1951
MARILYN MONROE
For her only appearance at an Academy Awards ceremony, Monroe borrowed a gown seen months earlier on actor Valentina Cortese. Wisps of tulle wrapped around Monroe’s curves like spun candy. Backstage, she was distraught to find her outfit was tearing and had to be hastily sewn into her dress before dashing onto the stage to present the award for Best Sound Recording.
1954
AUDREY HEPBURN
Performing on Broadway on the evening of the awards, Audrey Hepburn was rushed across town with a police escort just in time to accept the Oscar for Best Actress. The fit-and-flare shape and open back of her deceptively simple lace