L'HISTOIRE: Celine Dion’s Low-Back Dior Tuxedo at the 1999 Oscars
The singer's Dior look by John Galliano resulted in ridicule at the time, but it has since become one of her most iconic outfits. See how she styled it and how to recreate it decades later.
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.
Celine Dion made quite a statement at the 71st Annual Academy Awards in 1999 with more than her vocal prowess. Nominated for Best Original Song for "The Prayer" from Quest for Camelot, the music icon delivered a mesmerizing performance alongside Andrea Bocelli on stage that night. But it was her bold red carpet look that truly stole the show, ensuring her look would be remembered as much as her stage presence.
The French-Canadian singer donned a white tuxedo from John Galliano’s Spring 1999 couture collection for Christian Dior. Styled with a cocked fedora and diamond-studded Ray-Ban sunglasses, the look featured an unmissable and literal twist: Dion wore the tuxedo jacket backwards. This unexpected styling decision created a low-back window that was subtly sexy, yet the decision to turn it around was unconventional for the era. At the time, the outfit landed her on numerous worst-dressed lists, with critics calling it unorthodox for the traditional glitz and glamour of the Oscars. Years later, however, the look has been reappraised as a trailblazing moment in red carpet history—one Dion herself referenced in 2019.
In the decades since Dion’s avant-garde tuxedo, red carpet fashion has evolved significantly. While events like the Cannes Film Festival remain notorious for enforcing strict dress codes, others like the Met Gala and Golden Globes have become platforms for rule-breaking style. Mile-long trains and theatrical creations that dominated the '90s still hold sway, but bold, gender-fluid ensembles and unexpected silhouettes are increasingly celebrated. Dion’s backwards tuxedo, once maligned, now feels like a precursor to the fearless fashion statements that define today’s red carpets.
The “My Heart Will Go On” singer’s decision to flip the script on tuxedo styling was nothing short of brilliant and brave. Dion proved that elegance doesn’t always equate to beautiful gowns and that daring to be different can make a lasting impact, even if it's not popular at first. Twenty-six years later, her look is a reminder that fashion’s most memorable moments often come from breaking the rules. To recreate something inspired by her look, go for a LaQuan Smith's reverse blazer dress or a white jacket with a satin finish, like Altuzarra’s double-breasted option. Accessorize with a pair of glitzy sunglasses, like Gentle Monster's jewelry frames, to complete your outfit.
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