Comedian Tiffany Haddish might have turned heads at the Oscars Sunday night for recycling an Alexander McQueen dress she’d already worn on a red carpet, but she wasn’t the only star who re-wore one of her favorite dresses.
Rita Moreno paid homage to the first Academy Awards she ever attended in 1962 by sporting the same gown she wore when she won best supporting actress for her role as Annie in West Side Story.
The 56-year-old black gown originally featured a high neckline and floor-length skirt made from obi, the sash typically worn with a traditional Japanese kimono, Moreno told E! on the red carpet Sunday evening. But for the 2018 award ceremony, Moreno updated the gown by changing the high neck to a strapless sweetheart bodice and adding a statement necklace.
Moreno first hinted that she would be bringing back the vintage dress on Twitter on Feb. 27. Her daughter, Fernanda Luisa Fisher, then confirmed the news to Vanity Fair on Saturday.
Wait till you see what I'm wearing!!! https://t.co/X9oem3aPdO
— Rita Moreno (@TheRitaMoreno) February 27, 2018
Just learned from Rita Moreno’s daughter that her mom will be wearing the same gown she wore to the #Oscars in 1962 pic.twitter.com/Sf6DdgC7jr
— Rebecca Keegan (@ThatRebecca) March 3, 2018
The gown not only serves as a tribute to the 86-year-old actress’s half-century in the film industry but also to the power of diversity. Moreno was the first Latin actress to win a Grammy, a Tony, and an Emmy, making her one of only 12 EGOTs. Her gown was also designed by Filipino designer Pitoy Moreno—popularly known as the Fashion Czar of Asia who’s said to have paved the way for young Filipino designers around the world. He died on Jan. 15.
Academy Awards watchers were big fans of the gown.
I love Rita Moreno so much, and even more for rewearing the dress she wore when she won for West Side Story in 1962 (!) pic.twitter.com/iUljJTDyv0
— Clara Jeffery (@ClaraJeffery) March 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/matwhi/status/970441538575548416
Society: Women have to dress their age.
— Tammy Faymous (@TheFaymeReport) March 5, 2018
Rita Moreno: pic.twitter.com/B4aBH96vTt
https://twitter.com/frankpallotta/status/970485164030775301
Rita Moreno wore this dress in 1962 when she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. What a woman, out of the sudden I want to watch The West Side Story❤️ #RitaMoreno pic.twitter.com/Nnj5mWPQGv
— simon (@SUPER_VENICE) March 4, 2018
Icon, 86-year-old Rita Moreno wears the same #Oscars dress 50 years apart and we are not worthy. pic.twitter.com/Roxiwxe9TX
— Lance Ulanoff (@LanceUlanoff) March 4, 2018
Wow. She’s 86 and Rita Moreno rocking the throwback dress from her #Oscars win more than a half-century ago. pic.twitter.com/qy6xX047w5
— S. Mitra Kalita (@mitrakalita) March 4, 2018
Legend and badass Rita Moreno, wearing the same dress she wore to the #Oscars in 1962. pic.twitter.com/d5V7Pbyqiu
— Devan Coggan (@devancoggan) March 4, 2018
Fans can now watch Moreno on Netflix’s TV series One Day At A Time or can throwback to the ‘60s by streaming West Side Story on HBO GO. You can also watch her accept her Oscar 56 years ago.