Liza Minnelli’s Style Evolution, From Studio 54 to Today
Award-winning performer Liza Minnelli was born to be famous. The daughter of acclaimed actor and singer Judy Garland and director Vincent Minnelli, Minnelli has gone on to influence all facets of art, film, fashion, and stage. Starting her career off young, performing alongside her mother on the Judy Garland Show, she would go one to become the youngest Tony award-winning actor for Best Actress in a Musical for Flora and the Red Menace.
Leaping from stage to screen, Minnelli went on to appear along side Joel Gray in Cabaret, a role that would not only win her an Academy Award for Best Actress, but also cement her as a style icon. Chopping her hair to her now-iconic black pixie, Minnelli transformed into a star, showing up the 1972 Paris premiere of Cabaret in a ’70s-inspired white dress with matching turban and fur stole. Over the years she would go on to appear in major pictures like New York, New York and have her own TV special, Liza With a Z, which landed her an Emmy. Her personal and red carpet style would continue to grow over the years, as she danced her way through Studio 54 in silk jumpers, wore a custom Halston ensemble to her second wedding (the designer was a close friend of hers, and she served as one of his muses), and walked down the red carpet in outfits that could just as easily be on the stage. Here, a look back on some of the star’s most dazzling looks.
1963
17-year-old Minnelli with long hair and a floral button down shirt for the off-Broadway revival of Best Foot Forward in 1963.
1963
Minnelli appeared alongside her mother in 1963 on the Judy Garland Show, both in matching outfits. This pink sparkling ensemble shows that she isn’t afraid of color and sparkle.
1965
Performing live on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1965, Minnelli opted for classic black dress with her hair still long and black.
1966
Sporting her iconic pixie cut, she wore a simple turtleneck, and a skirt with tights in a London office in 1966.
1968
Minnelli wore a green dress embellished with white daisies to the 1968 Tony Awards.
1970
Minnelli gave bell bottoms a go during a performance on This Is Tom Jones in 1970.
1972
Minnelli sported a black and gold floral top and a shag haircut during an interview with David Frost in 1972.
1972
With Cabaret co-star Joel Gray in 1972, wearing a monochromatic white suite with a deep cut blouse that would be just as chic today.
1972
At the 1972 Paris premiere of Cabaret wearing a long white dress with matching stole and turban. Her bold lashes and red lips make the look all her own.
1972
Minnelli performed at the London Palladium in 1972, wearing an all white ensemble.
1973
Holding her Best Actress Academy Award in 1973 in a gold ensemble, a nod the gold Oscar she would receive that night.
1973
Minnelli attended the Palace De Versailles Ball in 1973 wearing a sparkly black suit and bowler hat, à la Sally Bowles.
1974
Minnelli pictured with designer and close friend, Halston, out and about in Manhattan in 1974.
1975
Minnelli spotted in a French airport wearing a fur coat in 1975.
1975
Celebrating her anniversary in 1975 in a dramatic white silk dress with bell sleeves and high collar.
1977
Attending a birthday party in 1977, the star dances in purple silk jumpsuit–the perfect party piece for the times.
1978
Minnelli and Halston having drinks together.
1979
Minnelli attended the Martha Graham Honors Halston event at Studio 54, wearing a purple jumpsuit with a plunging neckline in 1979.
1980
Opting for a more mature look, Minnelli mingled with fellow actor Goldie Hawn at the 1980 Academy Awards in high collared white blouse that cinched at the waist with a black bow.
1984
Attending a luncheon hosted by Dior, the actor wore a menswear-inspired ensemble with an embellished neck piece.
1987
Minnelli and her second husband, Jack Haley, Jr., attend the First Television Critics Circle Awards on April 11, 1987.
1988
Never shy from the drama, Minnelli wore a red silk cape over a black dress to the 60th Annual Academy Awards in 1988.
1988
Showing off her body at the 30th Annual Grammy Awards in 1988, Minnelli posed with actor Patrick Swayze in a form-fitting short black spaghetti strap dress.
1992
Taking inspiration from the minimalist fashion of the ‘90s, the actor wore a simple black gown with gold belt to the 64th Annual Academy Awards in 1992.
1993
Opting for a more exciting look, Minnelli wore a black and white draped suit to the 65th Annual Academy Awards in 1993.
1996
Channeling the ‘70s, Minnelli wore an all black look with deep cut top, wide legged pants, and a sequin blazer to the Tony Awards in 1996.
1996
In a high-low black silk dress, the actor attended the 50th Annual Tony Awards in 1996.
1997
Revisiting all white, Minnelli attended the Tony Awards in 1997 looking great in a white silk gown with matching white stole.
2000
At the Tony Awards in 2000, the actor wore a simple off-the-shoulder black silk dress.
2008
Minnelli showed she can still show some skin, wearing a menswear-inspiredm double-breasted jacket with a black lace bra on stage at the Tony Awards in 2008.
2009
Attending the amfAR Gala in 2009, the actor wore maroon sequined pants and a matching blouse.
2009
Minnelli kept it simple when attending the Tony Awards in 2009 in a draped black top.
2010
Always willing to take a risk, the actor wore a black military-inspired dress with a quirky cap to a charity event in 2010.
2015
Minnelli continues to take airport style seriously, as pictured here wearing a black cap and a red scarf over her simple ensemble.
2015
Minnelli wore a purple set with matching shawl in Los Angeles in 2015.
2022
In 2022, Minnelli brought her signature fashion sense to the Oscars, where the presented the award for Best Picture with Lady Gaga.
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