Oh yes! The award show season has befallen us and we can’t help but gush over and over again with the red carpet dresses that grace our TV screens.
During this time, I’m sure you’ve heard designer names and you may have said once or twice “Oh, that is why she looks great, [designer name] dressed her!”
However, in most cases, our attention is focused on the celebrity and not at the designer, which is quite unfair since they’re the one who made the dress! That is why we’re celebrating the award show seasons most popular designers today and acknowledging who dresses who.
Ready? Let’s put a face on those names and give credit where credit is due. Here are the most popular award show season designers:
1. Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein
Francisco Costa has dressed Barbara Streisand, Cher, Sienna Miller and Lupita Nyon’o. When asked about his favorite red carpet moment, he said:
“Lupita’s appearance at the Academy Awards was definitely a highlight. The dress was such an iconic Calvin Klein silhouette — so luxurious — and she carried it with such grace,” referring to Nyong’o’s dress made from 6,000 hand-sewn pearls.
2. Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel
Karl Lagerfeld dressed Julianne Moore, Keira Knightley, Kristen Stewart and Diane Kruger in 2015. How does he describe the fashion biz? He said:
“This job is for warriors. This is not for romantic softies. The day you sign a contract for a big job at a big company, you know what to expect.”
3. Giambattista Valli
Giambattista Valli’s big red carpet moment was when he dressed Rihanna in 2015. He is also a favorite of Amal Clooney. What’s his red carpet philosophy?
“It’s not important how many people you dress, but who you dress. Whoever walks the red carpet needs to reflect your maison‘s spirit. Lately, brands are putting too much effort to dress as many people as possible. I focus more on people with whom I can build a conversation. The red carpet is not a business, but [something on which] you share the pleasure of creating something together.”
4. Alessandro Michele of Gucci
In 2015, Alessandro Michele dressed Cate Blanchett, Chloe Grace Moretz and Lupita Nyong’o. His biggest red carpet moment was when Sienna Miller wore two of his creations in Cannes. Further, he also worked on Madonna’s costumes in her Rebel Heart Tour. Michele chooses to do things differently:
“I am trying to cause a little revolution inside the company, to push another language, a different way to talk about beauty and ‘sexiness,’ which is an old word.”
5. Nicolas Ghesquiere of Louis Vuitton
Nicolas Ghesquiere has dressed Alicia Vikander (his biggest red carpet moment), Catherine Deneuve, Sofia Coppola, Nicole Kidman and Rachel Weisz.
6. Donatella Versace
The infamous Donatelle Versace has dressed Jane Fonda, Miley Cyrus, Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johansson, Caitlyn Jenner, Rita Ora and Jennifer Lopez. Here’s her red carpet fashion philosophy:
“Icons have always been a part of the Versace DNA, whether of mythological times or today’s icons on the red carpet. The perfect red-carpet moment is when we can create a unique Atelier Versace gown that lets the individual’s power and beauty shine.”
7. Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli of Valentino
Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli has dressed Julianne Moore, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, Reese Witherspoon, Tilda Swinton, Rihanna, Alba Rohrwacher, Gwyneth Paltrow and Keira Knightly. Chiuri and Piccioli can’t help but feel flattered. Chiuri said:
“We are very honored to see our dresses worn by so many actresses because it reveals facets of their personality.”
8. Tom Ford
Tom Ford is no stranger to red carpet dresses. He has dressed Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore and Beyonce. He has also dressed men like Jared Leto, Jay Z and Elton John. What does the fashion business mean for Ford?
“It is not about dressing everybody. It is about dressing the right person in the right thing to create a truly memorable moment.”
9. Hedi Slimane of Saint Laurent
Last year, Hedi Slimane dressed Dakota Johnson, Cara Delevigne and Margot Robbit. However, his biggest red carpet moment was when he dressed Robbie at the 2015 Oscars. Christina Erhlich, Robbie’s stylist had this to say:
“Sending a message of Yves Saint Laurent’s androgynous yet sexy aesthetic on a carpet is as important for an actress as it is for a woman on the street.”
10. Roksanda Ilincic of Roksanda
Roksanda Ilincic dressed Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett and Elizabeth Banks last year. Her biggest red carpet moment was with Bullock at the L.A. premiere of Minions. For Ilincic, red carpet magic can be achieved:
“It’s important to have comfort and function meet fresh design, to look polished and effortless at the same time. I think a good dress will always have an element of red-carpet magic in it.”
11. Miuccia Prada of Prada and Miu Miu
Miuccia Prada is more known for his avant garde style, but still, Diane Kruger, Olivia Wilder, Emily Blunt, Uma Thurman, Rachel Weisz, Sienna Miller and Kerry Washington love her work. How does she describe her red carpet work?
“I am a very trendy person. I am always interested in what’s next.”
12. Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren has dressed Robin Wright, Julianne Moore, Jessica Chastain, Shailene Woodley and Anna Hathaway. What’s his biggest red carpet tip?
“A woman can often become the victim of the red carpet and lose her own sense of identity,” says Lauren. Those that take it in stride are those that seem confident about who they are and let their personal style walk with them.”
13. Zac Posen
Zac Posen looks for a celebrity’s red carpet magic and he has seen this in the likes of Katie Holmes, Naomi Watts, Viola Davis, Dakota Fanning, Amy Schumer and Michelle Obama. What’s his process in making a red carpet dress?
“When building the dress, it starts with draping fabric, having in mind the woman whom you are designing for. The shape gets reworked in my atelier, and from there, it’s about details: placement of seams, stitches and body architecture. It’s a true collaboration with the celebrity.”
14. Zuhair Murad
Zuhair Murad has dressed Kristen Stewart, Nina Dobrev and Jennifer Lopez. What’s his red carpet rule?
“I prefer a strong silhouette, embellished yet always luxurious and ultrafeminine.”
15. Alexander Wang of Balenciaga
Alexander Wang is currently building his own brand after working under Balenciaga for a while. He has dressed Dakota Johnson, Taraji Henson, Julianna Moore, Zoe Kravitz, Rooney Mara, Emilia Clarke, Nicola Peltz and Lily James. Nonetheless, amongst his favorite is Nicole Kidman.
“Nicole brings poise and grace to everything she wears, even if it’s a T-shirt and jeans. She’s able to transform clothes and the way you perceive them. That’s true style.”
16. Raf Simons of Christian Dior
Raf Simmons has dresses a lot of A-list celebs like Jennifer Lawrence, Natalie Portman, Marion Cottilard, Emilia Clarke, Charlize Theron, Emma Stone, Lily James, Rihanna, Dakota Johnson and Felicity Jones. Here’s what Simons had to say about the impact of social media in his designs:
“Internet media has changed the way we pay attention to clothes… Is the constant Tumblr of images and cultures a threat or an opportunity? I’m not so interested myself, but I am interested that other people are interested.”
17. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana of Dolce & Gabbana
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are a veteran of red carpet events having made 107 appearances already. The dynamic duo has dressed Jennifer Lopez, Fan Bingbing, Emilia Clarke, Emily Blunt, Kerry Washington, Gwen Stefani, Zoe Saldana and Elizabeth Banks. When asked about their biggest red carpet moment, they point to Banks at the Venice Film Festival wearing a white belted mermaid dress.
18. Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani is a name that will be remembered for centuries and centuries. Last year, he dressed Naomi Watts, Reese Witherspoon and Cate Blanchett. For the Hollywood actors, he has dressed Leonardo Dicaprio and Tom Cruise. And what does he think about the red carpet affair?
“Nowadays, red-carpet events are an actual business. Celebrities have a strong impact on people who see them as models and are influenced by their clothing choices. This effect has become even more powerful thanks to digital resources and social media. The picture of a dress worn by a star goes around the world within seconds, and this has a huge impact on the public’s taste.”
19. Michael Kors
Michael Kors always works his red carpet magic on celebrities. This is why Emily Blunt, Anne Hathaway, Taylor Swift, Michelle Obama, Olivia Wilde, Gwyneth Paltrow, Emma Stone, Kate Hudson and Gigi Hadid all trust his taste. What is the secret behind is red carpet success?
“The dress should make the woman feel like her best self… You want it to fit well, complement her style and show off her personality all while looking glamorous and chic. And of course, it should look great from every angle.”
20. Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy
Riccardo Tisci has dressed Rosamund Pike, Julianne Moore, Jessica Chastain, Rooney Mara, Kim Kardashian, Julia Roberts and Amanda Seyfried. Why do these celebrities love him? Tisci shares his approach:
“The way we do celebrities in my opinion is personal… You have to get to know them to understand the body. You listen, and you collaborate. We have to say no a lot, too. It doesn’t work for them or for us if it’s not the right collaboration.”