Dior Darling Charlize Theron Is All About Edgy Glamour on the Red Carpet

Ever since Charlize Theron entered the scene in 1996, she’s been completely unstoppable on the red carpet. As the longtime face of Dior’s fragrance J’adore Dior, she has regularly called on the label to outfit her for some of her more glamorous outings, relying on designs from the Raf Simons days through Maria Grazia Chiuri’s current tenure, though her close relationship with John Galliano resulted in some of her most memorable moments with the brand. An apparent fan of old-school silhouettes with an edgy, contemporary upgrade, Theron has become known for commanding the red carpet, specifically at Cannes. From a canary-yellow gown for the 2015 premiere of Mad Max to a daring tuxedo for 2016’s premiere of The Last Face, the actress has had many memorable moments in the south of France. In honor of the actress’ 48th birthday, we’re looking back at her best looks over the years, so get ready to see a whole lot of Dior and some envy-inducing gowns.

Theron posed in front of the Colosseum in a Dior spring 2023 haute couture mesh dress over shorts and a bralette. She completed the look with a leather beret and black pumps.

A brunette Theron whore a sheer blouse tucked into a black silk taffeta skirt with fishnet tights and lace, knee-high boots from Dior’s resort 2023 collection to the premiere of her Netflix film.

Theron kept it simple for the Oscars in 2020, wearing a Dior dress with a structured bodice and high slit.

She then changed into a much more dramatic look for the after party, arriving in a gold fringe, one-shoulder number from the Dior spring 2020 couture collection.

Theron had this Dior fall 2019 haute couture dress shortened for the 2019 premiere of her film, Bombshell.

While the front of this blue, custom Dior dress was pretty simple, the actress turned around to show off a complete open back on the Oscars red carpet.

Theron wore a black pleated Dior fall 2018 dress covered in butterfly motifs to the premiere of her film, Tully, in 2018.

The actress celebrated Cannes Film Festival’s 70th anniversary in a lace and tulle Dior couture dress.

Theron made quite the statement in this sheer, embellished Dior fall 2017 dress with knee-high boots and loads of necklaces at The Fate of the Furious Premiere in 2017.

The actress wore a gold Dior spring 2017 dress with a pleated skirt and low neckline to the Oscars in 2017.

Theron mixed things up and opted for a suit at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, though she did stay consistent in her designers, as the look was, of course, Dior.

If you look closely, you will see little insect embellishments climbing up the shoulder of Theron’s Dior spring 2016 couture dress.

Once again, the actress wore Dior to the Vanity Fair Oscar party, opting for a red hot dress with a dramaticly low-cut neckline.

Theron looked gorgeous in a bright yellow Dior couture dress with a corseted bodice and long train that trailed behind her on the Cannes red carpet.

The star showed off a shimmering, black knee-length Dior dress at the premiere for Dark Places in 2015.

At the 2014 Met Gala, Theron topped her black and white Dior couture dress with a black blazer.

Theron wore a black Dior dress with a dramatic neckline and tulle skirt to the Oscars in 2014.

A year earlier, she attended the awards in a white Dior dress with an embroidered peplum.

Theron wore a sparkling, midnight blue Dior couture mini dress to the premiere of her film, Prometheus, in 2012.

The premiere of Snow White and The Huntsman called for a sheer Dior spring 2012 couture gown with a gathered halter neckline.

The actress glowed in a diamond-accented blush dress by Dior couture, which she accessorized with a glam, embellished headband.

Theron mixed things up a bit for the 2011 Oscar after party and wore an Atelier Versace, one-shoulder gown with a embellished, gathered waist.

Theron wore a lilac Dior couture gown with rosette details on the bust to the Oscars in 2010.

Wearing an Atelier Versace gown that resembled a silver stained glass window, Theron attended the premiere of The Burning Plain at the Venice Film Festival.

Theron wore a Versace dress featuring a drop-waist and layered tulle skirt to the premiere of The Valley of Elah at the Venice Film Festival in 2006.

The actress wore a dramatic, burgundy Dior by John Galliano gown while attending the Met Gala on the arm of the designer.

While Theron may not have won the Oscar for Best Actress in 2006, she did get on all the best dressed lists thanks to this forest green Dior by John Galliano gown.

Theron embraced a flapper style in a beaded Chanel mini dress at the 2005 Emmy Awards.

Wearing a blue Dior by John Galliano gown with a ruffled-covered skirt, Theron attended the Oscars in 2005.

Theron’s black Dior dress at the 2005 SAG Awards was all about the beaded details on the back.

The actress wore a sea foam green, satin Dior dress on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet in 2004.

Theron accessorized her black Dior gown with a fur stole and dramatic choker necklace at the 2004 Met Gala.

Theron took home the Oscar for Best Actress in 2004 while wearing a gold, embellished Gucci gown.

The actress wore a beaded Douglas Hannant gown to the premiere of The Italian Job in 2003.

Theron took a bit of a risk at the 2001 Golden Globes, attending the awards in a black dress feauring a dramatically low neckline and side cutouts.

Theron wore an orange Vera Wang dress with a completely open back to the Oscars in 2000.

The actress attended the SAG Awards in a red slip dress covered in floral embroidered along with a matching shawl.

Theron embraced a bit of shine for the 2000 premiere of Reindeer Games with a silver, one-shoulder dress, black sandals, and bangs.

An actress’ first Met Gala is a pretty big deal, and Theron celebrated the occasion in a simple silver dress with a sheer purple shawl.

Theron attended the premiere of her film, Mighty Joe Young, in a red set while on the arm of her then-boyfriend, singer Stephan Jenkins.

The actress attended her first Vanity Fair Oscar party in a velvet silver dress and cropped hair.

Theron looked red hot in a bandage style dress with a low neckline.

The actress rarely wears patterns these days, but back in 1996, she attended the premier of her film in a sparkly pink and orange chevron dress with a low neck and keyhole cutout.

At one of her first red carpet appearances, the newcomer opted to wear a black, lingerie-inspired slip dress with white lace trim on the neckline.

This article was originally published on Aug. 7, 2017