Oscars 2011

At a time when so many were going over the top, Calvin Klein and Gwyneth Paltrow conspired on a spare sensuality for the 1996 ceremony. "My idea of glamour goes back to when the first great stars, like Carole Lombard, Myrna Loy and Jean Harlow, would slink around in silky charmeuse gowns that looked right out of the lingerie drawer," says Klein. "A love of sensual simplicity brought me and Gwyneth together on this dress. She understands that restraint is a part of great style. She showed up alone and went through the fabric bolts with me and chose the pink charmeuse. Two fittings and we were done. Her loose, feminine hair was in perfect keeping with a dress designed to show off the woman and not the designer."