• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
The Cut
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
Style
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Shopping
  • Design Hunting
  • New York Weddings
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • Motherhood
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Science of Us
  • Horoscopes
  • Ask Polly
Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
More
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • The Cut Shop
  • nymag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
vintage hollywood
February 26, 2016

How Celebrities Dressed Before ‘the Red Carpet’ Became a Juggernaut

By Véronique Hyland

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage

“You didn’t fly to Paris to get outfitted for the awards. And Paris didn’t fly to you,” Anjelica Huston told the Cut about the early days of Oscars dressing. When she won her statuette for Prizzi’s Honor in 1986, she had a dress made from fabric she bought at Beverly Silks and Woolens. “In those days, you shopped.” In those days before stylists, professional handbag-holders, Giuliana Rancic, gushing press releases about which celebrity wore which Gobstopper-size gems, and next-day red-carpet knockoffs, things were a little bit simpler.

Boxy suits, wispy lace dresses, and even pajama tops were all acceptable attire, not the peg for a “Worst Dressed” segment. Here, a look at some of our favorite unsung moments from the pre-E! epoch.

View
1 / 15 Photos
Jane Fonda At a Los Angeles party, circa 1962. Photo: 2013 Getty Images
Jack Nicholson, Anjelica Huston At the Academy Awards in 1975.
Diane Keaton At the Academy Awards in in 1976. Photo: 2004 Getty Images
Sissy Spacek At the 5th Annual AFI Lifetime Achievement Award: Salute to Bette Davis in 1977 at the Beverly Hilton.
Meryl Streep, Don Gummer At the Academy Awards in 1979.
Jodie Foster At the Foxes premiere in 1980 at MGM Studios in Culver City, California. Photo: 1980 Ron Galella
Martin Scorsese, Isabella Rossellini In 1981. Photo: Time & Life Pictures/Time & Life Pictures
Diana Ross With her daughter at the 1985 premiere of Berry Gordy's Motown film The Last Dragon.
Charlotte Rampling At the premiere of The Night Porter in 1974. Photo: Ron Galella/1974 Ron Galella
Meryl Streep In 1985. Photo: Time & Life Pictures/Time & Life Pictures
Diane Keaton At the Met in 1978. Photo: Ron Galella/1978 Ron Galella
Winona Ryder At the 4th Annual Independent Spirit Awards in 1989 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Photo: 1989 Ron Galella, Ltd.
Molly Ringwald At the 1989 premiere of Miss Firecracker.
Julia Roberts At the Golden Globes Awards in 1990 at the Beverly Hilton. Photo: 1990 Ron Galella, Ltd.
Jane Birkin At Les Victoires de la Musique in 1992.
1 / 15

Tags:

  • red carpet
  • oscars
  • anjelica huston
  • slideshows
  • fashions
  • fame
  • vintage images
  • meryl streep
  • winona ryder
  • diana ross
  • molly ringwald
  • julia roberts
  • jane fonda
  • jodie foster
  • jane birkin
  • isabella rossellini
  • sissy spacek
  • diane keaton
  • vintage hollywood
  • More

More Galleries

fashion Mar. 15, 2021
Dramatic Wedding Gowns Inspired by Flowers  Danielle Frankel bridges the gap between bridal and fashion. 
campaign trail Jan. 28, 2021
 The Best Fashion Campaigns From Spring 2021  This season’s best from Prada, Versace, Miu Miu, and more. 
By Florence O'Connor
in memoriam Dec. 30, 2020
30 Incredible Fashion Moments From Pierre Cardin  Remembering a creative visionary. 
By Andrew Nguyen
rest in power Dec. 23, 2020
A Photo Memorial for an Iconic Model  She passed away suddenly at the age of 50 this week. 
campaign trail Nov. 18, 2020
‘Tis the Season for New Fashion Ads  See the best ones from Gucci, Prada, Versace, and more. 
By Emily Burns
nyfw spring 2021 Oct. 26, 2020
How a Great Collection Comes Alive  Christopher John Rogers launched its first-ever online shop, along with a new campaign. 
By Andrew Nguyen
campaign trail Sept. 24, 2020
See the Fashion Campaigns for Fall 2020  From Prada, Michael Kors, Celine, Louis Vuitton, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
nyfw spring 2021 Sept. 22, 2020
See the Coach Spring 2021 Collection  Worn by Megan Thee Stallion, Kate Moss, Cole Sprouse, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
fashion Sept. 16, 2020
The Stunning Awkwardness of Face Masks on the Red Carpet  Celebrities tried to make the best of a strange situation at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. 
one word one shot Sept. 15, 2020
72 Designers on Their Spring/Summer Inspirations  Just in time for Fashion Week. 
By the Cut
red carpet Sept. 8, 2020
This Red Carpet Was Totally Surreal  But also amazing. See all the looks at the Venice Film Festival. 
By Emilia Petrarca and Andrew Nguyen
in memoriam Aug. 31, 2020
Remembering Chadwick Boseman on the Red Carpet  His style was bold, risk-taking, and always impeccable. 
the wedding files Aug. 21, 2020
The Design-Minded Couple Who Didn’t Want to Try Too Hard  The bride got a wonderful surprise the morning of her wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 14, 2020
A Costa Rica Wedding During the Rainy Season  Thunder roared during the toasts. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 7, 2020
A San Francisco Wedding at a Big, Empty Pier  The bride changed into crushed-velvet pants for the disco-infused reception. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 31, 2020
An Elopement Among the Lupines in Iceland  The late afternoon was spent snapping photos near waterfalls and black beaches. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 24, 2020
A Pennsylvania Potluck for 280 People  “I looked at her for the first time and had this feeling like, You. I know you.” 
By Kaitlin Menza
milan fashion week July 22, 2020
Behind the Scenes at Gucci’s Virtual Show  Instead of models, members of the design team sported the eccentric collection. 
By Andrew Nguyen
the wedding files July 17, 2020
A Dance Party Under Puerto Rican Palm Trees  Bad Bunny blasted and pitorro flowed. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 10, 2020
A Zoom Wedding Only Two Digital Creatives Could Produce  The couple coordinated multiple video segments, breakout rooms, and a dance party. 
By Kaitlin Menza
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Help
  • We’re Hiring
  • Press
  • Trademark
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Accessibility
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2021 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.