Cate Blanchett is one of the most talented actors of her generation. Since breaking out with 1998’s Elizabeth, the Aussie star has collected two Oscars, four Golden Globes and countless other accolades for a myriad of virtuosic performances spanning the realms independent movies, Hollywood blockbuster and the stage. Cate doesn’t just transform into a character, she inhabits the role. Think of her nailing Katharine Hepburn’s clipped, transatlantic cadence in Scorcese’s The Aviator or Bob Dylan’s aloof North Central drawl in I’m Not There. And who could forget Cate as the glamorous Carol Aird, the mystical Galadriel, and, of course, the larger-than-life Lydia Tár.
Cate’s sartorial resumé is just as prestigious, her red carpet looks as pristine as her performances. She’s attended the Oscars in Galliano and Gaultier, the Globes in Givenchy, Cannes in McQueen, and, when all else fails, there’s always a polished Giorgio Armani gown that will do the trick. Here, we look back at the actress’ most iconic looks, from the 90s to now.
At the Academy Awards, 1999
Talk about “out the gate running.” After gaining recognition in her native Australia, Cate Blanchett came to the attention of the international film industry with 1998 biopic Elizabeth. The breakthrough role, which saw Cate take on Queen Elizabeth I, also garnered the actress her first Oscar nomination. To her first Academy Awards ceremony, Cate donned this gorgeous backless gown designed by John Galliano. Now referred to as “The Hummingbird Dress”, the look features a plunging tulle back embroidered with crawling floral vines and a hummingbird, mid-flight.
At the Academy Awards, 2000
At the 2000 Oscars, Cate followed up her Galliano look with another backless gown, designed by another one of fashion’s enfants terribles, Jean-Paul Gaultier. With the help of jewelry designer Cynthia Bach, Cate accessorized the look with a series of antique Mughal jewels, including ruby bangles, gold armbands and the pièce de resistance, the neckpiece that cascaded down Cate’s back.
At The Curious Case of Benjamin Button premiere, 2008
From Galliano to Gaultier, Cate has a thing for fashion’s iconoclasts. Here, to the 2008 premiere of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, she wears a look by yet another: a glittering dress from Alexander McQueen’s SS09 collection. With its bell-shaped silhouette and all-over glitz, the look was avant-garde, even by Cate’s standards.
At the Academy Awards, 2011
Cate’s always had her finger to the pulse of the fashion industry. And, in 2011, Riccardo Tisci was having his moment at Givenchy. So, naturally, Cate showed up to the year’s Oscars wearing a jaw-dropping, one-of-a-kind creation pulled from the house’s SS11 Couture collection. And, of course, just like the Gallianos and Gaultiers before it, the look was backless.
At the Golden Globes, 2016
Five years later, Cate followed up her gorgeous 2011 Oscars look with another, equally stunning Givenchy-par-Tisci confection. This ornate fringe-and-lacework number was a riff on a similar gown from the house’s FW15 Couture collection. And, before you ask, yes, it was most certainly backless.
At the Ocean’s 8 premiere, 2018
No one wears a suit like Cate. Think Ocean’s 8’s velvet three-piecer and Tár’s head-to-toe The Row tailoring. Cate’s Oceans press tour was chock full of immaculate suiting (Gucci brocade and purple Ferragamo), but this spangled Missoni look takes the cake.
At the Venice Film Festival, 2022
Cate’s red carpet style is the gift that keeps on giving. While supporting last year’s Tár, the actress arrived at the Venice Film Festival wearing her most opulent look to date: a bouquet-ed jumpsuit pulled from Schiaparelli’s FW22 Couture collection. Soignée, decadent, but never, ever boring. Just what we expect of a red carpet fashion plate over two decades in the making.