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    1. Style

    Best BAFTA Dresses of All Time

    The BAFTAs are one of our favourite events from awards season, and who can blame us? Tons of the hottest Hollywood stars descending on London for a night of glamour. See all our favourite dresses from The BAFTAs over the years...

    By Marie Claire
    Published 9 February 2010 In Buying Guides

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    Elle Macpherson: Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    Elle Macpherson: Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)
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    The BAFTAs are one of our favourite events from awards season, and who can blame us? Tons of the hottest Hollywood stars descending on London for a night of glamour. See all our favourite dresses from The BAFTAs over the years...

    The BAFTAs are one of the biggest annual events from the film and television industries and celebrates some of the hottest screen talent from around the world.

    It's also one of our favourite places to spot incredible designer gowns as the A-list pose on the red carpet - with everything from head-to-toe sequins and sheer ballgowns sported over the years.

    We're looking back at the best ever BAFTA dresses, with everything from last year's colour pop parade, to pretty pastels and soft champagne palettes.

    Best BAFTA Dresses of All TIme

    So go on, check out the top frocks ahead of this year's huge BAFTA bash...

    Best BAFTA Dresses of All TIme

    Best BAFTA Dresses of All TIme

    Elle Macpherson: Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    So go on, check out the top frocks ahead of this year's huge BAFTA bash...

    Julia Roberts

    Julia Roberts

    Julia Roberts: Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    There's something about this Julia Roberts dress that's really caught our fashion eye. Not instantly the most scene-stealing design to grace the red carpet, it's the understated elegance that really sells it. Not many can pull of top-to-toe burgundy, but Julia does so with aplomb. (1998)

    Cate Blanchett

    Cate Blanchett

    Cate Blanchett: Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    You can always rely on Cate Blanchett to work some fashion magic on the red carpet, and her 2000 BAFTA appearance was no exception. Eschewing the trend for floor-skimming gowns, the perennial style maverick took a risk with an ankle-grazing sequin-tastic gown, which definitely paid off. (2000)

    Nicole Kidman

    Nicole Kidman

    Nicole Kidman : Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Bringing a dose of old school Hollywood glamour to the 2003 red carpet was Nicole Kidman. An advert for the mantra that simple style is often the best, the A-list glamazon wowed in a chic satin Ungaro column dress, accessorised with glimmering rose jewel chandelier earrings  and an elegant chignon. (2003)

    Rachel Weisz

    Rachel Weisz

    Rachel Weisz: Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    The lace-overlay on Rachel Weisz's black gown transforms it from your typical LBD to something so much more stunning. A true BAFTA beauty. (2003)

    Alicia Silverstone

    Alicia Silverstone

    Alicia Silverstone: Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Va va voom! Alicia Silverstone played BAFTA's scarlet lady at the 2004 awards, and scored a red hot fashion hit to boot. (2004)

    Cate Blanchett

    Cate Blanchett

    Cate Blanchett: Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Glittering and glamorous, Cate Blanchett eptomised Hollywood elegance when she hit the BAFTAs in this shimmering Armani column dress. Red carpet dressing at its very best. (2005)

    Sienna Miller

    Sienna Miller

    Sienna Miller : Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Mischa Barton

    Mischa Barton

    Mischa Barton: Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Few can pull off the tricky drop-waist silhouette, but a lithe Mischa Barton gets the look spot on. She wisely let her intricate Christian Dior gown take centre stage, adding minimal accessories, save for some cluster diamond earrings and a chic side-swept chignon. (2005)

    Renee Zellweger

    Renee Zellweger

    Renee Zellweger: Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    If you want to know why fashion commentators can muse and muse on the power of the perfect black dress, then just look to Renee Zellweger and her 2006 Carolina Herrera BAFTA dress. There's nothing out-of-the-ordinary about this floor-skimming frock, but for sheer elegance it wins hands down in the style stakes. (2006)

    Michelle Williams

    Michelle Williams

    Michelle Williams: Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Fresh from the success fo Brokeback Mountain, Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams hit the BAFTA red carpet as Hollywood's hottest new couple back in 2006. Proving a fashion force to be reckoned with, Ms Williams wowed in a beautiful tiered black gown, which looked utterly modern when teamed with a pretty side-swept updo. The image may now be tinged with sadness, following Ledger's tragic death, but it captures a moment that's gone down in Tinsel Town history. (2006)

    Charlize Theron

    Charlize Theron

    Charlize Theron: Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Showing that there's no truth in the dated fashion rule that blue and black should never be matched, Charlize Theron partnered the shades at the 2006 BAFTAs to stunning effect. (2006)

    Mischa Barton

    Mischa Barton

    Mischa Barton: Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    A fresh-faced Mischa Barton oozed romance at the 2006 BAFTAs with her uber-femiine blush gown. From the corsge detailing, to the elegant draped silhouette, you can't help but be utterly seduced. (2006)

    Penelope Cruz

    Penelope Cruz

    Penelope Cruz: Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    The queen of the dramatic gown, Penelope Cruz always succeeds in taking a seriously high-octane dress and making it her own. The Hollywood beauty oozed movie star glamour in a stunning Oscar de la Renta beaded floor-skimming gown. (2007)

    Naomie Harris

    Naomie Harris

    Naomi Harris: Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Check out that movement! Naomie Harris' blush pink gown could make it into this best dressed round-up for its swirling twirl factor alone, but wins points too for the romantic rose hue, elegant draping and stunning silhouette. (2007)

    Sienna Miller: Best Dresses of the Decade

    Sienna Miller: Best Dresses of the Decade

    Sienna Miller: Best Dresses of the Decade
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Keira Knightley

    Keira Knightley

    Keira Knightley: Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    She might have lost out in the Best Actress category to French star Marion Cotillard, but Keira Knightley was definitely the winner in the style stakes in this stunning, tiered Valentino gown with silver sequin detailing. (2008)

    Jessica Biel

    Jessica Biel

    Jessica Biel: Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Exuding classic elegance, Jessica Biel showed off her enviable curves at the 2008 BAFTAs in a figure-forming black strapless Dior gown. She lightened the look with her then new white-blonde hairdo. (2008)

    Emily Blunt - The Orange British Academy Film Awards - Gallery

    Emily Blunt - The Orange British Academy Film Awards - Gallery

    Marie Claire celebrity photos: The Orange British Academy Film Awards, Emily Blunt

    Doing the Brits proud, Emily Blunt gave a scene stealing turn at the 2008 BAFTA's in a fabulous one-shouldered dazzling dress by Mark Bower. (2008)

    Kate Hudson

    Kate Hudson

    Kate Hudson: Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Kate Hudson really was the golden girl of the 2008 bash in her dazzling Dior gown, which shimmied and sparkled from every single angle. (2008)

    Sienna Miller

    Sienna Miller

    Sienna Miller : Best Dressed Bafta Awards stars
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Kate Winslet

    Kate Winslet

    Kate Winslet style highs and lows
    (Image credit: PA Photos)

    Kate Winslet was undeniably the 2009 BAFTA belle of the ball in a figure-hugging black dress by Zac Posen. Elegant and undeniably alluring - she stole the show, nabbing the best actress award too. (2009)

    Angelina Jolie

    Angelina Jolie

    Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - 8 Feb 2009 - Baftas - Style Spy
    (Image credit: PA Photos)

    Fashion-forward, unique and totally unexpected, we were blown away by Angelina Jolie's Armani Prive spring 2009 dress, with its neon yellow lining and clever fold details. She also thought outside the box with her accessories, which included colour-contrasting, royal-blue stud earrings and a funky snake bracelet. And her beau, Brad? Divine - as usual! (2009)

    Freida Pinto

    Freida Pinto

    Freida Pinto - 8 Feb 2009 - Baftas - Style Spy
    (Image credit: PA Photos)

    Freida Pinto looked heavenly in a baby pink, strapless tiered gown by Oscar de la Renta Resort dress at the 2009 Baftas. She cleverly accessorised the pretty-pretty dress with an edgier, vintage statement necklace, injecting individuality into the ensemble. The perfect walking advertisement for Slumdog Millionaire, which swept the boards at the ceremony. (2009)

    Kristen Stewart

    Kristen Stewart

    Kristen-Stewart, The BAFTA's 2010, Celebrity Photos, 21 February 2010
    (Image credit: PA Photos)

    Carey Mulligan

    Carey Mulligan

    BAFTA best dressed
    (Image credit: PA)

    While some actresses may find this Vionnet dress? floral print ageing, Carey Mulligan managed to pull it off with aplomb. The off the shoulder neckline and asymmetric hem showed a little flesh that added a flirtatious finish to a more formal look. (2010)

    Kate Winslet

    Kate Winslet

    BAFTA best dressed
    (Image credit: PA)

    Kate Winslet fired the styling big guns at the BAFTAs in 2010! The sheer lace panels and thigh-high split on her Stella McCartney dress added just the right dose of allure but kept things appropriate. (2010)

    Claire Danes

    Claire Danes

    BAFTA best dressed
    (Image credit: PA)

    Claire Danes was a red-carpet hit in this Burberry gown at the BAFTAs. The draped detail and metallic fabric were the perfect partners to creating a beautiful look. And the final slick of red lipstick was a very wise make-up move too. (2010)

    Gemma Arterton

    Gemma Arterton

    BAFTA best dressed
    (Image credit: PA)

    Sometimes keeping it simple can be the secret to style success as Gemma Arterton proved in 2011. She made a simple black Yves Saint Laurent column dress go ?boom? with an oversized blue bow. It?s not a look we?d try on ourselves but it certainly worked on the red carpet. (2011)

    Meryl Streep

    Meryl Streep

    BAFTA best dressed
    (Image credit: PA)

    Style is ageless as Meryl Streep showed once again as she walked the BAFTA red rug in 2012. Clad in this elegant Vivienne Westwood dress she added a playful edge with her matching jacket with statement sleeves. Black is anything but boring when worn this way. (2012)

    Emilia Fox

    Emilia Fox

    BAFTA best dressed
    (Image credit: PA)

    It was Emilia Fox?s shock of red hair that ensured all eyes were on her but we couldn?t avert our eyes from her Luisa Beccaria frock. The vintage look and tiered skirt deserve an award all of their own! (2012)

    Gillian Anderson

    Gillian Anderson

    BAFTA best dressed
    (Image credit: PA)

    Elegance was personified as Gillian Anderson walked the red carpet in her pale gold Sybil Connolly gown. The simple structure was balanced out beautifully by a textured fabric but had just he right does of glamour with a sweetheart neckline and glittering jewels. Bravo Gillian! (2012)

    Christina Ricci

    Christina Ricci

    BAFTA best dressed
    (Image credit: PA)

    This golden Givenchy dress surely makes Christina Ricci a contender for the best-dressed star ever to grace the BAFTAs! The central split, short sleeves and collared neckline were simple elements that served only to enhance what is already a stunning design. (2012)

    Marion Cotillard

    Marion Cotillard

    Marion Cotillard At The BAFTAs, 2013

    Marion Cotillard nailed it in 2013 in an eye-catching design by Christian Dior. We love the bright yellow hue and simple shape, ensureing Marion caught our attention without looking OTT. (2013)

    Jessica Chastain

    Jessica Chastain

    Jessica Chastain At The BAFTAs, 2013

    Jessica Chastain perfectly complimented her pale complexion and red hair with this deep blue gown by Roland Mouret. We love the origami detail to the top of the dress, creating an elegant strapless detail. (2013)

    Naomie Harris at The EE British Academy Film Awards, 2014

    Naomie Harris at The EE British Academy Film Awards, 2014

    Naomie Harris at The EE British Academy Film Awards, 2014

    Naomi Harris is no stranger to a striking red carpet dress, and this Gucci look is no different. Top marks for the waist-defining black band and matching accessories.

    Lupita Nyong'o at The EE British Academy Film Awards, 2014

    Lupita Nyong'o at The EE British Academy Film Awards, 2014

    Lupita Nyong'o at The EE British Academy Film Awards, 2014

    Lupita Nyong'o stole the show in this emerald Christian Dior gown. We love how Lupita takes on colour, totally nailing red carpet glamour and showing off that enviable bod in the process.

    Maggie Gyllenhaal at The EE British Academy Film Awards, 2014

    Maggie Gyllenhaal at The EE British Academy Film Awards, 2014

    Maggie Gyllenhaal at The EE British Academy Film Awards, 2014

    Maggie Gyllenhaal knows exactly what style works for her on the red carpet, and quite rightly, sticks with it. And so she should for this Lanvin gown is all kinds of wonderful and proves the navy is anything but boring.

    Laura Bailey at The EE British Academy Film Awards, 2014

    Laura Bailey at The EE British Academy Film Awards, 2014

    Laura Bailey at The EE British Academy Film Awards, 2014

    British Fashion Council ambassador and all round style maven, Laura Bailey went classic for her red carpet moment, opting for this chic black bandeau gown, completing her look with a beautiful diamond necklace and elegant updo.

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