This was the most expensive Oscars dress ever worn

Jennifer Lawrence in a white dior dress at the oscars 2013 - the most expensive dress ever worn at the Oscars
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Academy Awards 2023 is almost here, and before the ceremony on Sunday we're admiring the best Oscars dresses ever, which had us questioning which star has worn the most expensive dress at the Oscars?

Every year, A-list actresses take to the red carpet in the most exquisite couture gowns, from the likes of Valentino, Dior, Chanel, Prada and other premium designer houses.

Naturally, with so much work going into them (most of them take hours and hours to make, especially if they're embellished), there comes a hefty price tag.

Originally, it was thought Nicole Kidman had worn the most expensive Oscars dress of all timeto the 1997 Academy Awards. It was a chartreuse Haute Couture gown designed by John Galliano for Christian Dior, and she was rumoured to have been paid $2m to wear it to the event. Yep, that's a thing.

But it turns out that eye-watering sum doesn't come close to the most expensive dress ever worn at the Osca. Nicole was pipped to the post by none other than Jennifer Lawrence and the fabulous strapless ballgown she wore to pick up her Best Actress gong at the 2013 ceremony.

Jennifer Lawrence with her Oscar at the 2013 Oscar ceremony in the most expensive dress ever worn at the Oscars

(Image credit: Getty Images)

You will remember that the cream gown featured a gorgeous voluminous skirt that sadly led her to fall on the stairs when she went to pick up her gong.

It was designed by Raf Simons for Christian Dior Haute Couture and was one of his final looks of his collection that season. Jennifer Lawrence later said not many fittings went into it, she just tried it on that morning and it fit.

The dress is rumoured to be worth $4m, double what Nicole Kidman's was, and that's likely to be the cost of the dress itself (depending on the level of embroidery and detail, they can come with a six figure price tag), as well as the contract J-Law signed with Dior.

At the time, she'd signed a three-year deal with the label, worth $15m, and as part of it would only wear Dior to red carpet events.

How to watch the Oscars 2023 in the UK? 

The 2023 Oscars will air in the UK in the early hours of Sunday 12th March from midnight.

You can watch the ceremony via Sky Showcase or NOW tv where you can opt for the seven day free trial if you've never tried NOW tv before.

Make sure to check out all the Oscars Academy Awards Nominees 2023, while you're here. Here at Marie Claire, we'll be bring you the must see red carpet outfits plus live reporting the winners as they collect their gong.

Follow our Instagram for the latest updates. 

Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Contributing Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK. She writes about catwalk trends and the latest high street and Instagram sartorial must-haves. She also helms the Women Who Win franchise.

She has worked in fashion for over 10 years, contributing to publications such as Cosmopolitan, Red, Good Housekeeping, and Stylist.