This Awards Season, the Red Carpet Belongs to Kirsten Dunst

Earlier this morning, Kirsten Dunst secured her first Oscar nomination for best supporting actress, for her role in Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog. (The actor joins fellow stars Judi Dench, Ariana DeBose, Jessie Buckley, and Aunjanue Ellis in the category.) Ahead of the grand ceremony on March 27, all of these Hollywood A-listers will be making their rounds at the various awards season ceremonies—and we’re highly anticipating Dunst’s fashion choices in particular. After all, nobody does red carpet whimsy quite like Dunst.

The actor has a long history of embracing fun and fanciful fashion on the step and repeat, and we’re sure to see her take things to the next level come Oscars day. Working with the stylist duo Nina & Clare for over a decade, Dunst has cultivated a look that’s all about embracing color, playful silhouettes—think lots of ruffles and tulle—and embellishment. Some of her most-worn labels have included Rodarte (Kate and Laura Mulleavy are close friends), Gucci, Dior, and Erdem—all labels known for creating show-stopping gowns heavy on the dreamy, fantasy-like elements. 

Sure, classic gowns and timeless designs will never tire in Tinseltown, but there’s something to Dunst’s bold approach to dressing that’s entirely refreshing. She’s unafraid of taking a bold, head-to-toe floral, like she recently did in a green Erdem frock for a premiere of The Power of the Dog. She’ll also happily pile on the tulle and play Hollywood princess for an evening: An unforgettable style moment was when she wore a Schiaparelli haute couture deep-V gown in lilac tulle to The Beguiled’s premiere in 2017. 

No matter the film or project she’s promoting, you can always count on Dunst to stick to her irreverent fashion identity, constantly reminding us that fashion should be fun and fabulous. And this Oscars season, after two years of semi-virtual ceremonies, we need those IRL fashion moments more than ever before. Dunst is destined to shine in the weeks to come—we’ll bet money on it.

Below, some of Dunst’s best recent style moments.