit too heavy on the tulle in Christian Dior at the 75th Annual Academy Awards, 2003.GettyUma Thurman once again leading the way in red carpet disasters at the 71st Academy Awards, 1999.GettyNicole Kidman dazzled in Dior couture at the awards with then-husband Tom Cruise in 2000.GettyRenee Zellwegger working the laidback look in Jean Desses at the 73rd Annual Academy Awards, 2001.GettyJuliette Binoche cramming as many historical references as possible into one outfit looked bizarre on the red carpet at the 73rd Annual Academy Awards, 2001.GettyCeline Dion's backwards tuxedo by John Galliano for Christian Dior was a red carpet game changer, worn with a Dior by Stephen Jones topper and Ray-Bans studded with diamonds by Martin Katz. Dion said at the time "Ray-Ban said if I wore these they would give $50,000 to my cystic fibrosis charity, so you better believe I wore them".GettyHalle Berry may have made Oscar history for being the only woman of colour to win the Best Actress award when she took home the Oscar for Monster's Ball in 2002, but her dress certainly made the headlines on its own. The incredible Elie Saab gown was both demure and revealing and was also the designer's favourite dress he has ever created.GettyNominated for Iris, English rose Kate Winslet looked incredible in Ben de Lisi in 2002.GettyTyra Banks looked like a glamorous toilet dolly in a vibrant Ver Wang gown at the 72nd Annual Academy Awards, 2000. GettyAngelina Jolie opted for a uber gothic look when she took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 'Girl Interrupted' in 2000.GettyIt was the dress that sent J Law flying into Oscar winning history. Jennifer Lawrence's Raf Simons for Dior gown was a dreamlike creation in pale silk that will never be forgotten.GettyJuliette Binoche took a turn as a romantic vampire in a chocolate brown crushed velvet coat dress when she won the Oscar for best supporting actress in 1997 for her role in The English Patient.GettyTilda Swinton divided opinion in her one armed creation by Lanvin that she wore when she was awarded the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2008 for her role in Michael Clayton. GettyNominated for her role in Brokeback Mountain, Michelle Williams looked incredible at the Oscars in 2006 in a marigold silk-chiffon design from Vera Wang and dark 19th-century Fred Leighton diamonds.GettyDolly Parton took home the Oscar for Best Original Song in 2006 with 'Travelling Thru' from Transamerica and hit the red carpet in in a signature tight fitting gown in a blush tone.GettyActress Sally Kellerman arrives at the 70th Annual Academy Awards.GettyAustralians Lizzy Gardiner (L) and Tim Chappel react after winning Oscars for best costume design for the film 'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' in 1995. Gardiner should have won an extra award for her incredible American Express card dress.GettyPresenting the Oscars in 2002, Whoopi Goldberg took to the stage wearing a bespoke cape honoring the 11 September firefighters and policeman in New York City and Pennsylvania.GettyKate Hudson channelled Miss Havisham on the red carpet at the 73rd Annual Academy Awards in 2001 when she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 'Almost Famous.'GettyClaudia Schiffer looking her usual incredible self with magician David Copperfield at the 68th Academy Awards 25 March, 1996.GettyKate Winslet was a little more daring with her choices in the early days, opting for a renaissance-cut corseted gown when she was nominated for best supporting actress for her role as Marianne Dashwood in 'Sense and Sensibility in 1996.Getty
