Don’t let being pregnant discourage you from getting decked out for a fancy party or wedding, you just need to know how to dress up pregnant and designers Marchesa, Escada, Narcisco Rodrigueza and Balenciaga provide great inspiration.
Jessica Alba, 2008
Given her year of clunkers (Good Luck Chuck, anybody? Fantastic Four 2?), Jessica Alba (7 months pregnant at the ceremony) failed to secure any Oscar nominations in 2008. However, her wine-colored, feathered Marchesa gown and Cartier diamonds put her at the top of many of the year’s best-dressed lists.
Cate Blanchett, 2008
2008 was a big year for Cate Blanchett, nominated in two Academy Awards categories (Best Actress for Elizabeth: The Golden Age and Best Supporting Actress for I’m Not There ) and eight months pregnant at the ceremony. Rather than downplaying her bump, Cate Blanchett decked it out in the night’s most intriguing ensemble — lethal stilettos, a blue satin Dries Van Noten gown, oversized jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz jewels and a Roger Vivier clutch.
Meryl Streep, 1983
Unbeknownst to the public, Meryl Streep was six months pregnant with Mamie Gummer when she won the Oscar for Sophie’s Choice. The beading on her stunning gold gown kept all eyes on the star’s face, and the clever pleated skirt disguised her bump.
Catherine Zeta-Jones, 2003
Catherine Zeta-Jones was just entering her ninth month when she walked down the red carpet in a low-cut black gown with beaded straps and pink coral Fred Leighton earrings. When she won for Best Supporting Actress (for Chicago), the actress cried “My hormones are way too out of control to be dealing with this!” Backstage, Zeta-Jones reported that her unborn daughter Carys was “kicking like crazy.”
Naomi Watts, 2007
Naomi Watts hadn’t yet announced her pregnancy (five months along) when she walked the red carpet in a yellow drop-sleeved Escada gown — but the loose fit and empire waist had tongues wagging. Lucky for gossip hounds, before Naomi could confirm or deny, the Escada PR department released a statement announcing that the dress “set off her most precious new asset — the baby she is expecting with longtime boyfriend Liev Schreiber.
Rachel Weisz, 2006
Designer Narcisco Rodriguez made three separate dresses for seven-months-pregnant Rachel Weisz to choose from; the Best Supporting Actress winner (for The Constant Gardener) selected a black off-the-shoulder number the day of the ceremony.
Nicole Kidman, 2008
Five-months-pregnant Nicole Kidman, in black Balenciaga, kept things simple — except for that L’Wren Scott diamond necklace, which weighed in at a whopping 1,399 carats.
Nominated for Fatal Attraction, Glenn Close nearly didn’t make the ceremony because of a horrendous traffic jam — she was one of several stars who got out of her limo and walked! Her daughter Annie was born just fifteen days after the ceremony.
