Suit purchased on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills

If we had to pinpoint the exact moment when Julia Roberts' career really took off, it would undoubtedly be the 1990 Golden Globe Awards ceremony. She was there as a nominee in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in Herbert Ross's film "Gossip," in which she starred alongside Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, Daryl Hannah, and Shirley MacLaine.

Julia Roberts- 1990

In the same category in which Julia Roberts was nominated this year, Laura San Giacomo stood out among the contenders for Sex, Lies, and Videotape—the actress who would later partner Roberts in Pretty Woman. Despite the competition, it was 20-year-old Roberts who took home the award that night. She took the stage at the Beverly Hilton Hotel unprepared for such recognition, but that only added to the charm of the moment. The audience included true Hollywood greats: Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, who epitomized the star couple of the era; Audrey Hepburn, who received the Cecil B. DeMille Award 36 years after her iconic role in Roman Holiday; and Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy, who were honored for their brilliant performances in Driving Miss Daisy.Unlike her speech, Julia Roberts had planned her outfit with great care. She chose a men's suit by Armani, purchased from the designer's famous boutique on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and tailored on the spot. The actress did her own hair, and her makeup was done by a friend. At that time, the Golden Globes were not yet known for the glamour and strict dress code of today's editions, but it was this choice of suit that became an iconic moment. Today, years later, Roberts still keeps this suit in her wardrobe as a symbol of her own unadulterated elegance.

Julia Roberts' choice at the time was a sharp departure from the established norms. The Golden Globes at that time were dominated by lavish and extremely elegant dresses, and she stood out as one of the first to embrace minimalist aesthetics. It was this style that would soon mark the entire decade and be popularized worldwide by Giorgio Armani.Born in Piacenza, Italy, the designer had already made his mark in Hollywood—creating Diane Keaton's look for the 1978 Oscars and dressing Richard Gere in American Gigolo in 1980. The real change, however, came in the 1990s, when Armani began to dictate a new aesthetic on the red carpet from his VIP office in Los Angeles. He gradually replaced ribbons, ruffles, and exaggerated shapes with clean lines and understated elegance. One of the most memorable examples was the transformation of Jodie Foster, who, after appearing in a turquoise taffeta dress with ruffles at the 1989 Oscars, ended up on the worst-dressed lists—an event that became a symbol of the transition from the old to the new style.
 

Julia Roberts -1990

Julia Roberts was among the first stars to publicly show her confidence in Giorgio Armani's talent. Just two months after her success at the Golden Globes, she appeared at the Oscars ceremony once again wearing one of his outfits. Tom Cruise, Michelle Pfeiffer, Denzel Washington, and many others did the same. As a result, most of the stars this year abandoned the glitz of sequins and put their trust in Armani's clean lines. It was no surprise that the press unanimously declared the 1990 ceremony a true triumph for the Italian designer, who turned the red carpet into a fashion show of sorts.