Best and worst dressed Australian stars at the Oscars
AUSTRALIA’s Hollywood exports have stunned and shocked the Oscars red carpet. Their 80s hairdos, quirky and jawdropping gowns are some of the most unforgettable looks in history.
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AS WE wait in anticipation to see the stars hit the red carpet at this year’s Academy Awards, let’s take a trip down memory lane at some of the most memorable outfits our Aussie representatives have worn to Hollywood’s biggest event. From 80s hair to AMEX card dresses and everything in between, these fair dinkum celebs are (almost) all winners in our eyes.
1987
Following the breakout box office smash Crocodile Dundee, Paul Hogan left Mick Dundee’s trademark acubra and crocodile tooth necklace at home for an appearance at the 59th Annual Academy Awards. Hogan, who missed out on getting an award (he was nominated for Best Original Screenplay), proved to be a winner anyway after making Hollywood’s elite laugh with an unforgettable speech.
1989
Nothing says late 80s like a perm and oversized lace collar, but this is probably one red carpet look Grease star Olivia Newton John wishes she could take back.
1993
Nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Husbands and Wives , Judy Davis decided to ditch the dress in favour of a less formal top and pants set. Her curls, embroidered vest and wide pants all capture early 90s at its best. While many may not remember her outfit, they may recall the scandal that took place after Marissa won the coveted award. Rumours swirled that the wrong name was read out and that Davis, Miranda Richardson orVanessa Redgave should have won instead. The claim has since been debunked.
1994
Australians have adopted the New Zealand born Jane Campion as one of our own, as the Oscar-winning screenwriter, producer and director now calls Sydney home. In 1994, Campion took out the award for Best Original Screenplay for her film The Piano and was the second woman to ever be nominated for a Best Director Oscar. Perhaps her black and white ensemble was inspired by the keys of a piano?
1995
When American Express came up with the slogan, “Don’t leave home without it,” this is probably not what they had in mind. Costume designer brought Lizzy Gardiner 254 expired American Express cards with her to the 67th Academy Awards — in the form of a dress. Initially designed to be used in the film Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the dress has been dubbed “one of the worst dresses of all time”, but Gardiner still went home with an Oscar in hand.
1999
No one has ever looked more like they were going to party like it’s 1999 than Rachel Griffiths at the Oscars ... in 1999. Nominated for a Best Supporting Oscar for Hilary and Jackie, Griffiths dazzled, literally, in a shimmery pink halter-neck gown, complete with elbow-length gloves and movie-camera clutch.
2000
While most Aussies know her best as Muriel, Toni Collette proved to the world she’s anything but “terrible” with her Oscar-nominated portrayal as struggling mother Lynn Sear in The Sixth Sense. Opting to keep it classy (and classic) on the red carpet, Collette went with a black sequined dress, matching clutch and the ultimate accessory — a beaming smile.
2001
Nominated, and ultimately winning, the Best Actor Oscar for Gladiator, Russell Crowe stepped out on the red carpet wearing his grandfather’s British Honours Medal, because he wanted to take “a bit of his grandfather with him”, according to ABC News. He received criticism for the move, however, as the medal should only be warn by its recipient.
2004
Remember when Naomi Watts and Heath Ledger were an item? The good looking pair, who dated from 2002 to 2004 (the couple split not too long after this photo was taken), were just starting to make waves in Hollywood. Nominated for her role in 21 Grams, Watts shone on the red carpet in a Versace gown, while Ledger looked dapper in his suit and tie.
2005
Cate Blanchett rarely puts a foot wrong on the red carpet and to prove it she picked this yellow silk taffeta dress by Valentino for the 2005 Academy Awards. Dubbed one of the best Oscar dresses of all time by Cosmopolitan magazine, the dress had a vintage, old Hollywood vibe to it — perhaps inspired by The Aviator, the film for which Cate won the Oscar.
2006
Before his role as Avner in the Oscar-nominated Munich, Eric Bana already had a slew of great parts to his name, including Chopper, Bruce Banner and, best of all, Con Petropoulous from The Castle. On the red carpet, however, the versatile actor left Con’s tracksuits behind and went with a classic black bow tie and tux for his first Oscars appearance.
2007
The always immaculate Nicole Kidman is every inch the movie star in this floor-length Balenciaga gown. The statement bow at her neck with a long train gives the dress a unique twist. “That [dress] was controversial,” Kidman told InStyle magazine in 2016. “Some press people didn’t like it. But that kind of talk doesn’t bother me. I still liked it, especially the structure.”
2009
Acclaimed Aussie costume designer Catherine Martin appeared at the 81st Annual Academy Awards with director husband Baz Luhrmann, but it was Martin’s work that received the only Oscar nod for the film Australia. Keeping in theme with the movie, Martin chose a fabric patterned with wattle flowers and branches, and paired it with green shoes.
2013
Sure, it’s a pretty standard black tie and tux (but chic), but isn’t Hugh Jackman dashing? The sharply dressed Les Mis star looked more James Bond that Jean Valjean (the character for which he received the Oscar nomination) when he walked the red carpet with wife Deborra-Lee Furness.
2014
He may not have received an Oscar nomination, but that didn’t stop Chris Hemsworth from shining on the red carpet. The Thor star stood out from the crowd of penguin suits with a maroon jacket and vest — not to mention a superhero smile.
2016
Who needs an Academy Award when you can dress like one? Margot Robbie had jaws dropping when she rocked up in this incredible gold “snakeskin” dress — the handiwork of American designer Tom Ford. Since making her Hollywood debut in The Wolf of Wall Street, Robbie has continued to prove her acting chops — receiving an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of figure skater Tonya Harding in this year’s acclaimed flick I, Tonya.
2017
In 2009-10, he appeared in Aussie TV series Home and Away and Dance Academy, but now Luke Bracey is the latest Aussie export to make a splash in Tinseltown. He oozed confidence and style when he donned a velvet jacket to the Oscars last year. With roles in Point Break and Hacksaw Ridge, Bracey is definitely one to watch — on screen and the red carpet.
Originally published as Best and worst dressed Australian stars at the Oscars
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