The star's shimmery sheer slip dress marked a famous first in her red carpet fashion history.

L'HISTOIRE explores fashion history moments you should know, from what actors wore on a red carpet to celebrities who made cameos on the runway. Some are unsung, and some are better known. Each is part of the fabric of today&rsquo;s fashion world, be it barrier breakers or culture makers.
<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/jennifer-lopez-ex-boyfriend-relationship-timeline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jennifer Lopez's</a> ability to make jaws drop with her red carpet fashion is no secret: we know you're already envisioning her iconic jungle green Versace gown and her silver chainmail halter top. But one of the more underrated yet astounding looks she graced us with was her <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/halston-designer-facts-70s-studio-54" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Halston</a> look for the 1998 CFDA Awards. Lopez donned a dark, sheer, slinky slip gown by the label for the event, because when attending an event celebrating the industry, you go all out.
Accompanying the dress, the actress and singer sported a sleek long bob and a bold red lipstick, bringing a moody, sultry glamour to the already sensational look. In keeping with '<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/iconic-90s-supermodels-most-beautiful-models" target="_blank" rel="noopener">90s</a> trends, Lopez sported <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/these-celebrities-are-bringing-back-skinny-brows" target="_blank" rel="noopener">razor-thin brows</a> and pared-back makeup, letting her natural features take the spotlight.&nbsp;

Esther Canadas seen in Halston in 1998. Photos: Getty.

As a beloved NYC-based label, Halston was known for its ability to dress models, singers, and movie stars in silk gowns that made them look even more ethereal than they already were: the designer was said to use silk draping instead of muslin on his prototypes to transform a woman into a goddess.
Though Roy Halston himself stopped designing clothes for his eponymous label in the mid-'80s, the brand's core philosophy of grace and femininity lived on. Randolph Duke took over as a lead designer in the mid-'90s and relaunched seasonal collections in 1997. Lopez's buzzy naked dress moment marked a major milestone in the relaunch and led to a mini Halston Renaissance in the late '90s. Featuring a wide variety of dazzling gowns and ultra-chic creations, Halston became a fixture of A-list wardrobes yet again and was worn by figures ranging from Minnie Driver to <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/mariah-carey-best-holiday-looks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mariah Carey</a>.
This gown was one of Lopez's first occasions that marked her starhood on the red carpet. This particular look was responsible for paving the way for Lopez to flaunt many more daringly sheer gowns and ultimately find her bombshell red carpet style later in life. Though Lopez has stunned in a variety of looks over the years, ranging from sculptural and sophisticated to revealing and risqu&eacute;, one style she's returned to time and time again is the head-turning naked dress. Between the sheer silver <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/schiaparelli-paris-couture-week-fall-winter-2025-whale-tail-thong-revival-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Schiaparelli</a> gown she wore to the Met Gala in 2024 to her barely-there crystalline bodysuits that she's worn on stage, Lopez has shown that there's plenty of glamour to be found in head-turning, sultry looks.&nbsp;

Jennifer Lopez in Halston seen at the CFDA Awards in 1998. Photo: Getty.

L'HISTOIRE: Jennifer Lopez's Sultry Naked Slip Dress at the 1998 CFDA Awards

The Art Newspaper US Edition & L’Officiel USA subscription

L'OFFICIEL USA December/January 2026  - Kelly Rowland Cover

L'OFFICIEL USA December/January 2026  - Zoey Deutch Cover

L'OFFICIEL USA December/January 2026  - Michelle Yeoh Cover

L'OFFICIEL USA November 2025 - Florence Welch Cover 

L'OFFICIEL HOMMES USA October 2025 - Jeremy Strong

L'OFFICIEL HOMMES USA October 2025 - Colman Domingo Cover

L'OFFICIEL USA September 2025 - Jessica Chastain Cover

L'OFFICIEL USA July/August  2025 - Jackson Wang Cover

L'HISTOIRE: Jennifer Lopez's Sultry Naked Slip Dress at the 1998 CFDA Awards

Tags

Related Articles

Fashion

L'HISTOIRE: Lady Gaga’s Infamous Meat Dress at the 2010 VMAs

Fashion

L'HISTOIRE: Courteney Cox's Gilded Mosaic Moment at the 1997 Golden Globes

Fashion

L'HISTOIRE: Britney Spears' Iconic Versace 'Butterfly Dress'

Recommended posts for you

Fashion Week

L'HISTOIRE: Jennifer Lopez's Sultry Naked Slip Dress at the 1998 CFDA Awards

Travel & Living

Inside the Revival of the Vintage Ashtray

Pop culture

Where Is The Cast Of 'Love Island USA' Season 6 Now?

Shopping

For a Extra Layer This Winter, Add a Cape To Complete the Look

Travel & Living

Sugar, Spice, And Everything Nice: The Best Bakeries In NYC For Holiday Desserts

Pop culture

Sydney Sweeney Brings Old Hollywood Drama to 'The Housemaid' Premiere

Fashion

Inside God’s True Cashmere, the Luxury Brand Rooted in Softness and Intention

Film & TV

Wait, What's 'Heated Rivalry,' And Why Is The Internet Obsessed With It?