Fashion

The 11 Best Armani Gowns to Hit the Red Carpet Over the Last 10 Years

Listen, I love new and emerging designers (including these up-and-coming plus-size brands) just as much as the next fashion fanatic. But that does absolutely nothing to detract from the admiration I have for some of the most respected names in the fashion game — designers who have been around for decades and seem to only get better as the years go by. And if there's anyone who fits this description to a tee, it's the amazing Giorgio Armani. The Italian designer has been one of the biggest names in fashion for nearly 40 years, creating unbelievable ensembles for red-carpet greats like Michelle Pfeiffer, Nicole Kidman, and the beautiful Cate Blanchett. So, to celebrate the style icon's 80th birthday, let's take a look back at 11 of his best gowns to hit the red carpet over the last decade alone.

by Mary Avant

Julia Roberts at the 2004 Oscars

From the champagne hue and slinky satin fabric to the plunging neckline and waist-cinching details, Roberts looked stunning in her simple Giorgio Armani gown at the annual awards show.

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Charlize Theron at the 2006 Screen Actors Guild Awards

Proof that this Armani Privé gown is totally timeless: Take away her too-bronzed cheeks and you’d think the actress was walking down the red carpet in this sexy black gown just yesterday.

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Beyonce at the 2007 Oscars

Queen Bey wears nothing but the best, and that most definitely includes this beautifully beaded and draped Armani Privé gown.

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Katie Holmes at the 2008 Met Gala

While I’m no fan of the styling, blunt bob, or tanned-to-a-crisp vibe, you can’t deny that Holmes looks lovely in this voluminous, red-hot Giorgio Armani number (and certainly much better than she did in her Beauty and the Beast gown at this year’s event).

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Cate Blanchett at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival

The Oscar winner is one of Armani’s biggest fans, and all it takes is one glance at this cascading-ruffle Armani Privé number to know exactly why.

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Lady Gaga at the 2010 Grammy Awards

It may be out there, but this Armani Privé creation is also one of the designer’s most memorable and artistic of all time.

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Zoe Saldana at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival

Not only was this striped Armani Privé gown one of the best dresses to ever hit the Cannes Film Festival red carpet, but it also remains one of my favorite red carpet gowns of all time.

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Penelope Cruz at a 'Pirates of the Caribbean' Premiere in Munich

What’s not to love about the luminous effect (oh, and the smoking-hot fit) of this Armani Privé number?

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Rihanna at the 2012 Grammy Awards

The ultra-deep V and slinky fit take this minimalist Giorgio Armani number to a new and seductive level.

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Naomi Watts at the 2013 Oscars

With its unique silhouette and stunning silver sheen, the star’s Armani Privé ensemble was easily one of the best of the evening.

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Cate Blanchett at the 2014 Oscars

If I were going to accept an Oscar in any gown, you better believe it’d be this haute couture work of art. Good pick, Blanchett.

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