One of the drawbacks of having a career in the spotlight is that one’s style evolution is no longer confined to the safety of their mother’s old photo albums, but becomes readily searchable on online archives, should a fashion journalist ever feel the urge. In honour of the 96th Academy Awards, Vogue has taken a look back through the years of red carpet attendees to find the first time your favourite stars stepped out on the Oscars red carpet—and compare it with their most recent appearance.
Many of these stars stepped onto red carpets as children, or teens—remember a tween Angelia Jolie, on the arm of her father, the actor Jon Voight?—and so their evolution has been starker than most. For others, the style has evolved in a shorter time frame, but one that bears the imprint of their rising status and a discovery of their signature looks (Margot Robbie, whose golden girl tresses are now something of her calling card, first walked the carpet as a sultry brunette).
Many also first stepped onto the red carpet at a time when the whole affair was less of an orchestra, when appearances by stars weren’t produced by entire teams of stylists, archivists, hair and makeup teams and press liaisons in the way they are now. We certainly entered an era of high polish in the 2010s that followed the more footloose and fancy-free noughties.
To see your favourite stars on their first Oscars red carpet—and their most recent appearance at the ceremony—scroll down below.
