Extra damming opinions have been stored for the yr’s supreme supporting actress, Jennifer Connelly, who opted for a dishwater-colored tulle robe and not-quite-matching shawl (a color described via Smith as “faded dung-colored,” and via Scripps Howard information company as “phlegm-colored”). In other places, Cameron Diaz divided evaluations in a floral print get dressed, ’80s Oscar-nominee Sally Kirkland sported an ill-advised bejeweled bindi and Religion Hill took a painfully literal method via teasing her efficiency of “Someplace Over the Rainbow” with a strappy rainbow-colored Versace robe.
Variously described as “faded dung-colored” and “phlegm-colored,” Jennifer Connelly’s robe used to be probably the most evening’s many flops. Credit score: Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Photographs
The evening will, alternatively, all the time be remembered for probably the most maligned outfits in Oscars historical past: Gwyneth Paltrow’s notorious “goth” get dressed (pictured best). The formless Alexander McQueen advent featured a scrunched-up taffeta skirt and sheer bodice that left little to the creativeness. The actress’ heavy eye make-up and milkmaid braid helped protected the outfit’s position on “worst-dressed” lists for years yet to come.
There used to be, arguably, worse to come back. On the Vainness Honest afterparty, “Meet Joe Black” big name Claire Forlani wore what can best be described as a sequined breastplate held up via perilously skinny string ties; Selma Blair arrived in a barely-there fringe get dressed that regarded extra like a shabby tablecloth and Heather Generators opted for a extraordinary midriff-bearing two-piece. Actress and creator Suzanne Somers’ get dressed would possibly simply have doubled up as reasonable curtains, and TV host Daisy Fuentes confirmed up in denims and a shirt, as though she had forgotten it used to be one among Hollywood’s maximum unique events.
The afterparty noticed much more vintage Y2K taste, like Claire Forlani’s open-backed crop best. Credit score: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage/Getty Photographs
Maximum dull ‘of all time’
This used to be no excuse for Menkes, alternatively. Calling attendees’ efforts “probably the most dull Oscar outfits of all time,” the critic singled out Naomi Watts’ unadventurous corseted get dressed from a “sea of black,” writing that “even Gucci, normally a lifeless cert for horny garments” had made the big name glance “sedate.”
Naomi Watts used to be one among a number of stars choosing low-risk black robes. Credit score: KMazur/WireImage/Getty Photographs
“There changed into a realization that the ones clothes have been going to outline you. And I believe it had extra to do with the upward push of favor as a pop-culture power — and a real-time power — and understanding that folks have been sat at house judging those outfits.
“There used to be no E! and no pre-show till then, and I believe that possible choices have been almost definitely more secure as a result of now not realizing how one can navigate that.”
As for the riskier seems, Critchell theorized that many celebrities have been “enjoying towards sort” via providing one thing surprising or other from earlier outings. Nicole Kidman’s frilly crimson Chanel robe contrasted with the sublime chartreuse Dior get dressed she famously wore to 1997’s rite, whilst Jennifer Lopez’s vintage robe and bouffant coiffure used to be juxtaposed towards the raunchier seems she’d transform identified for.
Sally Kirkland sports activities a bejewled bindi as a part of her gold-and-silver glance. Credit score: David Lefranc/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Photographs
Even Paltrow’s outfit can also be noticed as an try to keep away from being pigeonholed, Critchell stated. “She have been the princess a couple of years ahead of (in 1999) in that crimson Ralph Lauren get dressed, and I believe she used to be enjoying towards that,” she added.
“Celebrities did not have a possibility to turn their different aspects in the way in which they do now. You realize them, you what their taste is, you recognize their opinion on the whole lot. But it surely wasn’t unusual in 2002, or any of the ones different (pre-social media) years, for any individual to play towards what they did ahead of, as a result of they did not wish to be stereotyped.”
Rays of hope
One of the most evening’s few winners: Halle Berry in Elie Saab. Credit score: Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Photographs
There used to be actually just one winner, even though — on each the pink carpet and the awards degree. On her option to turning into the primary Black girl to assert the Academy Award for supreme actress, Halle Berry surprised in robe that remodeled the fortunes of its dressmaker, Elie Saab. Like Paltrow’s outfit, it consisted of sheer best and taffeta skirt, even though Berry oozed glamour in purple and poo, with strategically positioned floral detailing finishing the glance.
“I believe Halle Berry’s outfit has stood the check of time,” Critchell stated. “It is not a get dressed any individual would put on lately, however she used to be the belle of the ball. She used to be predicted to win and, as trend writers, we have been all looking forward to her flip. It fulfilled the instant; it used to be memorable, and it used to be proper for a supreme actress.”
But, whilst the outfit is now regarded as a few of the Oscars’ best-ever seems, it wasn’t a success with everybody at the evening. The Father or mother’s Cartner-Morley wrote that Berry’s outfit, whole with its “gaudy embroidered internet bodice,” had presented “masses to flinch about.”
Similar video: A temporary historical past of the pink carpet
Her contrarian take serves as a reminder that excellent pink carpet taste is within the eye of the beholder — and thus the query of whether or not 2002 used to be the Oscars’ worst yr relies, as ever, on who you ask. Certainly, given the present hobby in all issues Y2K — a revival that has heralded the go back of low-rise denims, crop tops and butterfly clips — the ability of hindsight (and the evaluations of Gen-Z fashion-watchers) is also kinder to 2002’s time out than one would possibly be expecting.
“I do not believe it used to be the worst-dressed,” Critchell stated. “I do not know if there would ever be a second it’s good to outline as that. But it surely used to be a distinct time.”
