Crazy Rich Asians introduced Michelle Yeoh to a new generation of fans, but the actress has been hard at work since the ‘80s. The Malaysian-born actress started her career in martial arts films (where she did her own stunts, by the way) before making the move to Hollywood with a major role in the 1997 James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies. From Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to Star Trek: Discovery, Yeoh has been on both the big and small screen for decades, working the red carpet the whole time. Since her role in Crazy Rich Asians, though, Yeoh has seemingly found her style niche, and it can be summed up with just two words: royal glamour. The actress loves gowns fit for a queen, sparkling, off-the-shoulder pieces, often with an attached cape detail.
For the 2023 Oscars, Yeoh made history in a stunning Dior couture gown—she became the first Asian woman to win the award for Best Actress for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once. Yeoh is also set to appear in the Disney+ series American Born Chinese alongside Ben Wang, Stephanie Hsu, and Ke Huy Quan. Let’s take a look back at over 20 years of red carpets from the actress.
2023: Cannes Film Festival
Yeoh wore a strapless black Balenciaga column dress to the Kering Women in Motion Award at the Cannes Film Festival. She paired the eye-catching look with dramatic white gloves and Boucheron jewelry.
2023: Cannes Film Festival
Attending the premiere of Firebrand at Cannes, the actress wore a bold green custom Balenciaga couture look. Yeoh accessorized the ensemble with black gloves and heels and dazzling Boucheron jewelry.
2023: Academy Awards
Yeoh made history as the first Asian woman to win Best Actress at the Academy Awards for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once. For the occasion, the actress wore a heavenly Dior couture gown.
2023: Film Independent Spirit Awards
Embracing a bit of whimsy, Yeoh arrived to the Film Independent Spirit Awards in a midnight blue velvet midi dress decorated with scupltural blue ruffles.
2023: Screen Actors Guild Awards
Yeoh took home the award for Female Actor in a Leading Role wearing a strapless black column dress covered in yellow sequined fringe from the Schiaparelli spring 2023 haute couture collection.
2023: Critics’ Circle Film Awards
To contrast the all-black, sheer Alexander McQueen spring 2023 trench coat dress, Yeoh matched her jade green earrings to her nails.
2023: Critics Choice Awards
Yeoh dialed up the drama in a black strapless Caroline Herrera column dress with a fuchsia cape from the brand’s pre-fall 2023 collection.
2023: Golden Globes
After being nominated for traveling the multiverse in Everything Everywhere All At Once, Yeoh’s gown had enough sparkle to represent all the stars of this universe and all the others.
2023: Palm Springs Film Festival
A sculptural dress befitting a monumental career, Yeoh wore Schiaparelli to pick up an award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January, 2023.
2023: Louis Vuitton and W Magazine’s Awards Season Dinner
At a W Magazine awards season party in Los Angeles, Yeoh opted for a laidback look made flashy by a gold Louis Vuitton coat.
2022: Academy Museum Gala
At the 2nd annual Academy Museum Gala in LA, Yeoh kept it library chic.
2022: Balenciaga Couture Show After-Party
Yeoh stepped out of her comfort zone in a crinkled satin Balenciaga dress at a party celebrating the brand’s couture show in Paris.
2022: Met Gala
This Prabal Gurung caped, off-the-shoulder gown was made of completely upcycled material.
2021: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Premiere
Yeoh paired a simple PYE button down with a black lace Shiatzy Chen maxi skirt, which she accessorized with a layered chain belt, Richard Mille watch, and Roger Vivier clutch.
2019: Last Christmas Premiere
Wearing a white lace Elie Saab resort 2019 dress with a matching blazer, Yeoh attended the premiere for Last Christmas in October 2019.
2019: Academy Awards
Yeoh brought the glamour to the 91st annual Academy Awards with this Elie Saab spring 2019 haute couture gown, which she accessorized with Chopard jewels.
2019: BAFTAs
The only thing Yeoh loves more than an off-the-shoulder silhouette is sparkles, which is why this Elie Saab fall 2017 haute couture dress was the perfect choice for the actress.
2019: SAG Awards
Yet again, Yeoh tapped Elie Saab to dress her for a red carpet, this time choosing a feather-covered, embellished gown from the designer’s spring 2018 haute couture collection.
2019: Critics’ Choice Awards
Yeoh wore a one-shoulder red, Marchesa gown with a cape detail and floral appliqué to the 2019 Critics’ Choice Awards.
2018: Crazy Rich Asians Premiere
For the premiere of Crazy Rich Asians, Yeoh paired a tiered Armani Prive fall 2017 dress with a unique, forehead-skimming updo.
2017: Star Trek: Discovery Premiere
Yeoh kept her look simple for the Star Trek: Discovery premiere, opting to wear a black suit set with a peplum jacket.
2005: Memoirs of a Geisha Premiere
For the premiere of the 2005 film, Memoirs of a Geisha, Yeoh wore a strapless, royal blue gown.
2001: Academy Awards
This black and gold, zebra print dress was quite the showstopper at the 2001 Oscars.
1997: Tomorrow Never Dies Premiere
Apparently, Yeoh always had a thing for sparkle. Take this silver, embellished dress she wore to the Tomorrow Never Dies premiere in 1997.
1996: Supercop Premiere
Yeoh, who at the time was going by Michelle Khan, posed with her Supercop costar, Jackie Chan, in a sparkly purple mini dress at the movie’s premiere.