Sartorial superlatives: Cosmopolitan Editor lists iconic Oscar red carpet styles

Cher
Year: 1986
Cher doesn't mess around when it comes to making red-carpet statements. Bob Mackie designed her showgirl-worthy beaded black two-piece with a towering 2-foot headpiece made of rooster feathers-quite a sight on the red carpet in 1986!

Kim Basinger
Year: 1990
Kim decided to get creative and designed her own white satin gown. The full-skirted gown was topped with a half-jacket that featured cryptic lettering down its single sleeve. An interesting and memorable look no doubt.

Sharon Stone
Year: 1996
After weeks of speculation, Sharon Stone wound up grabbing a charcoal grey Gap tee from her closet with a Valentino trumpet skirt-making fashion history!

Nicole Kidman
Year: 1997
The delicate gold-green John Galliano for Christian Dior dress with beautiful embroidery helped Nicole secure her place on the list of ones-to-watch-out-for. It was exotic without being OTT.

Celine Dion
Year: 1999
The French singer took a risk and made a major fashion statement in her Christian Dior suit worn backwards-giving menswear a 180-degree twist!

Gwyneth Paltrow
Year: 1999
While some critics weren't happy with Gwyneth's choice of the pink satin Ralph Lauren gown, she still managed to set off a trend for the colour on the red carpet.

Renee Zellweger
Year: 2001
Having lost 35 kilos post shooting for Bridget Jones' Diary, the star looked stunning in the canary yellow, vintage-looking Jean Desses gown.

Julia Roberts
Year: 2001
Julia surprised everyone when she showed up in an elegant, vintage Valentino gown from 1982, sporting her signature million-watt smile. Ms Roberts made vintage cool again-a major milestone in fashion at that time.

Halle Berry
Year: 2002
Halle's risque Elie Saab was just the right mix of classy-meets-sexy. The peek-a-boo embroidery gave the world an idea of her amazing figure.

Jennifer Lopez
Year: 2003
JLo had a demure makeover at the 2003 Oscars which left her with approving nods from all around. She chose a one-shoulder embroidered 'prom' dress by Valentino for the red carpet.

Diane Keaton
Year: 2004
No one's quite sure what Diane was thinking when she donned this multi-piece suit for the awards-most people thought she was working a bad Jack Nicholson as The Penguin from Batman!

Charlize Theron
Year: 2004
The simply-cut, shimmering Gucci gown looked stunning on the actress. She complemented the old Hollywood glamour with 20s wavy hair and nude lips.

Uma Thurman
Year: 2004
Uma Thurman wore a couture Christian Lacroix ensemble-and got called Swiss Miss. She later revealed that the dress was beautiful but that she probably 'wore it wrong'.

Michelle Williams
Year: 2006
Thanks to this Vera Wang canary yellow gown, Michelle made it on many best dressed lists, and some even hailed it as one of the most iconic red carpet moments of the decade for the Oscars.

Sarah Jessica Parker
Year: 2009
Sarah Jessica Parker's whimsical, princess-style Christian Dior Haute Couture gown (with a generous show of cleavage) proved why the lady is a leading style star and at the top of her game.

Cate Blanchett
Year: 2011
The Oscar-winning actress was ethereal in this structured Givenchy Couture gown which got mixed reviews from the audience.

Mila Kunis
Year: 2011
Mila stole the limelight in her lavender chiffon Elie Saab gown. The tiered lace detailing and grosgrain ribbon waist looked fabulous despite her concern over losing over 15kgs in five months for Black Swan.

Angelina Jolie
Year: 2012
The thigh-high cut Versace velvet dress made headlines around the world and instantly became a classic as Ms Jolie showed off her toned legs all over the red carpet.