Pink Ralph Lauren dress of Gwyneth Paltrow

Pink Ralph Lauren dress of Gwyneth Paltrow
Designer Ralph Lauren
Year 1999
Type Pink dress

The Pink Ralph Lauren dress of Gwyneth Paltrow refers to the pink dress, designed by Ralph Lauren, which Gwyneth Paltrow wore to the 71st Academy Awards on 21 March 1999 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. The dress is cited by several sources as one of the greatest dresses in the history of the red carpet of the Oscars,[1][2] and the style was compared to that of the actress Grace Kelly.[3] The dress was copied en masse and Paltrow was credited for bringing pink back into fashion.[4]

Design

The actress was accompanied to the event by her parents. Paltrow received an Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Viola De Lesseps in the film Shakespeare in Love.[5] The soft pink gown designed by Ralph Lauren was made of taffeta, and has a relatively simple design. The dress has a long, wide skirt and a bodice with straps and V-shaped neckline; a scarf of the same color was tied to it. With her dress, Paltrow wore Harry Winston jewelry (necklace, bracelet and earrings valued at around $160,000), which had been a gift from her parents.[6]

Reception

In numerous surveys, the pink dress has been remembered as one of the greatest dresses worn on the red carpet of the Oscars and was ranked highly in a list of the greatest Oscar dresses by TIME Magazine.[1][7] However, fashion critics were initially divided in opinion regarding Paltrow's choice of dress.[7] TV Guide.com tells how one critic described the actress as "a Barbie doll wrapped in a satin ribbon."[6] One commentator called it "incongruous with the current fashion", but "suitable Gwyneth Paltrow".[8] The actress revived the fashion of pale pink and her selection of Ralph Lauren proved to be well received by the public and was widely emulated.[7] Paltrow is credited as bringing pink back into fashion. An owner of a teen apparel boutique in Westport, Connecticut remarked, "The year before, I wouldn't have even looked at anything pink. It would have reminded my customers of when they were little girls. Paltrow made the color cool. And Paltrow's Oscar dress turned into the number one prom dress style of the year thanks to ABS and Allen Schwartz, who is famous for making low-priced copies of Oscar dresses."[4]

In 2005 at the 77th Academy Awards, Gwyneth Paltrow wore a long, strapless dress designed by Stella McCartney, which was somewhat similar in color and style to the Ralph Lauren dress.[9]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Frankel, Susannah (16 February 2009). "Oscar's best-dressed friends". London: The Independent. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  2. ↑ "Gwyneth Paltrow's Iconic Style". Harper's Bazaar. 9 April 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  3. ↑ "Gwyneth Paltrow Oscar Diamond Studded Collar Necklace Set". Glamforless. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Gale, Colin; Kaur, Jasbir (2004). Fashion and textiles: an overview. Berg Publishers. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-85973-818-4. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  5. ↑ "Gwyneth Paltrow; Ralph Lauren". Life Magazine. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Celebration of Oscar Fashion: Gwyneth Paltrow in Pink Oscar Dress". About.com. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 #ixzz1MXHY8il6 "The 25 Best and Worst Oscar Gowns of All-TIME". Time Magazine. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  8. ↑ "Top 10 all time Best Oscar dresses". Handbag.com. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  9. ↑ "Back to the fuchsia: How Gwyneth Paltrow's always had a penchant for pink". London: Daily Mail. 4 June 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2011.