Fashion

Nicole Kidman never misses the mark on the Oscars red carpet – and these gowns are proof

The Australian icon has a unique style that never fails to impress.
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Nicole Kidman is Australian’s golden girl, but she’s golden in more ways than one – as the actress from Down Under earnt herself a gold Academy Award in 2002, with her portrayal of writer Virginia Woolf in the drama The Hours.

The 55-year-old is also worthy of gold for her fashion choices, as she has been attending the Oscars since 1991 and has never put a foot (on the red carpet) wrong with the gowns she dons.

Nicole Kidman won her first (and so far, only) Best Actress Academy Award in 2002 for The Hours.

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Whilst Nicole always makes her attendance at awards appear effortless, in 2017 she admitted to Richard Wilkins on Today that she had suffered an outfit dilemma when the strap to her dress broke as they were making their way to the event.

“I had a bit of a panic because my strap on my dress broke when I got in the car,” she laughed, though it still didn’t stop her looking every bit elegant on the red carpet!

From her earliest appearance with ex-husband Tom Cruise, to her latest glamorous Oscars outings, scroll down for our favourite fashion moments from Nicole.

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In 2023 for the 94th Annual Academy Awards, Nicole’s edgy make up and hair was softened by the voluminous 3D floral roses that featured on her sequined Armani Privé gown.

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2022

For the 94th Annual Academy Awards, Nicole chose this custom Armani Privé silk bustier gown with a unique bubble skirt that sat just below her waist, with a long shimmering train attached. The gown featured a sharp pointed neckline and she paired it with a diamond encrusted necklace and bracelets.

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2018

Structure was the name of the game in 2018, when Nicole wowed us all in this striking cobalt column gown by Armani Privé.

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2017

The Best Supporting Actress nominee stepped out in a figure-hugging, nude-coloured dress with gold embellishments by Armani Privé, for the 89th Annual Academy Awards in 2017. Her number one supporter, Keith, was of course by Nic’s side.

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2013

In 2013, Nicole wore a dress from friend and designer L’Wren Scott. The gold-and-black gown really flattered her figure in every way.

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2011

Nicole chose this detailed Christian Dior dress in 2011, and added a flash of colour with neon shoes. She was nominated for best actress for Rabbit Hole but sadly didn’t take home the golden statue.

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2009

Nicole stepped out of the box with this elegant feathered style while presenting in 2009.

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Scarlet definitely suits this natural red-head, who chose a fiery and sculptural Balenciaga dress for the 2007 award show.

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At the 2006 ceremony Nicole was glowing in Balenciaga, and who could blame her? The actress was dating future-husband Keith Urban, and was clearly crazy in love.

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In 2004, Nicole opted for a Chanel Haute Couture gown that really showed off her enviable body.

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She wore a Jean Paul Gaultier haute couture gown when she took out the 2003 Oscar for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in The Hours.

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Fresh from her divorce from Tom Cruise, Nicole attended the 2002 ceremony with her sister Antonia. Nicole wore a tulle, blush-coloured Chanel gown, and was nominated for best actress in Moulin Rouge!

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In 2000, Nicole’s bias-cut dress, also Dior by John Galliano, was designed to be reminiscent of the colour of her 1997 gown. Nicole wore earrings she already had in her collections, and a pair of gloves gifted to her from Tom who picked them up in Italy.

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1997

This iconic John Galliano for Dior gown was worn by Nicole in 1997. The striking chartreuse colour was chosen especially for her by the designer, who said “it was a complete honor to dress her.”

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In 1994, Nicole and Tom attended the event to support his film, Interview with the Vampire. Nicole wore Valentino once again.

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Let’s go back in time now; Nicole and then-husband Tom Cruise wowed on the 1991 Oscars red carpet. Nic wore a Valentino velvet mini dress, with semi-opaque stockings and let her curls do their thing.

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