We let out an audible gasp when we found out that Zac Posen would be shutting down his namesake label. The New York fashion designer has been a staple on the red carpet for almost 20 years. Since his eponymous label launched in 2001, Posen has dressed many A-listers in his romantic, flattering and showstopping designs. (We’re talking Michelle Obama, Reese Witherspoon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rihanna, Katie Holmes and plenty of others.) And there was almost always at least one Zac Posen look at every award show, from the Oscars to the Emmys. Not to mention the Met Gala where the designer’s super structured creations stood out no matter the theme.
So now that the brand is no more, we decided the best way to pay homage was to look back at the designer’s many red carpet highlights.
The Best Zac Posen Red Carpet Moments
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Gwyneth Paltrow at the 2007 Oscars
There are lots of iconic fashion moments from the Oscars and Gwyneth Paltrow's vintage-inspired dress is one of them. The russet shade was unexpected for a red carpet gown. Then there was that sweetheart open back.
Image: Dan MacMedan/WireImage/Getty Images
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Coco Rocha at the 2010 Met Gala
Now this is the sort of dramatic train we expect at the Met Gala. The dress was a dreamy mash-up of clouds, waves and a watercolor painting.
Image: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images
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Christina Hendricks at the 2010 Emmy Awards
This dusty mauve gown was whimsical yet sultry — and that's not an easy combination to master. The open neckline showed off even more of Christina Hendricks' milky complexion, while the feathers added softness and texture.
Image: ANDREAS BRANCH/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
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Christina Ricci at the 2011 Met Gala
At the Met Gala celebrating Alexander McQueen, Zac Posen's high neck, darkly romantic gown nodded to the designer of the hour while still maintaining that Posen aesthetic.
Image: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
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Crystal Renn at the 2011 Opening Night Performance of Anna Bolena at The Metropolitan Opera
This glittering gown became the gold standard. The sweetheart neckline framed the model's incredible bone structure and the sequin material was cut to highlight her every curve.
Image: Gary Gershoff/WireImage/Getty Images
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Lena Dunham at the 2013 Golden Globe Awards
Lena Dunham and Posen made a great red carpet team. Lena wore this stunning aubergine gown to pick up her award for Girls. Everything was exquisite, from the seaming to the draping to the off-the-shoulder neckline.
Image: Jeff Vespa/WireImage/Getty Images
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Uma Thurman at the 2013 Met Gala
Jaws dropped when the actress hit the red carpet at the 2013 Met Gala in this gorgeous gown. Since the theme that year was "PUNK: Chaos to Couture," the pure glamour look really stood out among all the OTT outfits.
Image: Jennifer Graylock/FilmMagic/Getty Images
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Liu Wen at the 2014 Met Gala
Liu Wen's teal dress was pure red carpet magic thanks its pointed bodice and grand skirt.
Image: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
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Dita Von Teese at the 2014 Met Gala
There are gorgeous gowns and then there are looks that ooze glamour. This knockout dress is certainly the latter. We don't know how Dita Von Teese managed to walk up the iconic stairs, but the tailored lines were incredible. The red accents took it to the next level.
Image: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
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Rihanna at the 2014 Diamond Ball
It was easy to get distracted by that necklace, but not even the megawatt bling could deflect from Rihanna's rose gown. It was 360 degrees of perfection.
Image: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic/Getty Images
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Claire Danes at the 2016 Met Gala
Claire Danes' full-skirted gown was a fairy tale brought to life. And it fit right in with the "Manus × Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" theme because it lit up thanks to clever fiber optics. Dazzling indeed.
Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images
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Jenna Dewan at the 2017 London Premiere of Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Zac Posen gowns wowed us for their sheer drama as much as their incredible construction. This dress was an ethereal dream because it was hard and soft at the same time.
Image: Anthony Harvey/Getty Images
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Miley Cyrus at the 2018 Grammy Awards
Miley Cyrus is full of surprises, but no one ever expected this princess moment.
Image: Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images
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Ashley Graham at the 2019 Oscars
The designer sure knew how to cut a dramatic fishtail gown. His skill was evident in this figure-hugging black dress worn by Ashley Graham to this year's Oscars.
Image: Rick Rowell via Getty Images
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Katie Holmes at the 2019 Met Gala
No statement accessories could top the 3-D printed palm leaves accenting the shoulders of this sweeping gown.
Image: Karwai Tang/Getty Images
