1991 in Valentino
It's not that designers weren't giving celebs clothes, or that Nicole didn't wear a designer before 1997; it's more that a lot fewer people CARED who wore what, and she didn't get as much glossy stuff until that day. This is... expensive, and... Valentino, but that's about all I have to say about it.
1994 in Valentino
Perhaps Valentino was her default at this point. This is fine but boring.
1996 in Dior
And that's just... zzzz. At least it's a color? But it looks like a nightgown.
1997 in Dior
And then KABOOM. That color takes a lot of confidence.
There is a lot more detail in the back. It was actually hard to find a pic of it, which is a shame. That's another thing that's been refined since 1997: The photographers know what to get, and the stars know what to give... and as such, there's a real step-and-repeat rather than people just milling around they way they once did.
2000: Dior
This is Galliano again -- I feel like once you know it was designed by a dude who often dressed like a pirate, it seems very obvious. I don't really like the dress, but you can't argue she'd started making more dramatic choices.
2002 in Chanel
Nic took her sister this year, because she and TC had split up. I don't remember liking this much at the time -- it's a little precious? That boob ruffle! -- but I'm softening to it a little. It does at least fit, and she did well with the hair and makeup to keep herself from looking like an expensive ghost.
2003 in Jean Paul Gaultier
Eh. Actually, the dress might be okay, but the hair is SO severe. Looking at a lot of the close-ups from the night, I also think it was one where she just didn't QUITE look like herself.
2004 in Chanel
I do NOT like this one. Chanel again, and it's got a similarly weird boob area. This all felt like it wore her.
2006 in Balenciaga
Much better.
2007 in Balenciaga
This was another one I didn't like at the time, but which I've warmed to over the years, maybe because she's worn so much WORSE stuff. It does indeed look like the neck piece is holding her head in place, but it's nice to see her in red.
2008 in Balenciaga
Okay, no. This looks like she fell in love with the necklace and just asked for any old thing that SORT OF had room for it.
2011 in Dior
I had a moment where I wondered if this, somehow, was Marchesa. (It would have surprised me; she is not a Marchesa person, historically.) It's VERY glam on her.
2013 in L'Wren Scott
RIP, L'Wren. This is stunning -- that gold swirl detail on the skirt is amazing.
2015 in Louis Vuitton
I quite like this. The color reminds me more of things Naomi Watts, her pal, has worn. Maybe Naomi picked it out. "NO MORE WHITE, Nicole. No more black. LISTEN." It's a neat dress, and it changes based on the light because of the fabric...
Neat, right?
2017 in Armani
I always go back and forth on this one, because initially it looks like it's artistically censoring her. But no, it's not sheer anywhere. I think it's sort of boxy, in the end? She styled it well but I have a hard time fully giving it my love.
2018 in Armani
And this one just made me laugh. It's like she came ready to wander the aisles during intermission selling ice cream, candy, and cigarettes.