13 Celebrities Who Stunned In Hypnotizing “Optical Illusion” Red Carpet Looks

Red carpet attire is usually glamorous and meant to catch the eye. Designers often spend days and months collaborating with the celebrity they are dressing to create an outfit that stuns viewers.  Over the years, there have been some red-carpet looks that have dominated above others. Today we explore some of these more stunning and memorable ensembles that pushed the limits of fashion to the point of almost bending reality. Sounds intriguing? Scroll below to check out a fascinating collection of dresses and gowns worn on the red carpet that at times appear to be a sort of optical illusion. 

#1 Emma Watson's Levitating Dress

Image source: emmawatson Emma Watson appeared in a Loewe sky-blue dress in June, which looked like it was floating on her body. A true "wingardium leviosa" moment.

#2 Keira Knightley's Tiny Waist

Image source: Hendrik Ballhausen/picture alliance/Getty Images Nearly 10 years ago, Keira Knightley, who was Chanel's muse at the time, appeared in a waist-whittling getup while outside the label's runway show in Paris.

#3 Céline Dion Making Us Feel Dizzy

Image source: celinedion In 2019, Céline Dion stepped out in Paris for the Iris van Herpen show during Paris Couture Week wearing a long-sleeved see-through gown made of vertical, 3D-esque wavy red strands. The result made for an optical illusion which almost made us feel dizzy when staring too long at it.

#4 Fishy Emma Corrin

Image source: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Emma Corrin graced the 2022 London Film Festival red carpet Saturday in a goldfish in a bag. The bizarre gown was designed by JW Anderson, and first made an appearance at Anderson's spring 2023 show.

#5 Joey King's Hypnotizing Number

Image source: Rachel Murray/Getty Images In 2020, Joey King appeared at the Golden Globes red carpet in a mesmerizing black and white Iris Van Herpen dress that gave serious optical illusion vibes.

#6 Double Trouble With Elsa Hosk

Image source: Reinson Robertson Media Elsa Hosk showed up to a screening of La Passion De Dodin Bouffant in an otherwordly gown from Viktor & Rolf's spring/summer 2023 collection. The dress, titled "Late Stage Capitalism Waltz," was described as "an absurd take on a stereotypical couture ballgown for the 21st century."

#7 Björk's Infamous Swan

Image source:  Steve Granitz/Getty Images On March 25, 2001, Björk made history when she wore Marjan Pejoski's swan dress at the 73rd Academy Awards. The unique look was later voted one of the most iconic red-carpet dresses of all time.

#8 Jennifer Lawrence's 2D-3D Dress

Image source: Pablo Cuadra/Getty Images Jennifer Lawrence in this nude number at the "Sin Malos Rollos" Madrid, Spain premiere in June 2023. Her strapless Loewe dress looked 2D from the front and 3D from the side.

#9 Heidi Klum's Moving Water Design

Image source: Adore Luxy Last year, Heidi Klum appeared on the Avatar 2: The Wave of Water red carpet wearing a Lever Couture dress featuring sculptural sleeves and an asymmetrical bottom half that included excess tulle material cut into thick fringe strips and a thigh-high slit. The design gave the illusion that Heidi was in moving water.

#10 Free The Nipple With Kendall Jenner

Image source: davidkoma In May, Kendall Jenner was photographed on a yacht, wearing a little black dress cut to show her breasts. The dress in question was from David Koma's fall/winter 2023 collection, and was designed to rely on a mesh effect to create the optical illusion of a naked top.

#11 Emily Ratajkowski

Image source: Jacopo Raule/Getty Images Emily Ratajkowski attended the Loewe Womenswear Fall/Winter 2023-2024 show wearing a giant anthurium leaf, as part of Paris Fashion Week in March.

#12 Bella Hadid's Sprayed Dress

Image source:  Dezeen Parisian brand Coperni literally sprayed a dress onto Bella Hadid during its Spring/Summer 2023 show at Paris Fashion Week.

#13 Kim Kardashian's Naked People's Choice Award Dress

Image source: Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images Kim Kardashian wore a vintage 1996 Jean Paul Gaultier dress that seemingly merged the optical illusion trend with a classic naked dress design. The reality TV star graced the red carpet at the 2018 E! People's Choice Award.