Oscar-Winning Costumes

Breathtaking Creations Throughout the Years

We'll be rooting on Inherent Vice at this year's Oscar ceremony to win Best Costume Design. To celebrate costume design throughout the years, here’s a look at the illustrious history of this category from the Warner Bros. Film Library. From the sumptuous silks and brocades of Amadeus to the bikinis and linens of Night of the Iguana, we invite you to feast your eyes on these Best Costume Design winners through the years!

This Year's Nominee

Inherent Vice

Capturing the spirit of hippie culture in Los Angeles, 1970, costume designer Mark Bridges has nabbed his second Oscar nomination.

 

Past Winners

Adventures of Don Juan (1949)

No detail overlooked, Viveca Lindfors as Queen Margaret and Errol Flynn as Don Juan wait while a crew member makes last-minute costume adjustments.

An American in Paris (1951)

Behind-the-scenes with Leslie Caron (not in costume) who plays Lise Bouvier, as she admires the costume sketches done by designer Orry-Kelly.

Gigi (1958)

Wardrobe sketch by production and costume designer Cecil Beaton for Leslie Caron as Gigi.

Ben-Hur (1959)

Fraser Clarke Heston (yes, son of Charlton) during a fitting for his gladiator costume. He played young Moses. A rather intimidating one at that, in his baby booties.

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

As a broken-down, aging and forgotten starlet, Bette Davis gave life to the character Jane Hudson. Norma Koch was the mastermind behind the costume design that helped give the character such an unforgettable sadness and cruelty.

Night of the Iguana (1964)

Cyril Delevanti and Deborah Kerr sweating it out genteelly in the tropics.

Doctor Zhivago (1965)

1965 publicty shot of a few of the award-winning costumes from Doctor Zhivago, that made it through the brutal weather conditions of filming.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966)

Looking beautifully of-the-time, Elizabeth Taylor as Martha.

Camelot (1967)

John Truscott, who won the Oscar for Best Costume Design, meticulously, cares for the couture costumes of Camelot.

Travels with My Aunt (1972)

The forever-sassy Maggie Smith as the title character, Aunt Augusta Bertram.

Barry Lyndon (1975)

Any fan of costume dramas knows that Barry Lyndon is a must-see. The elaborate gowns and rich fabrics and period details helped make this Kubrick film a classic.

Chariots of Fire (1981)

In their skimmer hats, blazers and striped ties, Milena Canonero created an Olympic uniform for the boys of Chariots of Fire.

Amadeus (1984)

Christine Ebersole as Katerina Cavaleri, in a 17th century-style wig and hat with F. Murray Abraham as Antonio Salieri. The heralded film was a feast for the senses.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

The film won 11 Acadmey Awards in 2003, with its beautifully robed elves and kings, it's no surprise that Best Costume Design was among the honors.

The Aviator (2004)

An all-star cast (pictured here are Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes, Adam Scott as Johnny Meyer, Jude Law as Errol Flynn, and Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn) meant all the more opportunity for all-star costume design.

The Great Gatsby (2013)

Catherine Martin took home the Oscar for her work on The Great Gatsby. The film also inspired collections with Prada and Brooks Brothers.

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