Great Outfits in Fashion History: Cate Blanchett's First Oscars Look

There are perfectly good celebrity style moments, and then there are the looks that really stick with you, the ones you try desperately to recreate at home. In ‘Great Outfits in Fashion History,’ Fashionista editors are revisiting their all-time favorite lewks.

As a two-time Academy Award winner and one of the most talented actresses gracing our screens, Cate Blanchett is no stranger to a red carpet. With a commanding presence and sleek style to match, her red carpet looks turn heads for all the right reasons.

Blanchett’s first time at the Oscars, in 1999, was no exception: The best actress nominee for “Elizabeth” donned a dark-purple John Galliano gown with a sheer back embroidered with flowers and a hummingbird. Reminiscent of the quintessential ’90s slip dress, the Galliano gown hugged Blanchett’s body and flared out at the bottom, where another embroidered hummingbird is carefully placed. The gown’s playful sheerness and intricate detailing made Blanchett look like a seasoned red-carpet pro.

A dress like this needs no extra embellishment – a few bracelets and a statement red lip were plenty. Her straight, layered hairstyle and minimalistic makeup made this an iconically ’90s look. A known fan of rewearing and revamping her past looks, Blanchett could wear this dress on the red carpet today and be totally on trend and equally as show-stopping.

Although she didn’t take home the Oscar that night, Blanchett won best dressed in our eyes. Shop our picks for your own ethereal embroidery moment below.