The Winner's Circle: Best Red Carpet Dresses of the Year

Every award show, premiere and major Hollywood event is a sea of stunning gowns. But some looks, like Jessica Chastain's purple Givenchy and Nicole Richie's lamé Marc Jacobs, are so gorgeous, they deserve another moment in the fashion spotlight

JESSICA CHASTAIN AT CANNES

EPA

We like in nude hues, but we love her in color. That’s why we swooned when she stepped out in this violet beaded Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci gown, which looks amazing with her porcelain skin and fiery hair.

EMMA WATSON AT THE MET GALA

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

How does a black gown go from a standard black tie look to something we’re still talking about months later? shows how it’s done in this sexy Prabal Gurung design with an exposed midriff, asymmetrical top and major slit.

NICOLE RICHIE AT THE CFDA AWARDS

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

You know you’re a true style setter when your dress turns heads at a fashion industry event. Case in point: gold Marc Jacobs number, which features skinny straps and a dramatic super-low back. Seriously, who else on this planet would make you contemplate wearing lamé?

KATE HUDSON AT THE TIFFANY & CO. BLUE BOOK BALL

Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

The last gown that nabbed a spot on this list was black, had long sleeves and displayed some serious décolletage. This aqua Reem Acra number is a complete 180, but equally as jaw-dropping thanks to its thigh-high slit and sweetheart neckline.

ANNE HATHAWAY AT THE MET GALA

Larry Busacca/Getty

After ditching one of his designs for a Pink Prada at the Oscars, delivers one major mea culpa in a vintage 1992 Valentino, featuring whiplash-inducing sheer panels (we’re still trying to figure out how she keeps all the goods in place) and feather cuffs.

EMMY ROSSUM AT THE CRITICS' CHOICE TEVELVISION AWARDS

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

This girl is on fire. The lyrics from hit pop into our heads every time we look at the Shameless star in her beaded Naeem Khan number, matching red pout and sleek side-parted waves.

ALESSANDRA AMBRéSIO AT CANNES

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

“I saw this gown and was like, done,” the supermodel’s stylist Jennifer Mazur says of the liquid silver Roberto Cavalli that caused temperatures to rise across the French Riviera.

FREIDA PINTO AT CANNES

Matt Baron / BEImages

Maybe it’s the 3D belt or vibrant coral color, but Freida’s Gucci halter (that she wears to the premiere of The Great Gatsby) is simply magical. Plus, the crown plait and Chopard jewels are like cherries on top of a perfectly-iced couture cake.

SOLANGE KNOWLES AT CANNES

Matt Baron/BEImages

Bey’s stylish baby sis definitely brushed up on Cannes Dressing 101, gliding across the carpet in this Stéphane Rolland gown, complete with the type of eye-catching train that makes photographers very snap-happy. (Oh yeah, and those Chopard globes hanging from her lobes have their own brand of attention-grabbing power.)