12 Unforgettable Red Carpet Dresses of the Year: A Fashion Retrospective

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As we prepare to say farewell to a year filled with remarkable sartorial triumphs, let’s take a moment to reflect on a dozen of the most breathtaking dresses that graced the red carpet. These unforgettable looks have left an indelible mark on our fashion memories, destined to inspire for years to come.

1. Claire Danes’ LED dress at the MET Gala

Claire Danes dazzles in a Zac Posen LED-lit ball gown, channeling a modern-day Cinderella at the MET Gala Claire Danes dazzles in a Zac Posen LED-lit ball gown, channeling a modern-day Cinderella at the MET Gala on May 2, 2016 (Credit: WENN)

Who could forget Claire Danes’ stunning ball gown at this year’s MET Gala? It was the epitome of a fairy tale princess dress, with its sweetheart bodice and voluminous skirt.

While the gown, designed by Zac Posen, looked breathtaking in the daylight, it became truly unforgettable when the lights dimmed. The dress, adorned with numerous LED lights, transformed into a magical, twinkling masterpiece that captivated everyone.

Claire Danes’ Zac Posen gown transforms into a glowing masterpiece, lighting up the night at the MET Gala Claire Danes’ Zac Posen gown transforms into a glowing masterpiece, lighting up the night at the MET Gala (Credit: Zac Posen’s Instagram)

2. Blake Lively at the 69th Cannes Film Festival

Blake Lively exudes elegance in a tiered Vivienne Westwood gown, channeling a modern-day princess at the Cannes Film FestivalBlake Lively exudes elegance in a tiered Vivienne Westwood gown, channeling a modern-day princess at the Cannes Film Festival (Credit: WENN)

The 29-year-old’s second pregnancy did not stop her from looking spectacular at the 69th Cannes Film Festival. All her looks this year have been stunning, but we’re particularly smitten with this Vivienne Westwood number, which boasted an embellished bodice and tiered skirt. Blake looked like a living, breathing Disney princess.

Blake Lively radiates joy and grace in a fairy tale-inspired Vivienne Westwood gown, captivating the crowd at the Cannes Film Festival Blake Lively radiates joy and grace in a fairy tale-inspired Vivienne Westwood gown, captivating the crowd at the Cannes Film Festival on May 13, 2016 (Credit: WENN)

3. Zendaya Coleman at the 2016 Golden Globes After Party

Zendaya stuns in a striking red Marchesa tiered gown at the Golden Globes After Party, effortlessly blending elegance with modern flairZendaya stuns in a striking red Marchesa tiered gown at the Golden Globes After Party, effortlessly blending elegance with modern flair (Credit: WENN)

We absolutely love the 20-year-old’s red-tiered gown from Marchesa, which she wore to the Golden Globes After Party. Apparently, so did the rest of the world, as it’s still ubiquitous on many social media platforms.

Zendaya glows with flawless elegance, pairing her stunning red gown with radiant makeup and statement earrings at the Golden Globes After Party Zendaya glows with flawless elegance, pairing her stunning red gown with radiant makeup and statement earrings at the Golden Globes After Party on January 11, 2016 (Credit: WENN)

4. Alessandra Ambrosio at the 69th Cannes Film Festival

Alessandra Ambrosio dazzles on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in a breathtaking Zuhair Murad gown, flawlessly blending glamour with daring eleganceAlessandra Ambrosio dazzles on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in a breathtaking Zuhair Murad gown, flawlessly blending glamour with daring elegance (Credit: WENN)

The Victoria’s Secret model floored us with her Zuhair Murad outfit, which was basically a cross between a gown and a jumpsuit. With all those embellishments, it’s easy to understand why we can’t forget this look.

Alessandra Ambrosio captivates in a shimmering Zuhair Murad gown, making a stunning entrance from every angle at the Cannes Film FestivalAlessandra Ambrosio captivates in a shimmering Zuhair Murad gown, making a stunning entrance from every angle at the Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2016 (Credit: WENN)

5. Nicole Kidman at the 2016 Met GALA

Nicole Kidman embodies celestial elegance in a stunning Alexander McQueen gown adorned with galaxy-inspired embellishments, making a dramatic statement at the MET Gala Nicole Kidman embodies celestial elegance in a stunning Alexander McQueen gown adorned with galaxy-inspired embellishments, making a dramatic statement at the MET Gala on May 2, 2016 (Credit: WENN)

Nicole Kidman brought the entire galaxy to life at this year’s MET Gala. Her caped Alexander McQueen dress, adorned with intricate galaxy embellishments, flawlessly captured the event’s futuristic theme.

6. Chanel Iman at the amfAR Fundraiser Event

Chanel Iman exudes effortless elegance in a sheer, intricately embellished gown at the amfAR Gala, blending daring sophistication with ethereal grace Chanel Iman exudes effortless elegance in a sheer, intricately embellished gown at the amfAR Gala, blending daring sophistication with ethereal grace in France on May 19, 2016 (Credit: WENN)

Daring meets modest. That’s the vibe we got from the model’s Marchesa dress at this year’s amfAR fundraiser event.

7. Kendall Jenner at the 69th Cannes Film Festival

Kendall Jenner commands attention in a daring, sheer black gown with intricate detailing, turning heads on the red carpet at the Cannes Film FestivalKendall Jenner commands attention in a daring, sheer black gown with intricate detailing, turning heads on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival (Credit: WENN)

The reality star and model pulled all the stops at the Cannes Film Festival this year. She set the red carpet on fire in this custom see-through creation from Roberto Cavalli.

Kendall Jenner exudes confidence in a sheer, intricately designed black gown, complemented by bold earrings, as she captivates the cameras at the Cannes Film FestivalKendall Jenner exudes confidence in a sheer, intricately designed black gown, complemented by bold earrings, as she captivates the cameras at the Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2016 (Credit: WENN)

8. Gigi Hadid at the American Music Awards 2016

Gigi Hadid channels bohemian elegance in a sheer, off-the-shoulder lace gown, making a bold fashion statement at the American Music Awards Gigi Hadid channels bohemian elegance in a sheer, off-the-shoulder lace gown, making a bold fashion statement at the American Music Awards on November 21, 2016 (Credit: WENN)

The 21-year-old channeled her inner bohemian goddess in this Roberto Cavalli lace dress at the AMAs this year. We loved how edgy she looked without going overboard.

9. Olivia Culpo at the 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards

Olivia Culpo dazzles at the Emmys in a chic, strapless tea-length gown adorned with delicate embellishments, perfectly paired with metallic heels for a modern twist Olivia Culpo dazzles at the Emmys in a chic, strapless tea-length gown adorned with delicate embellishments, perfectly paired with metallic heels for a modern twist on September 19, 2016 (Credit: WENN)

Another Zac Posen dress that twinkled in the night! The only difference is that Olivia’s dress wasn’t equipped with electrical lights.

10. Emilia Clarke at the U.K. premiere of “Me Before You”

Emilia Clarke exudes charm in a delicate lace dress with playful yellow accents, bringing a fresh and feminine touch to the red carpet at the Me Before You premiereEmilia Clarke exudes charm in a delicate lace dress with playful yellow accents, bringing a fresh and feminine touch to the red carpet at the Me Before You premiere on May 25, 2016 (Credit: WENN)

The British actress was a ray of sunshine at her movie’s London premiere in a lace-tiered dress from premium fashion blogger-turned-fashion designer Ulyana Sergeenko. This dress will instantly make you look pretty!

11. Elle Fanning at Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood

Elle Fanning embraces whimsical fashion in a quirky, embellished dress with playful appliqués, bringing a vibrant and youthful energy to Variety's Power of Young Hollywood event Elle Fanning embraces whimsical fashion in a quirky, embellished dress with playful appliqués, bringing a vibrant and youthful energy to Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood event on August 16, 2016 (Credit: WENN)

Elle Fanning was an absolute vision in a quirky dress from the Marc Jacobs Resort 2017 collection. With its bold embellishments, this statement piece demanded attention.

12. Lily Collins at the 22nd Annual Critics’ Choice Awards

Lily Collins exudes ethereal elegance in a delicate, lace-embellished gown with flared sleeves, perfectly complementing her timeless beauty at the Critics' Choice Awards Lily Collins exudes ethereal elegance in a delicate, lace-embellished gown with flared sleeves, perfectly complementing her timeless beauty at the Critics’ Choice Awards on December 11, 2016 (Credit: WENN)

Just recently, the 27-year-old stunned in an Elie Saab bell-sleeved dress. This dress suited the actress to perfection.

What do you think of these dresses? Did you find them as unforgettable as we do?