From indie darling to highest-grossing actor of all time, Scarlett Johansson is a 21st century Hollywood icon. Since making her breakthrough in 2001’s cultishly-adored Ghost World, the actress has gone on to star in some of the century’s most zeitgeist-defining films, both indie and mainstream. Think Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation, Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin, Spike Jonze’s Her, Noah Baumbach’s A Marriage Story and, yes, all things Marvel.
Like her filmography, Scarlett’s early-aughts style charts a trajectory from indie it girl to Hollywood powerhouse. We’re talking pink Converse, red carpet bikinis and a strawberry blonde mullet. But then we’re also talking Marilyn Monroe homages, Bob Mackie-esque bombshell moments and polished Met Gala gowns. As we look forward to the new face of Prada’s highly-anticipated turn in Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City, we look back at the actress’ career through a selection of her most iconic outfits.
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At “The Others” premiere, 2001
In 2001, Scarlett made her breakthrough playing Ghost World’s sarcastic sidekick, Rebecca. Other than their middle-parted lob haircut, Scarlett and her character share little, sartorially, in common. While Rebecca became a cinematic style icon for her comic book-esque, colourful cardigans and crewneck tees, Scarlett took a more gothic approach to Y2K in sheer blouses and jet black.
At the Independent Spirit Awards, 2003
Remember Scarlett’s mullet era? After filming Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation, the actress chopped her shoulder-length cut into a bleach-blonde mullet. The dramatic ‘do made its red carpet debut at the 2003 Independent Spirit Awards, alongside this edgy backless look.
At the Legally Blonde 2 premiere, 2003
In 2003, Scarlett’s style was very much what you’d expect from a newly-minted Sofia Coppola protagonist: girly, romantic, eccentric and edgy, all at once. Wardrobe staples at the time included Barbie pink and turquoise, 40s and 50s vintage styles, and tons of black eyeliner. Here, at the premiere of Legally Blonde 2, Scarlett wears all her style signatures in one iconic outfit.
At the Venice Film Festival, 2003
At Lost in Translation’s Venice Film Festival premiere, Scarlett gave us her brattiest, pop-punk-iest Marilyn Monroe impression in a vintage white halter and pink Converse. It’s fun to note that this look was extremely prescient to the famous, anachronistic Converse Sofia Coppola included in Marie Antoinette. Perhaps it served as inspiration? We may never know. Demi Lovato also seemingly referenced the look in her debut single “La La Land”, meaning the cultural impact of this outfit truly knows no bounds.
At the Hollywood Awards, 2003
If it isn’t clear by now: Scarlett loved a backless moment. Here she is, at the Hollywood Awards, wearing a crushed velvet mini with a plunging neck and even lower back.
At the Brit Awards, 2004
In 2004, Scarlett presented the award for Album of the Year at the Brit Awards in a glitzy, Bob Mackie-inspired number that showcased the star she was quickly becoming. A month later she would scoop a BAFTA — her first major acting award — for her role in Lost in Translation.
At the Met Gala, 2004
In 2004, Scarlett placed her own spin on the Met Gala’s theme — Dangerous Liaisons — in a Calvin Klein gown that merged a bit of 18th century sensibility with a lot of Old Hollywood glamour. What else would we expect from one of modern cinema’s biggest icons?