Céline Dion has brought back one of her most famous fashion moments with a new Chanel Haute Couture gown inspired by the dress she wore to the 1997 Oscars. The singer wore the custom design during her Paris residency on Wednesday, 14 October, giving her original red-carpet look a fresh update nearly 30 years later.
The sparkling gown was created by Chanel designer Matthieu Blazy and took more than 1,380 hours to make. With thousands of jewels and beads covering the dress, Dion's latest stage outfit shows how a classic look can feel new again.
Chanel Reworks Dion's 1997 Oscars Dress
Dion's original Chanel gown made headlines at the 1997 Academy Awards, where she performed during the ceremony. She sang her hit song 'Because You Loved Me' and a cover of Barbra Streisand's 'I Finally Found Someone' while wearing a silver, low-cut dress and a matching comet-style necklace designed by Karl Lagerfeld.
Nearly three decades later, Chanel revisited the Spring/Summer 1997 Haute Couture design for Dion's Paris concert. Blazy gave the new gown a sweetheart neckline and a more structured shape while keeping the silver sparkle that made the original look stand out.
The updated dress was made in Chanel's Paris workshops at 31 Rue Cambon. Embroidered muslin covered a padded, corseted bustier, while raffia added texture around the neckline. The final design also featured a silver-to-deep-blue effect that echoed the glamour of Dion's original outfit.
Thousands of Jewels Bring the Gown to Life
The work behind the dress makes it stand out beyond its Oscar connection. According to Vogue, the gown features 6,000 jewels and 5,000 beads, and it took more than 1,380 hours to create.
Atelier Montex worked on the sparkling details, using glass-crystal rhinestones, tiny seed beads and glass beads to create a starry effect across the fabric. The pieces were added by hand, giving the gown its shine under the stage lights. Massaro-made black satin pumps completed the outfit.
Dion also wore a new version of the Chanel Comète necklace, which paid tribute to the jewellery from her 1997 appearance. The necklace was made of platinum and 18-karat white gold, with 1,080 diamonds totalling more than 67 carats.
A Closer Look at the Couture Details
The gown combines several types of handwork, from its embroidered base to the jewels set across the fabric. Its mix of silver and deep blue gives the dress a starry look, while the fitted shape keeps the focus on Dion's stage presence.
The design also shows how Chanel's couture team can revisit a past collection without simply copying it. By changing the shape and adding new details, the team created a dress that connects Dion's latest performance to a major moment in her fashion history.
The Comète necklace adds another link to the original outfit. Its diamond-covered design recalls the jewellery Dion wore in 1997 while giving the new look its own statement piece.
Céline Dion in custom Chanel Haute Couture recreating their 1997 Oscars dress and jewelry look for her Paris residency!🔥
— LEGENDARY LADE! 🇳🇬 (@LegendaryLade) October 15, 2026
Designed by Matthieu Blazy. pic.twitter.com/3Pd2l3eeQ0
Céline Dion's Paris Residency Returns
The Chanel look arrived during Dion's Paris residency, which began in September 2026. The shows mark her return to a full run of live performances after she revealed in 2022 that she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological condition that affects movement and can cause muscle spasms.
Throughout the residency, Dion has worn custom designs from major fashion houses, including Dior and Givenchy. Her stage outfits have become another talking point alongside her return to live music, with each look bringing a different style to the performances.
The singer is set to resume her shows in May 2027. For now, her Chanel gown offers a reminder of the lasting impact of her 1997 Oscars appearance and how fashion houses can revisit their history while creating something new.
