Nicole Kidman’s Red Carpet Risks Always Pay Off
For the past three decades, Nicole Kidman has turned heads on the red carpet with bold sartorial statements. Sharp tailored suits, sequined column gowns, tiers and tiers of ruffles—you name it, she’s done it, and with aplomb.
The actress, who can be seen on the small screen with Big Little Lies and The Perfect Couple and in all her silver screen glory with roles in Being the Ricardos and Babygirl, is at her best when she’s fully embracing a truly daring fashion moment. Case in point: the now iconic John Galliano for Christian Dior couture dress, done in chartreuse silk and trimmed in mink. Nowadays, the actress is almost always outfitted in some sort of Balenciaga confection (usually couture) on the red carpet, but also counts brands like Ferragamo, Schiaparelli, and Armani as her step and repeat favorites. Below, relive the best of the best of Nicole Kidman’s red carpet fashion.
2024: Babygirl Premiere
For the Babygirl premiere, the actress slipped into a stunning Balenciaga look that referenced the brand’s 1960s couture archives.
2024: Gotham Awards
Kidman went the vintage route for her 2024 Gotham Awards look, picking out this floral number from Dolce & Gabbana’s fall 1998 collection.
2024: Governors Awards
Kidman dazzled at the 2024 Governors Awards in a draped Celine by Hedi Slimane gown with thigh-high slit and shoulder cutouts.
2024: Spellbound Premiere
Kidman, wearing a sheer Boho dress by Dolce & Gabbana, brought back her signature ’90s curls for the Spellbound premiere.
2024: Academy Museum Gala
In a black Balenciaga gown and matching opera gloves, the actress went for classic Hollywood glamour at the 2024 Academy Museum Gala.
2024: The Perfect Couple Premiere
Kidman’s sparkly Ferragamo look nearly plunged to her navel when she stepped out to the 2024 The Perfect Couple premiere.
2024: Venice Film Festival
For the Venice premiere of her erotic thriller Babygirl, Kidman made quite the red carpet statement. She picked out an off-the-runway Schiaparelli dress that featured a sculptural chandelier bodice.
2024: Met Gala
The actress shut down the 2024 Met Gala red carpet in this archival-inspired Balenciaga couture gown.
2024: AFI Lifetime Achievement Award Gala
Kidman lit up the red carpet of the 2024 AFI Lifetime Achievement Award Gala in a fully sequined Balenciaga design.
2024: Expats Premiere
Va-va-voom is right. Kidman brought the heat for the New York City premiere of Expats in a backless custom Versace dress that featured a pretty hefty side slit.
2023: Expats Screening
Naked dressing doesn’t have to be raunchy—as evidenced here by Kidman’s demure Fendi couture dress that she slipped into for an Expats screening.
2023: Omega Exhibition Opening
For an Omega event in New York City, Kidman provided an extremely elegant twist on the bow trend with a monochrome Balenciaga look.
2023: Country Music Awards
Kidman literally hit all the right notes at the 2023 Country Music Awards with this cut-out Coperni dress complete with a percussion instrument that doubled as a closure.
2023: Kering Caring For Women Dinner
Kidman topped off her Balenciaga bow dress with one big ribbon across her waist during the 2023 Kering Caring For Women Dinner.
2023: Special Ops: Lioness Premiere
Kidman flashed a bit of skin at the Special Ops: Lioness premiere in a black Saint Laurent dress that she matched with sheer opera gloves.
2023: Academy of Country Music Awards
While supporting hubby Keith Urban at the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards, Kidman put a daring spin on Chanel’s classic tweed suiting with a bedazzled burnt orange version. She opted to let the jacket take center stage by not wearing a shirt underneath.
2023: Met Gala
Kidman pulled off what may have been on the biggest fashion swerves in Met Gala history at the 2023 edition honoring the legacy of the late Karl Lagerfeld. She showed up in a custom Chanel Couture gown that Lagerfeld had designed specifically for her to wear in her iconic Chanel No. 5 commercial.
2023: Academy Awards
Kidman opted for a leg-baring Giorgio Armani Privé gown at the 2023 Academy Awards.
2022: The Northman Premiere
Kidman opted for Prada at the premiere of her film The Northman, but the particular shade of chartreuse couldn’t help but conjure images of a particularly famous Dior dress she wore to the 1997 Oscars that’s waiting for you down below.
2022: Academy Awards
At the 2022 Oscars, Kidman again wore Armani Privé and had the dress custom dyed in a specific shade of delicate blue. “I was like, ‘I really want to wear blue.’ So this was the color; They made this color,” she told E! News.
2022: Screen Actors Guild Awards
Kidman looked gorgeous in this Saint Laurent column dress with long sleeves and a collar detail.
2021: Being the Ricardos Australia Premiere
For the third premiere of Being the Ricardos, Kidman went for a more festive look in a patterned, Etro dress.
2021: Being the Ricardos Los Angeles Premiere
Kidman went full Hollywood glam for the LA premiere of Being the Ricardos in a taupe tulle ballgown from Armani Privé.
2021: Being the Ricardos New York Premiere
Kidman wore a vintage-inspired Chanel fall/winter 2021/22 couture dress for the first Being the Ricardos premiere in December 2021.
2021: CMA Awards
Supporting husband Keith Urban at the 55th annual Country Music Association Awards.
2020: Golden Globes
Kidman wore a jaw-dropping red Atelier Versace gown paired with simple jewelry and a gold bag at the 2020 Golden Globes.
2020: Critics Choice Awards
The actress chose an old favorite in a black strapless Armani Privé gown for the Critics Choice Awards in 2020.
2020: SAG Awards
Old Hollywood glam at the 2020 SAG Awards.
2019: Big Little Lies Season 2 Premiere
A feather and sequin one-two punch at HBO's Big Little Lies season 2 premiere in New York, 2019.
2018: SAG Awards
Although Kidman’s Armani Privé gown turned heads at the 2018 SAG Awards, it was her acceptance speech imploring Hollywood to support women’s stories in films that made headlines that year.
2018: Academy Awards
In an Armani Privé showstopper at the 2018 Oscars.
2017: CMT Awards
Never one to shy away from a daring look, Kidman wore lacy Off-White at the 2017 CMT awards in Nashville.
2017: CFDA Fashion Awards
Taking Oscar de la Renta to the next level at the 2017 CFDA Fashion Awards.
2017: Cannes Film Festival
The actress is a favorite over at Michael Kors, which she wore to The Beguiled screening during the Cannes Film Festival in 2017.
2017: Academy of Country Music Awards
Kidman opted for a floral Alexander McQueen gown at the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards in 2017.
2017: SAG Awards
A Gucci moment, sequined parrots and all, at the 2017 SAG Awards.
2017: Golden Globe Awards
The Australian actress went for drama in Alexander McQueen at the 2017 Golden Globe Awards.
2015: Academy Awards
A standout sequin dress at the 2015 Academy Awards.
2014: Cannes Film Festival
A princess moment at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.
2012: Golden Globes
Skintight Versace at the 2012 Golden Globes.
2011: Grammy Awards
Ornate ruffles at the 2011 Grammy Awards.
2011: Academy Awards
Strapless and structured at the Academy Awards in 2011.
2011: SAG Awards
A slightly goth look at the 2011 SAG Awards.
2011: Golden Globes
Pale yellow sequins at the 2011 Golden Globe Awards.
2008: Academy Awards
Kidman shows black doesn’t equal basic by layering on diamond necklaces at the Academy Awards in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2008.
2005: Golden Globes
At the 62nd Annual Golden Globe awards in 2005, Kidman wore Gucci in a daring teal hue, which was offset with peacock feather accents.
2004: Academy Awards
For the 76th Annual Academy Awards in 2004, Kidman went for icy blue and strapless.
2003: Academy Awards
Taking home Oscar gold in 2003 wearing an asymmetrical black gown by Jean Paul Gaultier.
2003: Met Gala
Later that year, Kidman selected Tom Ford for Gucci at one of her many Met Gala appearances.
2003: Golden Globes
More ruffles, this time in a lovely lavender hue, in 2003.
2002: Golden Globes
Kidman was an early adopter of the formal choker, wearing a black version to the Golden Globes in 2002.
2000: Academy Awards
A golden goddess moment in cascading metallic ruffles and matching fingerless gloves—one of her famed Dior looks from the 2000 Oscars.
1999: Eyes Wide Shut Premiere
Baring her midriff at the premiere of Eyes Wide Shut in Los Angeles, 1999.
1997: Academy Awards
The actress stunned in John Galliano for Dior at the 1997 Academy Awards.
1996: Golden Globes
Accepting her Golden Globe in a slightly bridal strapless gown in 1996.
1995: Batman Forever Los Angeles Premiere
Kidman donned shimmering sequins for the Batman Forever Los Angeles premiere in 1995.
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