A single white stripe ran down the front of the dress, splitting into a Y-shape at the bust to form a pair of straps.

[1] Widely praised by fashion critics, a poll by Debenhams, published in The Daily Telegraph, voted it the "third most iconic red carpet dress of all time".

Convinced they had the right dress for her, in the very week of the Oscars, Viera arranged for Roberts to come to a fitting at Valentino Beverly Hills.

[6] The black column gown with white piping had been slightly too small for Roberts but a tailor made some last-minute adjustments.

[7] Valentino himself has cited the moment Roberts collected her Oscar for Best Actress wearing his gown as the high point of his 45-year career.