Pop culture

A Look Back at Young Courtney Love's '90s Style

The free-spirited rockstar has always had bold style, we've taken a look at Courtney Love's ever-resonant 90's style.

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Ever the drama queen, Love fittingly wears a crown to the 1995 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

Embracing the true essence of a rockstar, Courtney Love has never been one to shy away from controversy. Her biggest and most recent scandal was in 2021 when she made headlines for accusing pop darling Olivia Rodrigo of plagiarising her band's album cover. Love, however, has had a long history of making waves. Her ascent into the public eye began in the 1990s as she performed as the lead vocalist for rock band The Hole, and married the late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. From there, she gained notoriety not just for her successful music career, but antics like throwing a shoe at Madonna on live television and flashing David Letterman. Just like her unabashed personality, Love has worn plenty of head-turning outfits throughout the height of her career.

During the '90s and early 2000s, the singer-songwriter effortlessly vacillated between grunge and Old Hollywood glam. She looked just as confident in all-black ensembles and bedhead as she did in elegant gowns with her blonde locks coiffed, rocking see-through dresses balanced by delicate lace appliques. On Love's 59th birthday, celebrate her outspoken energy with a look back at her best '90s looks.

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Courtney Love holds hands with Kurt Cobain at the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards as she carries their daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, on her hip.
The lead vocalist of Hole, Love performs on MTV Unplugged in 1995.
Full of her signature sass at the 12th Annual MTV Video Music Awards.
Clearly Love has a penchant for white plunge dresses—she wears this number alongside Drew Barrymore and Eric Erlandson at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards.
Love channels Old Hollywood glam at the 1997 Golden Globe Awards, where she was nominated for her role in "The People Vs. Larry Flynt."
Love looks like royalty in this off-the-shoulder gown.
Wearing a draped Versace dress, Love looks elegant at the 1997 VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards.
With tousled waves and a patterned dress, the star embraces a more bohemian look for a movie premiere in 1998.
Love looks badass in a plunging black halter and low-rise leather pants—a look that would still be on-trend today.
Grinning next to to Gwen Stefani and Melissa Auf der Maur at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards, Love wears a sheer embroidered purple gown and star pendant.
Truly the main character: Love casts Baywatch babes as extras for her "Malibu" music video in 1998.
Turquoise gems adorn Love's hair at the 1998 Billboard Music Awards.
Always a fan of the edgy look, the singer wears this sheer ensemble to the "200 Cigarettes" Los Angeles premiere.
At the the 1999 Gibson Guitar Awards at Hard Rock Cafe in Los Angeles, Love sports rhinestone-studded tights during her performance.
Love looks ethereal performing at the 1999 Glastonbury Festival in a pink balconette bra and fairy wings.
A seamless marriage of grunge and couture, Love's Dior dress by John Galliano had plenty of strategically placed rips.
For the 72nd Annual Academy Awards Vanity Fair Party, Love opts for the see-through look again, this time in a pale pink.

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