Image this: It’s the 1999 Oscars, and Céline Dion is inflicting a stir on the purple carpet. Performing through the ceremony later that evening, the French-Canadian singer hit the step and repeat forward of the ceremony in a white John Galliano tuxedo that landed her on many worldwide worst-dressed lists. Why? As a result of she seemingly wore the swimsuit backwards—to not point out she rebuked the normal glitzy robes that many different stars wore to the Academy Awards. “After I wore that, everybody was carrying attire, not pants,” Dion informed Folks of the now-infamous look. “I used to be the one one with pants in a backward swimsuit from Galliano, and if I’d do that at the moment, it might work. It was avant-garde on the time.”

Greater than twenty years later, Dion’s dangerous Oscars ensemble nonetheless stays a favourite. Dion was merely forward of her time! It so occurs that backwards seems to be—the place the fronts and backs of a garment are intentionally switched up—are actually a trending runway silhouette. Labels comparable to Maison Margiela, Burberry, The Row, and Victoria Beckham have all dabbled in surrealism, turning garments back-to-front. There’s one thing curiously jarring in regards to the play on form—it makes a traditional piece, like a trench or denim skirt, look each acquainted but unusual. Isn’t that what nice trend is meant to do? Make you do a double take?

Right this moment, purple carpet fashion has definitely loosened up, and A-listers comparable to Ayo Edebiri and Kristen Stewart are actually usually rocking blazers and trousers on the step and repeat. However Dion will get props for doing it throughout an period when this was definitely not the norm. And even higher but, she absolutely dedicated to the bit—accessorizing her slouchy swimsuit with just a little white fedora. Her playful and fearless method to dressing was completely refreshing. In 2024, purple carpet seems to be are all strategically deliberate, as stars rent stylists and ink numerous model offers. However Dion’s surprising ensemble displays a time in Hollywood the place dressing up was completely natural and, at occasions, even unhinged. We’d like extra of that power on the Oscars this coming weekend.