Red carpet outfits that broke the bank

EVER wanted to know what it takes to get red carpet ready when awards season rolls around? Hint: it’s millions of dollars. We go inside the most famous wardrobes.

‘Oh no! This dress is so expensive and now I’ve just ruined it.’ Jennifer Lawrence at the Oscars.

EVER wanted to know what it takes to get red carpet ready when awards season rolls around? Hint: itÂ’s millions of dollars.

The terror in JLaw’s eyes when she fell at the Oscars wasn’t because she stacked it in front of the world; it was from the fear of ruining her borrowed and unaffordable yes-even-for-a-celebrity dress.

You wouldn’t want to fall down, spill on or even move too hastily in these sartorial wonders lest you broke something that pawning a super yacht wouldn’t compensate for.

Anne Hathaway, Academy Awards 2011

In 2011, Anne Hathaway hosted the Academy Awards, arriving in a shop stopping, red silk faille Valentino dress worth a reported $80,000. Though her overall look was demure Hollywood, her Tiffany & Co ‘Lucida’ Necklace had a $10 million price tag. Not one to rest on her laurels, the Oscar winner changed into a further 8 dresses; including an oxblood Valentino gown with scalloped bodice worth $100,000.

 News_Image_File: 2011 Oscars co-host Anne Hathaway arrives at the 83rd Academy Awards

News_Image_File: Grace Kelly was the angel of style.

Grace Kelly, The Academy Awards, 1955

In 1955, Grace Kelly was nominated for an Academy Award for The Country Girl. Even if she hadn’t won (she did) the evening would have been considered a success. Why? Because of her custom ice blue silk Edith Head gown; the fabric of which cost $4000 alone. To put that into perspective that’s the equivalent of $35,000 in today’s money and was at the time more than the average annual salary. Though the dress has been far eclipsed in cost and elaborateness, it was in 1955, the most expensive dress in Oscar’s history. 

Jessica Alba, Academy Awards, 2013

Melon, coral or tangerine? While the colour of Jessica Alba’s Oscar de la Renta mermaid gown was up for discussion, the colour of her blindingly white Harry Winston diamond necklace was definitely not. Part of the Mrs. Winston collection, and featuring a sweetheart design of cascading diamonds, the Oscars special clocked in at $5.8 million. Add to that a pair of demure (in comparison) platinum drop earrings and a truly incredible feathered Roger Vivier clutch and you’ve got one of the best outfits of 2013. 

News_Image_File: Actor Jessica Alba arrives at the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 13, 2013. Picture: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Cate Blanchett, Academy Awards, 2014

Cate Blanchett is no stranger to stylish extravagance. Her 2007 Oscars dress: a gunmetal grey, embellished one shouldered number by Armani Privè had a hefty $200,000 price tag, but it paled in comparison to this year’s winning ensemble. 2014’s dress, another Armani Privè dress, was an intricately beaded, gold confection and weighed in at over $100,000. Add to that some serious Chopard diamond clamshell bracelets and a pair of stunning opal drop earrings and you’ve got an outfit worth over $18 million! 

News_Image_File: Cate Blanchett wearing Giorgio Armani dress on the red carpet at the Oscars 2014. Picture: Getty

Elizabeth Taylor, Academy Awards, 1967

Elizabeth Taylor was famous for many things but none more so than her violet eyes and her vast jewellery collection. In 1967, she showed off both at the Academy Awards, wearing a dazzling emerald and diamond Bulgari suite and sea foam green sequined dress, a gown she subsequently accessorised with a Best Actress Oscar. The pendant necklace and drop earrings were a gift from fifth husband Richard Burton and later sold at auction for $24 million. 

News_Image_File: Elizabeth Taylor was never one for understated fashion.

Kate Middleton, The Royal Wedding, 2011

Though Kim Kardashian’s Givenchy beauty gave it a run for its money, Kate Middleton’s epic Alexander McQueen still reigns supreme when it comes to wedding dress expense. Modelled on Grace Kelly’s marital style, the long sleeved lace and appliquéd gown reportedly set the royals back $400,000. A Cartier scroll tiara, purchased in 1936 as a gift for the Queen Mother and lent by Queen Elizabeth finished off Kate’s regal look. 

News_Image_File: Britain's Prince William kisses his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, after their wedding service, on April 29, 2011, in London.

Charlize Theron, Academy Awards, 2013

Deceptively simple, Charlize Theron’s 2013 Oscars effort was actually the most expensive of the evening. Her custom snow white Dior gown featured an all-over crystal embellishment and reportedly cost $100,000 to produce. It was her Harry Winston diamond cuffs thought that took the grand total to $4.5 million. 

News_Image_File: Charlize Theron at the 85th Annual Oscars at Hollywood.

Gloria Stewart, Academy Awards 1998

1998 was the year of Titanic and the year of records for one Gloria Stewart. Nominated for her role as ‘Old Rose’, Gloria was and is the oldest actor nominated for a competitive Oscar. She also happens to hold the record for most expensive Red Carpet outfit, due almost completely to the $20 million replica ‘Heart of the Ocean’ necklace modelled on the Titanic scene-stealer. The pendant featured a pristine blue diamond surrounded by brilliant cut diamonds and was made by jeweller to the stars — Harry Winston. 

News_Image_File: That is one amazing necklace.

Jessica Chastain, Academy Awards, 2012

See those delicate yellow earrings? Those least ostentatious of baubles were in fact worth $2.2 million. Couple that with some seriously intense gold embroidery and Jessica Chastain’s 2012 Oscars Alexander McQueen joins the upper echelon of fancy red carpet duds.

 News_Image_File: Jessica Chastain at the Oscars.