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Take a Trip Down Memory Lane with These Iconic ’90s Oscar Party Photos

Mar 16, 2026

05:15 A.M.

The Oscars have always been Hollywood’s biggest night, but the celebrations did not end when the awards were handed out. In the 1990s, the Vanity Fair Oscar Party became one of the most exciting places to see celebrities relax, mingle, and showcase unforgettable fashion moments.

The Oscars is one of Hollywood’s most prestigious nights, when the film industry’s biggest stars gather in one place to celebrate the year’s most outstanding achievements.

Alongside the ceremony, Vanity Fair hosts its famous Oscar Party, where actors, filmmakers, and other guests mingle, celebrate the night’s winners, and continue the festivities long after the final award is presented.

The 1990s marked an especially memorable era for the event. Fashion was undergoing rapid changes during the decade, from high-end designer looks to bold retail trends that influenced red carpet style. The result was a red carpet atmosphere filled with creativity and individuality.

Unlike today’s carefully planned celebrity appearances, many stars in the 1990s did not regularly work with professional stylists. Instead, they often selected their own outfits, which led to a wider variety of styles and more spontaneous fashion choices. Even at the Academy Awards and the parties that followed, the mood felt playful and experimental.

Take a look back at some of the vibrant moments from the early years of the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, starting in 1994.

1994–1995

A young Leonardo DiCaprio arrives at Morton's Restaurant in West Hollywood, California to attend the 1994 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

Prince suited up in a white cut-out jumpsuit for the first Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Morton's Restaurant in West Hollywood, California, in 1994.

Michael J. Fox dressed in all black to attend the Second Annual Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 27, 1995 at Morton's Restaurant in West Hollywood, California.

Uma Thurman, dressed in a silver gown, holds her dad Robert Thurman's hand as they attend the 1995 Vanity Fair Oscar party.

1996–1997

Halle Berry wears shades of lilac at the Vanity Fair After Party of the 68th Academy Awards, Beverly Hill on March 25, 1996.

Mel Gibson holds up his Oscar trophies during the 1996 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Morton's Restaurant in West Hollywood, California.

Salma Hayek looking regal in a white sequinned dress and matching purse and tiara at the 1997 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

Reese Witherspoon waves at onlookers as she arrives at the Fourth Annual Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Morton's Restaurant in West Hollywood, California, in 1997.

1998–1999

Brad Pitt wears orange-tinted shades and an all-black outfit at the Fifth Annual Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Morton's restaurant in Los Angeles, California on March 23, 1998.

Charlize Theron in an all-silver look to attend the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 1998.

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Janet Jackson shows off her toned abs in an all-black outfit at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 1999.

Gwyneth Paltrow holding on to her Oscar trophy at the 1999 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

The 1990s were a defining period for the Vanity Fair Oscar Party. The event grew from a gathering connected to the Academy Awards into one of the most recognizable celebrations in Hollywood.

Today, these photographs serve as a reminder of a vibrant era in Hollywood history. From bold fashion to candid moments between stars, the images capture the excitement and glamour of Oscar night in the 1990s.