From ‘90s numbers that still find their way onto mood boards to the polished modern-day glamor she’s become a poster girl for, here’s a look back at Nicole Kidman’s standout red carpet moments.

The A-list actress has serious staying power.

As a leading lady and a Hollywood-style icon, Nicole Kidman has plenty of range. The Australian star has been in the game for a staggering four decades, and thanks to her innate fashion sense and collaborations with leading stylists, she rarely puts a foot wrong on the red carpet. 

The 56-year-old’s widespread recognition in the style stakes has gained even more momentum in recent years thanks to her longtime partnership with stylist and InStyle alum Julia Von Boehm. Their collaboration cemented Kidman as a polished stalwart of red carpet fashion, reliably turned out immaculately in labels including Armani Privé, Gucci, Versace, and Prada. It’s no wonder that Kidman has been quoted as saying, “You don’t have to be naked to be sexy.”

For her most recent moment in the spotlight, the Big Little Lies actress aced the assignment for this year’s Garden of Time-themed Met Gala dress code. In a look that was seen around the world, Kidman, who was named a global brand ambassador for Balenciaga back in December, turned to the label’s mononymous creative director, Demna, to ensure all eyes were on her. Together, along with stylist Jason Bolden, they came across a Richard Avedon-lensed image of a Balenciaga gown from the Spring Summer 1951 collection that they sought to recreate for today. 

But the strawberry-blond-haired thesp’s fashion icon status dates all the way back to the 1990s. In what’s been called a landmark moment for celebrity fashion coverage, Kidman made a daring move when she wore an unforgettable chartreuse-hued silk gown designed by John Galliano for Dior—considered the first-ever couture dress to grace the red carpet.

All these years later, she still knows how to get everyone talking. Kidman once told InStyle as part of her cover story in 2017, “There are dreams attached to fashion. When it’s presented in a way where you go [gasp], it just makes you feel good. It allows me to express what I’m feeling, as in, I want to wear that because that’s actually my rebellion right now. Or that’s my way of fitting in. Or it’s my way of saying no. Or it’s my way of saying I’m different.”

From ‘90s numbers that still find their way onto mood boards to the polished modern-day glamor she’s become a poster girl for, here’s a look back at Nicole Kidman’s standout red carpet moments.

Nicole Kidman in Balenciaga at the Met Gala in 2024

Using an image of Dorian Leigh posing for Richard Avedon as inspiration, Kidman and the house of Balenciaga worked tirelessly to recreate her look for this year’s Met Gala. The resulting gown took over 1,200 hours to complete, with a fully, fluffy skirt comprised of over 3,000 hand-pleated petals. Talk about museum-worthy!

Nicole Kidman in Balenciaga for the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award in 2024

Kidman’s recent appearance at the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award Gala, where she was being honored with the main accolade of the night, also made for another significant milestone: it was the first time Kidman and her husband Keith Urban had been joined on the red carpet by their daughters Sunday-Rose, 15, and Faith, 13. For the significant evening, Kidman was styled flawlessly in a custom Balenciaga gold sequin gown and train by Jason Bolden.

Nicole Kidman in Chanel at the Met Gala in 2023

Eagle-eyed pop culture history buffs let out an audible gasp when Kidman attended the 2023 Met Gala. Paying tribute to Karl Lagerfeld, whose work was being honored by the Costume Institute, the star and evening’s co-chair dusted down the famous feathered frock she once wore in the iconic Chanel No 5 fragrance ad in 2004. 

Nicole Kidman in Etro at the Australian premiere of Being The Ricardos in 2022

One thing Kidman is going to do is keep audiences on their toes. When promoting her Lucille Ball biopic in her native Australia, Kidman graced the red carpet in a festive sequined t-shirt dress by Etro and diamanté t-bar stilettos. 

Nicole Kidman in Rodarte at The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Opening Gala in 2021

The only thing that could upstage Kidman’s gorgeous natural curls? Leave it to this heart achingly beautiful embellished gown by sister duo Laura and Kate Mulleavy of Rodarte. 

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Nicole Kidman in Atelier Versace at the Golden Globes in 2020

While she never misses the mark no matter what shade she’s in, Kidman routinely knocks it out of the park when wearing red. Need proof? This Atelier Versace fire engine red dress, which took center stage while being complimented by glistening gold accessories and sultry lace-up stilettos. 

Nicole Kidman in Armani Privé at the Critic’s Choice Awards in 2019

As far as red carpet matches made in heaven go, Kidman and Armani Privé are up there with the best of them. Case in point: this sculptural black-and-white number at the Critics Choice Awards, which unanimously topped best dressed lists written by fashion critics far and wide. 

Nicole Kidman in Armani Privé at the Destroyer premiere during the London Film Festival in 2018

It sure wasn’t the first time Kidman had worn a tux on the red carpet, but it’s etched into our minds forever. At the London Film Festival premiere of Destroyer, she was suited and booted in a power look from Armani Privé, made even more eye-catching thanks to a hot pink shirt and skinny black tie. 

Nicole Kidman in Calvin Klein by Appointment at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017

For one of their earliest collaborations, Kidman and super stylist Julia Von Boehm turned to Raf Simons to create a memorable gown for the Cannes premiere of The Killing of a Sacred Deer. The resulting double-faced silk duchess satin bustier and hand-cut tulle skirt took a staggering 150 hours to execute and remains one of Kidman’s most timeless red carpet outings.  

Nicole Kidman in Gucci at the SAG Awards in 2017

In what’s undoubtedly one of her most talked-about red carpet appearances ever, Kidman opted for a joyfully maximalist emerald green Gucci gown with twin parakeets and a plunging neckline, which certainly livened up the more typically subdued SAG Awards red carpet. 

Nicole Kidman in Louis Vuitton at the UNICEF Ball in 2016

For the 6th Biennial UNICEF Ball in Beverly Hills, which she co-hosted, Kidman turned to event sponsor Louis Vuitton and designer Nicholas Ghesquière to custom create her a statement sequin gown with a low-cut neckline and high-leg slit, which she teamed with show-stopping jewels and simple strappy sandals.  

Nicole Kidman in Roberto Cavalli at the CMA Awards in 2014

Proving she can turn her hand to any fashion genre with aplomb, Kidman leaned into her bohemian and romantic side in this scene-stealing high-neck and long-sleeved white lace gown by Roberto Cavalli at the Country Music Association Awards. 

Nicole Kidman in Dior at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013

For the premiere of The Great Gatsby during the Cannes Film Festival, Kidman was a ladylike vision in a tea-length floral embroidered gown from Dior’s Spring 2013 Couture collection, which she paired with coral-hued Dior pumps and a chic high ponytail to show off the strapless gown’s elegant neckline and bodice.  

Nicole Kidman in Jean Paul Gaultier at the Country Music Awards in 2011

Proving that she’s truly the master of the column gown silhouette, Kidman played her cards right in a standout gunmetal gray sequin dress by Jean Paul Gaultier and a 1930s diamond choker for the annual CMA Awards in Nashville in 2011. 

Nicole Kidman in L’Wren Scott at the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2009

Kidman, who’s fond of a sexy but elegant back-baring moment, brought pizazz to the carpet for the Academy of Country Music Awards in a black sequin gown by L’Wren Scott. It is one of several times Kidman turned to Scott, who tragically died in 2014, for red carpet appearances. 

Nicole Kidman in Balenciaga at the Academy Awards in 2007

In what’s arguably her most famous red carpet appearance of all time, Kidman dazzled in a jaw-dropping red gown with an ornate oversized bow detail that trailed behind her like a regal train, by then-lead designer Nicholas Ghesquière. A true master class in red carpet dressing!

Nicole Kidman in Chanel at the Academy Awards in 2004

In a quintessential Y2K look, Kidman looked ethereal in an icy blue strapless gown with a feathered train and a low back by Chanel for the Oscars in 2004. She accompanied the look with a choker necklace and a satin clutch in a matching shade, complimenting her newly-dyed white blonde tresses.  

Nicole Kidman in Ungaro at the BAFTAs in London in 2003

The year 2003 was a busy one for Kidman on the press and awards ceremony circuit, as she swept the board with wins for her role as Virginia Woolf in The Hours. To accept her BAFTA in London, the actress opted for an ivory silk column gown by Emmanuel Ungaro, accessorizing the look with statement pink earrings and an embellished mini clutch bag. 

Nicole Kidman in Jean Paul Gaultier at the London premiere of Moulin Rouge in 2001

Riding high on the buzz surrounding Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge, Kidman joined the director and her co-stars for the London premiere and after party, wowing waiting crowds at Leicester Square in a fitted black dress by Jean Paul Gaultier. The Gaultier-designed dress featured a show-stopping ornate gold belt, cape sleeves, and a cut-out back—and Kidman would once again turn to the designer a few years later for another memorable black dress, as she wore a JPG gown to accept her first Oscar win in 2003. 

Nicole Kidman at the Mission Impossible: 2 Hollywood premiere in 2000

Supporting her then-husband Tom Cruise at the Mann Chinese Theatre premiere of Mission Impossible: 2, Kidman was radiant in a gold halterneck top and slim-fitting trousers. To this day, the image routinely does the rounds on nostalgia-tinged fashion inspo accounts from the Noughties — and we can see why!

Nicole Kidman in Dior Couture by John Galliano at the Academy Awards in 1997

A star is born! Kidman famously stepped out in a custom version of the ‘Absinthe’ gown from John Galliano’s Spring Summer 1997 Couture collection for Dior. At the time, the dress was the most expensive piece ever worn on the red carpet, setting a game-changing precedent for the industry. Kidman said in 2017 that she still has the dress that Galliano made for her at home, which her daughters will one day inherit.