Red carpet outfits, such as those worn by Zendaya and Angelina Jolie, receive widespread attention, but their post-event fate is often overlooked. After the spotlight fades, these garments may be cleaned, stored in specialized facilities, or displayed in exhibitions. Some are even auctioned or kept by celebrities themselves. Whether preserved as historical artifacts or repurposed, the journey of these iconic pieces highlights their lasting significance in the world of fashion and culture.

Red Carpet Icons: Celebrities’ Stunning Outfits at the Golden Globes

Every time a celebrity steps onto a red carpet, their outfit is captured by countless cameras, preserving the results of countless hours of preparation. The recent Golden Globe Awards saw Zendaya wearing a stunning saffron Louis Vuitton gown, Angelina Jolie sparkling in a McQueen crystal chain dress, and Tilda Swinton in a custom-embroidered Chanel jacket. These outfits, showcased in front of the world, often become icons, immortalized on social media and dissected by influencers and fashion critics.

Zendaya Angelina Jolie and Tilda Swinton

However, the post-red carpet fate of these garments is a far less publicized aspect. What happens to these elaborate creations after they make their grand appearance? Some garments are carefully stored, others displayed in exhibitions, and some may even be auctioned. Occasionally, they are bought by the celebrities themselves, but there are also instances where the outfits don’t even survive the night.

1997 Oscars: The Birth of Red Carpet Fashion Collaborations

According to Lucy Bishop, a fashion expert from Sotheby’s auction house, the 1997 Oscars marked a pivotal moment in red-carpet history when Nicole Kidman wore a John Galliano-designed Dior chartreuse embroidered gown. This event marked the beginning of fashion houses collaborating more openly with celebrities, creating a new era where red-carpet outfits became more significant, and their preservation became more essential. As a result, the need to maintain these iconic pieces has never been greater.

Credits: AP

Red Carpet Gowns: Preserved, Purchased, and Never Forgotten

While in the past, red-carpet gowns may have been stashed away and forgotten, that’s no longer the case. Nowadays, the fashion houses responsible for these creations often have detailed plans in place for what happens to the garment once it’s been worn. Celebrities, too, are increasingly acquiring the outfits they wear, with figures like Kim Kardashian revealing she keeps all of her Met Gala outfits, excluding the Marilyn Monroe dress she wore in 2022, which was returned to Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Credits: CNN

After the event, the first step for any red-carpet garment is often a cleaning process. According to Sarah Scaturro, chief conservator at the Cleveland Museum of Art, a variety of factors, such as body lotions, oils, and makeup, can stain the fabric and oxidize it over time. Cleaning can involve dry cleaning, wet cleaning, or simply vacuuming and brushing the garment if necessary.

Red Carpet Outfits: Preserved and Displayed in Controlled Archives

Once cleaned, the outfits are typically stored in specialized facilities. Julie Ann Clauss, founder of The Wardrobe, an archiving studio, highlights the importance of maintaining a controlled environment to preserve these garments, ensuring proper humidity, temperature, and light levels to prevent degradation. Some pieces are displayed in exhibitions, such as the “Crown to Couture” event at Kensington Palace, which showcased iconic looks worn by stars like Billie Eilish and Beyoncé.

Celebrity Gowns: From Personal Collections to Auction Block

Historically, some gowns were kept by the celebrities themselves. Elizabeth Taylor famously gave away the Dior gown she wore to accept her Oscar, and it later sold for $200,000 at an auction. Occasionally, garments even make their way to the open market. After the 2019 Golden Globes, Lady Gaga’s gown was mistakenly left in a hotel room and later sold at auction.

Credits:Jamie McCarthy/Getty Image

Red-Carpet Dresses: When Fashion Meets Function

Interestingly, not all red-carpet creations survive the night. Some are altered or even discarded, like Tyla’s custom Balmain dress at the Met Gala. Designer Olivier Rousteing cut off the long skirt so Tyla could walk after struggling to move with four men carrying her up the stairs.

Whether preserved, displayed, or eventually auctioned, the afterlife of these stunning red-carpet outfits showcases the intricate journey these creations take beyond their initial moment of fame.