White Marc Bouwer dress of Angelina Jolie
{{short description|White dress worn by Angelina Jolie}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox clothing item
| image_file =
| caption =
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| year = 2004
| type = White satin dress
| designer = Marc Bouwer
| material = Silk
}}
American actress Angelina Jolie wore a white satin dress with a plunging neckline designed by Marc Bouwer on February 29, 2004, to the 76th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre, where she presented the award for Best Art Direction. The dress garnered praise from fashion magazines and media publications, and has been placed on numerous lists for best Oscars or red carpet fashion.
Background and design
The dress was created as an homage to the white dress of Marilyn Monroe worn in The Seven Year Itch.{{cite web |last1=Wickman |first1=Kase |title=Angelina Jolie's 2004 Oscars Dress Stuns Again on Sydney Sweeney at Oscars 2024 |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/angelina-jolies-2004-oscars-dress-stuns-again-on-sydney-sweeney-at-oscars-2024 |website=Vanity Fair |access-date=December 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217215400/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/angelina-jolies-2004-oscars-dress-stuns-again-on-sydney-sweeney-at-oscars-2024 |archive-date=December 17, 2024 |date=March 11, 2024 |url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} The piece is made of silk and features a low-cut neckline with a draped waist, flowing maxi skirt, an open back and fabric draped around the wrists.{{cite web |last1=Bernabe |first1=Angeline |title=Sydney Sweeney steps out in Angelina Jolie's 2004 Oscars dress at Vanity Fair party |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/sydney-sweeney-steps-angelina-jolies-2004-oscars-dress/story?id=108018188 |website=ABC News |access-date=December 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311200813/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/sydney-sweeney-steps-angelina-jolies-2004-oscars-dress/story?id=108018188 |archive-date=March 11, 2024 |date=March 11, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Velasco |first1=Matthew |title=Sydney Sweeney Channels Angelina Jolie and Marilyn Monroe With One Dress |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/sydney-sweeney-angelina-jolie-marc-bouwer-oscars-dress |website=W Magazine |access-date=December 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930160709/https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/sydney-sweeney-angelina-jolie-marc-bouwer-oscars-dress |archive-date=September 30, 2024 |date=March 11, 2024 |url-status=live}} Jolie paired the look with layers of silver necklaces, including a waterfall piece by H. Stern valued at over $1 million,{{cite web |last1=Cary |first1=Alice |title=10 Times Angelina Jolie's Spectacular Jewellery Lit Up The Red Carpet |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/gallery/angelina-jolie-jewellery |website=British Vogue |access-date=December 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209172057/https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/gallery/angelina-jolie-jewellery |archive-date=February 9, 2021 |date=February 9, 2021 |url-status=live}} and a "half-up half-down" hairstyle.{{cite web |last1=Gowtham |first1=Swarna |title=Sydney Sweeney Dons Angelina Jolie's 2004 Academy Awards Gown to the Oscars After-Party |url=https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/sydney-sweeney-wears-angelina-jolie-oscars-dress |website=L'Officiel |access-date=December 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422022439/https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/sydney-sweeney-wears-angelina-jolie-oscars-dress |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |date=March 11, 2024 |url-status=live}} Jolie wore the dress on February 29, 2004, when presenting the award for Best Art Direction at the 76th Academy Awards hosted at the Kodak Theatre.{{Cite web|last=Frankel|first=Susannah| title =Oscar's best-dressed friends: The most memorable fashion winners and losers| work = The Independent| date = February 16, 2009| accessdate = January 27, 2025| url = https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/oscar-s-bestdressed-friends-the-most-memorable-fashion-winners-and-losers-1622657.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220012949/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/oscar-s-bestdressed-friends-the-most-memorable-fashion-winners-and-losers-1622657.html|archive-date=December 20, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Gilchrist |first1=Ava |title=Sydney Sweeney Wore Angelina Jolie's 2004 Oscars Dress To The Oscars After Party, 20 Years Later |url=https://graziamagazine.com/articles/sydney-sweeney-angelina-jolie-oscars-dress/ |website=Grazia Magazine |access-date=December 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312081220/https://graziamagazine.com/articles/sydney-sweeney-angelina-jolie-oscars-dress/ |archive-date=March 12, 2024|date=March 11, 2024 |url-status=live}}
Reception
Critical reception to the dress focused on the material and color, describing both as difficult to wear stylishly. Most critics agreed that the look was a success for Jolie, and comparisons were drawn to several classic Hollywood stars, including Rita Hayworth, Jean Harlow, and especially Marilyn Monroe.{{cite web |last1=Ginsberg |first1=Merle |title=Sydney Sweeney Twins With Angelina Jolie Across Two Decades |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/style/sydney-sweeney-wears-angelina-jolie-2004-oscars-gown-1235849250/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=December 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311173616/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/style/sydney-sweeney-wears-angelina-jolie-2004-oscars-gown-1235849250/ |archive-date=March 11, 2024 |date=March 11, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Revisiting Angelina Jolie's Best Oscars Fashion—Including That Surprising Suit |language=en |work=Vogue |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/angelina-jolie-best-oscars-red-carpet-dresses-celebrity-style |date=February 22, 2017|access-date=September 29, 2017 |archive-date=September 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929091741/https://www.vogue.com/article/angelina-jolie-best-oscars-red-carpet-dresses-celebrity-style |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/angelina-jolie-style-hits/oscars-marc-bouwer/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920180737/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/angelina-jolie-style-hits/oscars-marc-bouwer/|archive-date=September 20, 2016|title=Angelina Jolie's best red carpet moments|work=The Telegraph|date=September 20, 2016|access-date=September 29, 2017|language=en-GB|url-status=dead}} The dress's minimalism and classic aesthetic has consistently been referred to as a defining moment for Jolie's style.{{cite web |last1=Lenker |first1=Maureen Lee |title=Sydney Sweeney dons Angelina Jolie's Oscars dress 20 years later: 'An honor to wear a piece of history' |url=https://ew.com/sydney-sweeney-dons-angelina-jolie-oscars-dress-20-years-later-8607712 |website=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=January 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312013650/https://ew.com/sydney-sweeney-dons-angelina-jolie-oscars-dress-20-years-later-8607712 |archive-date=March 12, 2024 |date=March 11, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Cusumano |first1=Katherine |title=Angelina Jolie Is the True Master of the Sleek and Chic Red Carpet Look |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/angelina-jolie-best-red-carpet-style-photos |website=W Magazine |access-date=January 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213215842/https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/angelina-jolie-best-red-carpet-style-photos |archive-date=December 13, 2024 |date=June 3, 2024 |url-status=live}} It has been described in subsequent years by fashion and celebrity publications as a memorable and stylish selection that was reminiscent of classical Hollywood style.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thespec.com/living-story/2146688-oscars-dresses-that-changed-the-red-carpet/|title=Oscars: Dresses that changed the red carpet|date=February 21, 2013|work=The Hamilton Spectator|access-date=September 29, 2017|issn=1189-9417}}
Since its debut, the dress has been placed on several lists of best Oscars or red carpet fashion. Cosmopolitan magazine picked the dress in 2011 as one of the best Oscar dresses of all time, saying, "Angie's one of very few people who can rock this material and this color — both being mercilessly unforgiving. But the dress drapes on her curves and shows off her assets in all the right ways."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.cosmopolitan.com/celebrity/red-carpet-dresses/best-and-worst-oscar-style|title=Oscars Best and Worst Dressed|magazine=Cosmopolitan|accessdate=May 24, 2011|archive-date=June 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602140036/http://www.cosmopolitan.com/celebrity/red-carpet-dresses/best-and-worst-oscar-style|url-status=live}} Fashion journalist André Leon Talley put it on his list of the 25 best Oscars dresses, published 2012.{{Cite web |last=Talley |first=André Leon |author-link=André Leon Talley |date=February 24, 2012 |title=André Leon Talley on the Best Oscar Dresses of All Time |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/andre-leon-talley-on-the-best-oscars-dresses-of-all-time |access-date=October 12, 2023 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}} In 2019, Harper's Bazaar named it one of the 100 best red-carpet dresses.{{Cite magazine|last1=King|first1=Joyann|last2=Rutherford|first2=Chrissy|date=January 22, 2019|title=The Best Red Carpet Gowns of All Time|url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/red-carpet-dresses/100-most-iconic-red-carpet-dresses|access-date=January 27, 2022|magazine=Harper's BAZAAR|language=en-US}} That same year, the dress was one of 25 famous red carpet dresses used in a photo shoot celebrating the 25th anniversary of InStyle magazine.{{Cite web |last=Foley |first=Bridget |date=August 7, 2018 |title=Bridget Foley's Diary: InStyle Marks a Milestone |url=https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/bridget-foleys-diary-instyle-marks-a-milestone-1203234085/ |access-date=August 31, 2019 |website=WWD |language=en |archive-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831154401/https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/bridget-foleys-diary-instyle-marks-a-milestone-1203234085/ |url-status=live }} In 2023, Christian Allaire of Vogue selected it as one of the 55 best Oscars dresses; Vogue contributor Christina Liao was quoted calling the dress Jolie's "best look of all time".{{Cite web |last=Allaire |first=Christian |date=March 6, 2023 |title=The 55 Best Oscars Red Carpet Dresses of All Time |url=https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/vogue-editors-favorite-oscar-dresses-photos |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=Vogue |language=en-US |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328185508/https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/vogue-editors-favorite-oscar-dresses-photos |url-status=live }} Vogue further described the dress as "proof that the best looks are the ones that make a subtle and timeless statement".{{cite web |last1=Allaire |first1=Christian |title=Angelina Jolie Makes the Case for a Signature Red Carpet Dress |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/angelina-jolie-maria-premiere-signature-red-carpet-dress |website=Vogue |access-date=December 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241031024804/https://www.vogue.com/article/angelina-jolie-maria-premiere-signature-red-carpet-dress |archive-date=October 31, 2024 |date=October 27, 2024 |url-status=live}} Vogue Australia listed the dress in their list for the "100 best Oscar dresses of all time".{{cite web |title=The 100 best Oscar dresses of all time |url=https://www.vogue.com.au/culture/red-carpet/the-100-best-oscar-dresses-of-all-time/image-gallery/bd550c010cabda275fc98a75fc4c3203 |website=Vogue Australia |access-date=December 29, 2024 |date=March 8, 2024}}
In 2024, Sydney Sweeney wore the dress for the Vanity Fair Oscar party following the 96th Academy Awards, over 20 years after Jolie wore it.{{cite web|title=Sydney Sweeney Raided Angelina Jolie's Closet for the Oscars AfterParty|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/sydney-sweeney-angelina-jolie-vontage-marc-bouwer-dress-2024-oscars-after-party|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311165848/https://www.vogue.com/article/sydney-sweeney-angelina-jolie-vontage-marc-bouwer-dress-2024-oscars-after-party|archive-date=March 11, 2024|work=Vogue|first=Hannah|last=Jackson|date=March 11, 2024|access-date=March 11, 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Julia |title=Sydney Sweeney Wears Angelina Jolie's 2004 Oscar Dress to 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars Party |url=https://people.com/oscars-2024-sydney-sweeney-wears-angelina-jolies-2004-dress-vanity-fair-party-8607183 |website=People |access-date=January 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410000159/https://people.com/oscars-2024-sydney-sweeney-wears-angelina-jolies-2004-dress-vanity-fair-party-8607183 |archive-date=April 10, 2024 |date=March 11, 2024 |url-status=live}}
See also
- Black Versace dress of Angelina Jolie, which she wore to the 2012 Oscars
- List of individual dresses
References
{{reflist}}
{{red carpet fashion}}
{{Angelina Jolie}}