A wistful look back at 13 Oscars red carpet risktakers

Much has been said about this year’s lackluster Academy Awards nominations, and we’re worried that the red carpet at this Sunday’s ceremony will meet the same fate. Sure, everyone is bound to look beautiful — I mean, Julianne Moore is going to be in the building — but it seems like the current red carpet has become perhaps too stylized, too well-studied, and just too, well… safe.

While we’re always up for a good glam moment — Lupita N’yongo’s Prada “Nairobi blue”  from last year certainly gave us life — there is a certain undertow of “zero fux given” that has been missing in recent years. You know, the brazen attitude that allows Hollywood starlets to take risks, to go out on a limb and fearlessly throw stuffed swans around their necks. Admittedly, sometimes execution of these crazy looks may fall flat, but at least the ladies got creative.

Now red carpet decisions are as political as the Oscar ballot results. Though they may complain about the hassle of dressing up, actors’ ties with design houses — coupled with the power “Best and Worst Dressed” lists wield — is enough to make or break a star’s career. No wonder celebrities play it safe.

Still: We’re nostalgic for the bold, in-your-face heydays. So we compiled 13 dynamic/weird/fun red carpet ensembles to help give this season’s leading ladies some inspiration. From our lips to those stylists’s ears.

Images via Getty

1. Björk, 2001

2. Uma Thurman, 2004

3. Celine Dion, 1999

4. Gwyneth Paltrow, 2002

5. Geena Davis, 1992

6. Diane Keaton, 2004

7. Helena Bonham Carter, 2011 and 2013

8. Demi Moore, 1989

9. Helen Lasichanh, 2014

10. Faith Hill, 2002

11. Angelina Jolie, 2000

12. Lizzy Gardnier, 1995

13. Cher, 1986 and 1988

Marjon Carlos is a style and culture writer for Fusion who boasts a strong turtleneck game and opinions on the subjects of fashion, gender, race, pop culture, and men’s footwear.