Red carpet fashion is all about glamour and making a lasting impression. Designers and celebrities often spend months perfecting looks that are designed to turn heads and leave viewers in awe.
Over the years, certain red-carpet outfits have not only stood out—they’ve dominated, becoming iconic moments in fashion history. Today, we’re diving into some of the most stunning and unforgettable ensembles that didn’t just push the boundaries of fashion—they redefined them. Intrigued? Get ready to explore a collection of dresses and gowns that blur the line between reality and art, with designs so bold they feel like optical illusions. Scroll down and prepare to be amazed!
#1 Emma Watson’s Levitating Dress
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In June, Emma Watson stole the spotlight in a stunning sky-blue Loewe dress that seemed to defy gravity. The gown, with its delicate, airy fabric, appeared as though it was floating around her, creating a magical, almost ethereal effect. The elegant design gave off major “Wingardium Leviosa” vibes, perfectly capturing the enchantment of the moment. Watson’s sophisticated choice for the event highlighted the designer’s avant-garde vision, while also evoking a sense of lightness and grace, making it one of the most memorable looks of the season.
#2 Keira Knightley’s Tiny Waist
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Nearly a decade ago, Keira Knightley, who was Chanel’s muse at the time, made a stunning appearance outside the brand’s runway show in Paris. She wowed onlookers in a waist-whittling ensemble that perfectly showcased her slender silhouette. The outfit, a chic and timeless piece from Chanel, combined sophisticated tailoring with a modern edge, capturing the essence of the label’s signature style. Knightley’s fashionable appearance that day only solidified her status as a muse for the iconic fashion house, leaving a lasting impression on the fashion world.
#3 Céline Dion Making Us Feel Dizzy
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In 2019, Céline Dion turned heads at Paris Couture Week, attending the Iris van Herpen show in a stunning long-sleeved gown that was both captivating and dizzying. The dress, crafted from vertical, 3D-like wavy red strands, created a mesmerizing optical illusion. The flowing, textured design seemed to shift and ripple with every movement, making it almost impossible to look at without feeling a sense of disorientation. Dion’s bold fashion choice perfectly showcased van Herpen’s mastery in blending art, technology, and couture, creating a look that was as much an experience as it was a garment.
#4 Fishy Emma Corrin
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Emma Corrin made an unforgettable statement on the red carpet at the 2022 London Film Festival, wearing a striking and bizarre gown designed by JW Anderson. The gown, which featured a whimsical design of a goldfish in a bag, instantly captured attention with its surreal and playful nature. This avant-garde piece had originally debuted at Anderson’s Spring 2023 runway show, blending high fashion with a touch of absurdity. Corrin’s daring choice pushed the boundaries of red-carpet fashion, showcasing her fearless approach to style while giving a nod to the designer’s innovative, boundary-pushing aesthetic.
#5 Joey King’s Hypnotizing Number
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At the 2020 Golden Globes, Joey King made a captivating appearance on the red carpet in a mesmerizing black-and-white dress by Iris Van Herpen. The gown, known for its intricate design and futuristic elements, created powerful optical illusion effects, making it appear as though King was floating in a sea of swirling patterns. The dress was a striking blend of high fashion and artistic innovation, with its architectural shapes and movement, highlighting the designer’s ability to push the boundaries of couture while giving King a truly ethereal look.
#6 Double Trouble With Elsa Hosk
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Elsa Hosk made an ethereal appearance at the screening of La Passion De Dodin Bouffant, wearing a breathtaking gown from Viktor & Rolf’s Spring/Summer 2023 collection. The dress, titled “Late Stage Capitalism Waltz,” offered a bold, otherworldly twist on the traditional couture ballgown. Described as “an absurd take on a stereotypical couture dress for the 21st century,” it featured exaggerated details and a strikingly unconventional silhouette, pushing the boundaries of fashion and modern design. Hosk’s stunning ensemble captured the essence of the collection’s avant-garde vision, blending high fashion with a thought-provoking commentary on contemporary society.
#7 Björk’s Infamous Swan
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On March 25, 2001, Björk made history at the 73rd Academy Awards by wearing the unforgettable swan dress designed by Marjan Pejoski. This daring and avant-garde outfit, which featured a full-bodied swan draped over Björk’s shoulders and extending down her body, instantly became one of the most talked-about red-carpet moments in fashion history. The dress, which fused surrealism with couture, was both whimsical and bold, leaving a lasting impression. Over time, it has been widely celebrated and voted as one of the most iconic and memorable dresses in red-carpet history.
#8 Jennifer Lawrence’s 2D-3D Dress
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In June 2023, Jennifer Lawrence made a memorable appearance at the “Sin Malos Rollos” premiere in Madrid, Spain, wearing a stunning nude dress by Loewe. The strapless gown was a visual masterpiece, playing with perspectives by appearing two-dimensional when viewed from the front and three-dimensional from the side. This innovative design created an eye-catching optical illusion, adding an element of modern artistry to an otherwise classic silhouette. Lawrence’s bold fashion choice captivated attention, showcasing the creative genius behind Loewe’s cutting-edge approach to design.
#9 Heidi Klum’s Moving Water Design
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Last year, Heidi Klum graced the red carpet for the Avatar 2: The Way of Water premiere, making a striking appearance in a Lever Couture dress. The gown featured dramatic sculptural sleeves and an asymmetrical bottom half, adorned with layers of excess tulle cut into thick fringe strips. A thigh-high slit added to the boldness of the design, while the intricate fringe details gave a dynamic, flowing effect. The unique dress artfully mirrored the theme of the movie, creating the illusion that Heidi was gracefully moving through water, perfectly complementing the film’s aquatic inspiration.
#10 Free The Nipple With Kendall Jenner
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In May, Kendall Jenner was spotted on a yacht, turning heads with her daring fashion choice—a little black dress designed to accentuate her figure while revealing her breasts. The striking piece was from David Koma’s Fall/Winter 2023 collection, featuring a cleverly crafted mesh design that created the illusion of a bare top. This bold optical illusion effect was central to the dress’s appeal, blending provocative style with high-fashion sophistication, and showcasing the designer’s innovative take on the classic “naked dress” trend.
#11 Emily Ratajkowski
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Emily Ratajkowski made a bold fashion statement at the Loewe Womenswear Fall/Winter 2023-2024 show during Paris Fashion Week in March. She turned heads by wearing an avant-garde outfit that featured a giant anthurium leaf as the centerpiece. The unique design, which seamlessly blended nature with high fashion, exemplified Loewe’s creative and daring approach to runway fashion. Ratajkowski’s look perfectly captured the essence of the show, which focused on experimental designs and striking visuals.
#12 Bella Hadid’s Sprayed Dress
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During Paris Fashion Week, the Parisian brand Coperni made headlines with an innovative fashion moment by literally spraying a dress onto Bella Hadid during its Spring/Summer 2023 show. The groundbreaking technique involved using a liquid fiber material that transformed into a sleek, wearable garment right before the audience’s eyes. This bold move showcased the brand’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of fashion technology and design, leaving a lasting impression on the fashion world.
#13 Kim Kardashian’s Naked People’s Choice Award Dress
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Kim Kardashian made a striking appearance in a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier dress from 1996, blending the popular optical illusion trend with the iconic naked dress design. The dress featured intricate details that created the illusion of curves and lines, adding a modern twist to a classic style known for its bold, revealing nature.
The reality TV star captivated attention as she walked the red carpet at the 2018 E! People’s Choice Awards, turning heads with her fashion choice that seamlessly fused high-fashion artistry with timeless elegance.
