Red carpets are all about the glitz and the glams.
Such events are most often used as an opportunity for designers to exhibit their most valuable gowns and elaborate designs, using the popularity and fame of celebrities.
Throughout red carpet history however, some looks have defied the norms and have therefore become more memorable than others.
Some designs have even pushed the boundaries of fashion to new heights, creating reality-bending styles.
Bored Panda takes a look at some of the most unique dresses and gowns worn by celebrities, which at times gave some sort of optical illusions.
This post may include affiliate links.
Keira Knightley's Tiny Waist
Nearly 10 years ago, Keira Knightley, who was Chanel's muse at the time, appeared in a waist-whittling getup while outside the label's runway show in Paris.
No way! Really? You’re good at figuring stuff out!
Load More Replies...I love that people are still thinking she's wearing a "top and skirt." Zoom in and you'll see he's wearing a basic white shift dress with black trim and a black shape over her tummy. It's an "optical illusion dress" that would only work on a white background.
What part of "optical illusion" did you fail to understand?
Load More Replies...Joey King's Hypnotizing Number
In 2020, Joey King appeared at the Golden Globes red carpet in a mesmerizing black and white Iris Van Herpen dress that gave serious optical illusion vibes.
Björk's Infamous Swan
On March 25, 2001, Björk made history when she wore Marjan Pejoski's swan dress at the 73rd Academy Awards.
The unique look was later voted one of the most iconic red-carpet dresses of all time.
Wasn't really an illusion though. More a water cooler topic for about a month.
And remember the sad one of pink ballerina outfit, I can’t remember her name but she had an eating disorder and was slammed for the look
Load More Replies...I always thought this looked like she murdered a swan and draped the carcass around her neck.
And tired of that swan who kept chasing her down the street.
Load More Replies...I always thought this dress was a little bit silly until I saw a bunch of real swans holding onto their handlers with their necks, just like this. Suddeny, I was a fan.
I love this dress. I had a fancy dessert party for my 21st birthday and my mother made me a replica of this swan dress - I wish I still had it!
I WISH it’d been an optical illusion; anything so we didn’t hafta look at this hideous thing, which is “iconic” for all the wrong reasons. 🤢
Heidi Klum's Moving Water Design
Last year, Heidi Klum appeared on the Avatar 2: The Wave of Water red carpet wearing a Lever Couture dress featuring sculptural sleeves and an asymmetrical bottom half that included excess tulle material cut into thick fringe strips and a thigh-high slit.
The design gave the illusion that Heidi was in moving water.
it kinda just looks like tape, or those, weird long thingies in front of the freezers at costco 💀
That’s because you’re looking at a photo. Seeing it on video looked FREAKY, but in a most EXCELLENT way! (And yeah, it looked like water. Wow!)
Load More Replies...Stiill photos absolutely do not do this dress justice - the physics of the way the fabric moves is a little mesmerizing. 🤍
Céline Dion Making Us Feel Dizzy
In 2019, Céline Dion stepped out in Paris for the Iris van Herpen show during Paris Couture Week wearing a long-sleeved see-through gown made of vertical, 3D-esque wavy red strands.
The result made for an optical illusion which almost made us feel dizzy when staring too long at it.
Celine often has some unique numbers on the red carpet. Personally, they haven’t been my cup of tea but I’m glad she’s showing these interesting designs and I hope she enjoys wearing them.
It looks like the netting from fruit. Also, how is it possible to walk in it- it seems too long and ttight!
I think it’s all sproingy so stretches easily as she walks
Load More Replies...Yuck, that dress is hideous. Did she make her hair purposefully greasy to match?
Emma Watson's Levitating Dress
Emma Watson appeared in a Loewe sky-blue dress in June, which looked like it was floating on her body. A true "wingardium leviosa" moment.
The guys shirt is buttoned wrong...were they just fooling around...LOL
That’s such an interesting design. Hmm - just realized there is something about it that’s reminding me of a yip yip monster, though
Bella Hadid's Sprayed Dress
Parisian brand Coperni literally sprayed a dress onto Bella Hadid during its Spring/Summer 2023 show at Paris Fashion Week.
I remember that this dress was to demonstrate new technology such as potential spray on medical bandages
sprayed is the right word. like paint guns that spray liquid filaments of material onto the body that solidify as it dries. Capture-65...224a3d.jpg
Fishy Emma Corrin
Emma Corrin graced the 2022 London Film Festival red carpet Saturday in a goldfish in a bag.
The bizarre gown was designed by JW Anderson, and first made an appearance at Anderson's spring 2023 show.
I have dustbin liners just like that, although I don't have a plastic gold fish stuck on them to pretend they are fancy.
The whole effect is terrible. Couldn't they have at least given her some attractive shoes?
Double Trouble With Elsa Hosk
Elsa Hosk showed up to a screening of La Passion De Dodin Bouffant in an otherwordly gown from Viktor & Rolf's spring/summer 2023 collection.
The dress, titled "Late Stage Capitalism Waltz," was described as "an absurd take on a stereotypical couture ballgown for the 21st century."
All the dresses in this series were art pieces not meant to be worn. (And they can’t be worn anyway; check out the series and you’ll see why.)
Jennifer Lawrence's 2D-3D Dress
Jennifer Lawrence in this nude number at the "Sin Malos Rollos" Madrid, Spain premiere in June 2023.
Her strapless Loewe dress looked 2D from the front and 3D from the side.
Where’s the “optical illusion”? In this case, I’d prefer one in which we can’t see the dress.
Emily Ratajkowski
Emily Ratajkowski attended the Loewe Womenswear Fall/Winter 2023-2024 show wearing a giant anthurium leaf, as part of Paris Fashion Week in March.
Kim Kardashian's Naked People's Choice Award Dress
Kim Kardashian wore a vintage 1996 Jean Paul Gaultier dress that seemingly merged the optical illusion trend with a classic naked dress design.
The reality TV star graced the red carpet at the 2018 E! People's Choice Award.
I'm surprised that Gauthier allowed this dress out of the shop with that poor seam mid thigh
Isn’t it just a crease in the fabric where she has hoiked it up 1-2cm?
Load More Replies...Free The Nipple With Kendall Jenner
In May, Kendall Jenner was photographed on a yacht, wearing a little black dress cut to show her breasts.
The dress in question was from David Koma's fall/winter 2023 collection, and was designed to rely on a mesh effect to create the optical illusion of a naked top.
No, if you click the link thing you can see that they're supposed to be flowers Still super weird though...
Load More Replies...Now BP, this is not towards the writer. But why do you include celeb things to this site. Also the the posts with affiliate links to buy *this thing*. Those get downvoted like shït, maybe take a hint soon‽ edit: fixing strange sentence construction, have no idea what I wrote..!
Now BP, this is not towards the writer. But why do you include celeb things to this site. Also the the posts with affiliate links to buy *this thing*. Those get downvoted like shït, maybe take a hint soon‽ edit: fixing strange sentence construction, have no idea what I wrote..!
