Countdown to Oscars 2016: 10 most memorable dresses at the Academy Awards

It’s less than a week before the 88th Academy Awards, and the biggest stars are gearing up for the most fashionable event in the movie industry.

In addition to the highly anticipated awards that will be given to honour the best films and actors for the past year, the Oscars is known to bring out the glitz and glamour among celebrities. Fans are excited to see the dresses that will grace the red carpet on Feb. 28 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California.

Last year, Jennifer Lopez was considered to be among the best dressed females at the 87th Academy Awards. Lopez confidently strutted around the red carpet and the stage wearing an embellished blush-coloured gown accentuated by a plunging neckline and full skirt by Elie Saab. The “American Idol” judge completed her fresh yet dramatic look with a sexy high ponytail and pink lipstick.

At the Oscars 2016 on Sunday night, the fans’ fashion radar will be on full mode as they scrutinise each star’s ensemble. Meanwhile, take a look back at some of the greatest and most memorable dresses that were ever paraded at the Oscars red carpet from previous years.

Gwyneth Paltrow, 1999
Besides having Ben Affleck as their ex, Lopez and Gwyneth Paltrow shared the love for colour pink. In 1999, Paltrow hit the red carpet with a pink Ralph Lauren creation. The taffeta gown has gone down as one of the most iconic dresses at the Academy Awards. The actress, who won Best Actress in a Leading Role that year for “Shakespeare in Love,” has kept the gown all these years. She hopes that her daughter will wear it one day. “Maybe she'll wear it to prom and do a Pretty in Pink thing and resew it and cut it up," she said at the opening of her Goop Market pop-up shop, according to Marie Claire.

Julia Roberts, 2001
From one best actress to another, Julia Roberts won the coveted award for her lead role in “Erin Brockovich” in 2001. In terms of fashion, the America’s sweetheart has a lot to live up to, after being most popularly known as “Pretty Woman.” That year, Roberts proved that she can still turn heads in a vintage Valentino black number.

Nicole Kidman, 1997
Stealing the show at the Oscars red carpet back in 1997 was Australian actress Nicole Kidman. The actress, who showed up with her then-husband Tom Cruise, wore a haute couture gown by John Galliano.

Halle Berry, 2002
The 74th Academy Awards proved to be Halle Berry’s time to shine, raising the bar of red carpet fashion with her iconic Elie Saab dress. Beyond being named as one of the most stylish actresses that year, Berry also won the Best Actress trophy at the Academy Awards for her role in Marc Forster's “Monster's Ball.” To date, she is the only African American actress to ever win the coveted recognition.

Lupita Nyong'o, 2014
Fast-forward to 12 years later and another stunning actress made history by being the first Mexican-Kenyan to win in the Academy Awards. Lupita Nyong'o, who bagged the best supporting actress award for “12 Years a Slave” also wowed at the red carpet with a Fred Leighton headband and a sky blue Prada gown. The year 2014 proved to be her year as Nyong’o was also named "The Most Beautiful Woman" by People and "Woman of the Year" by Glamour.

Penelope Cruz, 2007
Speaking of memorable dresses and best supporting actress winners, Penelope Cruz absolutely shined at the red carpet in 2007 when she wore a pale pink feathered Versace dress. Two years later, she became the first Spanish actress to win an Academy Award when she was handed a best supporting Oscar for her role in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.”

Hilary Swank, 2005
The nod of extremely critical fashion critics could sometimes be as coveted as an Oscars award. In 2005, Hilary Swank got both. She took home the trophy for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for “Million Dollar Baby,” and was listed down as one of the best dressed in Academy Award history with her navy blue backless gown by Guy Laroche.

Jennifer Lawrence, 2013
Going down in Oscars history for an iconic dress is one thing, and winning a coveted award is another. Young actress Jennifer Lawrence decided to take it up a notch further by being recognised for both, plus literally going down during the ceremony in 2013. That year was the “Hunger Games” star’s time to shine, earning praises for her strapless Dior Haute Couture dress paired with Chopard jewels. She was awarded best actress for “Silver Linings Playbook,” and on her way to collect the statuette, Lawrence tripped and stumbled on the stairs.

Angelina Jolie, 2012
Perhaps Lawrence should have taken cues from Angelina Jolie, who weren’t at risk at all from tripping at the 2012 Oscars award ceremony. Jolie stepped out to the red carpet with a black velvet Atelier Versace gown, which became iconic because of its thigh-high split. The black number seemed to showcase miles and miles of the A-list actress’ long and lithe right leg. She matched the unforgettable black dress with peep-toe heels and red lipstick, but her best accessory that night was her arm candy, husband Brad Pitt.

Bjork, 2001
Rounding up the tally is Icelandic singer-songwriter Bjork, whose Oscars dress is equally as memorable as the others mentioned, but not in a good way. She made quite a splash at the red carpet in 2001 for wearing a dress that resembles a white swan, courtesy of Macedonian designer Marjan Pejoski. Good or bad, Bjork who recently bagged the BRIT Awards 2016 International Female Solo Artist award, is on the same list of memorable celebrities at the Oscars red carpet.

The 88th Academy Awards, which will be hosted by actor Chris Rock will be aired on Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m. PST.