Cate Blanchett caused a stir at the SAG Awards last year after she called out a cameraman for ogling her dress, kicking off the backlash to the sexism occurring in Hollywood.
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At this year's Oscars, while her fellow peers such as Patricia Arquette and Reese Witherspoon were jumping on the #AskHerMore social media bandwagon, which encourages reporters to discuss more than an actor's wardrobe choice, Blanchett made a bold sartorial statement by wearing a gown by disgraced designer John Galliano.
The former head of Givenchy, Christian Dior and his eponymous label has only recently returned to the fashion fold after a drunken anti-Semitic rant in Paris had him exiled like hipster jeans four years ago.
The British designer is now the creative director of Maison Martin Margiela and Blanchett, the darling of Hollywood, created the biggest coup in the new chapter of his career by showcasing a black gown with frayed sleeves on the world's most popular and closely monitored runway: the Oscars red carpet.
Blanchett wasn't the only Australian making waves. Even though it appeared as if Nicole Kidman had spilt a latte down the front of her sequinned encrusted Louis Vuitton dress, her famous red hair making its comeback was a highlight of the red carpet.
However, while rusted-on fans from her BMX Bandits days were rejoicing, Hollywood's fashion elite were not and named her as one of the worst dressed of the night.
"The Oscar winner's iridescent Louis Vuitton frock completely clashed with her belt and newly red locks," E! said.
Always at the forefront of fashion, Lady Gaga wore Azzedine Alaïa, who has never before designed pieces specifically for the award ceremony. While the shimmering white gown complete with crocodile skin texture and strong shoulders fitted like a glove, the singer coincidentally teamed it with gloves that were more Ansell than Amal Clooney.
Emma Stone, in a crystal-encrusted celery-coloured gown by Elie Saab, and Jennifer Aniston, in a beaded nude Versace number, made the ateliers and tailors who spent weeks custom fitting the intricate gowns hold their breath when they aggressively embraced for the cameras. Thankfully, no couture was harmed as they hammed it up.
Channelling old Hollywood glamour was Rosamund Pike and Wild's Witherspoon, who shone in blood red and stark white respectively. Pike, who gave birth 11 weeks ago, killed it like her character Amy killed Desi did in Gone Girl in a form-fitting lace Givenchy gown.
Witherspoon graced the red carpet looking like a blonde Audrey Hepburn in a monochrome dress with boatneck collar by Tom Ford.
