L’HISTOIRE: Cate Blanchett’s Backless Jean Paul Gaultier Dress at the 2000 Oscars
The actor's skin-baring Y2K moment was ahead of its time. Her heaping amount of gold jewelry and elegantly tucked hair made brought it all together.
L’HISTOIRE explores fashion history moments you should know, from what actors wore on a red carpet to celebrities who made cameos on the runway. Some are unsung, and some are better known. Each is part of the fabric of today’s fashion world, be it barrier breakers or culture makers.
Before Cate Blanchett became an undisputed film icon, she was just still one to watch in the early 2000s. Attending the 72nd Annual Academy Awards, it was only her second time gracing the ceremony’s red carpet. She wasn’t nominated for a project that year, but Blanchett presented the award for Best Live Action Short Film alongside Jude Law. It was a night where Hollywood’s rising stars mingled with its established legends, and Blanchett’s unforgettable look in 2000 ensured she was seen as the former ascending to the latter.
If there were any doubts about her place among Hollywood’s elite, Blanchett’s choice of attire silenced them. She arrived in a black, figure-hugging Jean Paul Gaultier gown from his Spring/Summer 2000 couture collection, featuring a daringly low back adorned with intricate gold-chain details. Styled by jewelry designer Cynthia Bach, her ensemble came together thanks to a dazzling array of antique Mughal-inspired jewels: ruby-studded bangles, gilded armbands, and a cascading gold neckpiece that emphasized the gown’s dramatic back.
“I was like, ‘Cate, if you’re gonna do it, do it all the way. Make a statement!’” said Bach to Vogue in 2019 on her look. The Los Angeles–based jewelry designer was fresh from a whirlwind trip to India, arriving at Blanchett’s hotel room just three hours before the actor was set to walk the red carpet. With time ticking, Bach meticulously styled Blanchett in head-to-toe gold, ensuring every detail of the look fell into place. Hairstylist Danilo completed the look by adorning Blanchett’s sleek chignon with a repurposed gold ornament, adding a touch of avant-garde elegance alongside a smokey eye makeup look.
Blanchett has since delivered a myriad of memorable red-carpet moments, as she has delivered a variety of award-worthy performances. Her Gaultier getup epitomized the era’s obsession with daring backless designs—a precursor to the iconic peek-a-boo thong trends that would dominate early 2000s red carpets. Her look captured the bold, boundary-pushing spirit of Y2K fashion, blending high glamour with a touch of rebellion. It’s evident Blanchett went for gold that night, even if she wasn't nominated for an Oscar itself.
Her backless look still inspires today, anchoring the cut in the 21st-century cultural zeitgeist. Summer 2022 marked a dramatic resurgence of this daring style, helping more embrace it as a timeless piece. The likes of Zendaya and Rihanna have showcased their unique takes on the trend, while fashion houses such as Versace and Roberto Cavalli continue to champion the backless dress on runways. Recreate the sexy, low-back look with Guizio's bow-adorned, midi dress. For something slightly less risqué but still classic, shop Sézane's low-back wool dress or Nookie's sweeping gown with crisscrossed straps.
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