Skip to main contentMarch 3, 2025
This awards season has brought some major archival pulls to the red carpet, from Cynthia Erivo’s silver Alexander McQueen for Givenchy couture gown from fall 1997 at the SAG Awards, to Kylie Jenner’s embellished John Galliano slip dress from spring 1995 at the BAFTAs.
While there may have been fewer true vintage pieces on the Oscars red carpet (Scarlett Johansson’s navy velvet Mugler gown from fall 1999 being an exception), there were plenty of archival references for us to get our teeth into. Take Best Actress winner Mikey Madison, who sported a custom baby-pink Dior gown featuring a black velvet bandeau, which was inspired by the French house’s Bal à Paris 1956 gown (and also recalled the vintage Armani dress that she wore to the Critics’ Choice Awards).
Then there was Elle Fanning, who wore Sarah Burton’s first custom haute couture look for Givenchy, inspired by a white lace dress from Hubert de Givenchy’s first collection from 1952. The historical references didn’t stop there: Cynthia Erivo’s dramatic custom performance look by Vivienne Westwood paid homage to the designer’s closing bridal gown from spring 1997, while Doja Cat’s leopard-print Balmain dress harked back to a Pierre Balmain design from 1953.
Over at the Vanity Fair Oscar after-party, where vintage has been a popular choice in recent years, the stars once again didn’t disappoint. Kendall Jenner caused gasps in the Vogue office with her black lace Thierry Mugler gown from spring 1992; Kaia Gerber wowed in a cream slip dress from spring 1997, worn with a matching cape; while Hailey Bieber opted for an understated LBD from Yves Saint Laurent’s 1987 couture collection.
Below, see all the best vintage and vintage-inspired looks from Oscars night.
- Wearing Sarah Burton’s first haute couture creation for Givenchy, inspired by a white lace dress from Hubert de Givenchy’s first collection from 1952.
- In a baby-pink custom Dior dress, paying homage to the French house’s Bal à Paris 1956 gown.
- For her Oscars performance, the Wicked star wore a recreation of the bridal gown from Vivienne Westwood’s spring 1997 collection.
- In a leopard-print dress by Balmain, referencing a Pierre Balmain design from 1953.
- Wearing a navy Thierry Mugler gown from fall 1999.
