The most iconic Oscars costumes of all time

Costumes have the ability to transport viewers to another place entirely and as esteemed eight-time Academy Award-winning costume designer Edith Head said:

“What a costume designer does is a cross between magic and camouflage. We create the illusion of changing the actors into what they are not.

So to celebrate the 91st Academy Awards on February 25th, Stylight has illustrated the 18 most iconic costumes in Oscar history that were worthy of the prestigious award in their own right!

From historical robes and elegant gowns to fantasy costumes and swanky suits, we take a look back at the most fashionable moments in film.

What many people don’t know is that for the first 21 years of the Oscars, there was no ‘Best Costume Design’ award. This category was only introduced in 1949 and since then the undisputed queen of costume design has been Edith Head.

Head was nominated a staggering 35 times over the course of her career and won eight different Oscar awards.

A well-done historical costume has the power to transport and immerse viewers into another era. And with a historically accurate look comes extensive research and meticulous attention to detail. Think back to the Southern style dresses in Gone with the Wind or Kate Winslet’s ill-fated looks in Titanic – how would the films have been impacted if not for the historically realistic costume designs?

The fantasy genre allows both the costume and set designers to flex their creativity and realize their visions for the film. Colleen Atwood, the costume designer behind Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, said this of her craft: “Costumes are the first impression that you have of the character before they open their mouth. It establishes who they are.”

While some costumes need dirt, blood, and tatters to fit the film, others are simply able to be beautiful. Take Natalie Portman’s Black Swan costume: The gorgeous tutu made from black tulle and studded with Swarovski crystals famously did not win costume designer Amy Westcott the coveted award, but the beauty of the costume cannot be overlooked.

Carey Mulligan also looked amazing in her Great Gatsby looks, the product of a creative collaboration between costume designer Catherine Martin and Prada.

In Lady Gaga’s A Star is Born, costume designer Erin Benach sourced Ally’s outfits from a mixture of Lady Gaga’s own clothing, vintage finds, and custom-made designer pieces.

In Bohemian Rhapsody, Rami Malek was able to transform into Freddie Mercury with help from costume designer Julian Day. Queen’s lead guitarist, Brian May, who was also an executive music producer and creative consultant on the film, actually lent Day some of his own Queen-era pieces from the ’70s and ’80s for the film.