When Barbra Streisand accepted the Best Actress Oscar in 1969, she did so in a gown that would become a landmark in the history of intimate apparel’s public debut. Designed by Arnold Scaasi—a couturier who, like the corsetieres of old, understood the power of structure and reveal—the ensemble featured a black sheer bodice encrusted with sequins, offering a daring glimpse of skin beneath. At a time when lingerie was still largely hidden, Streisand’s choice mirrored the liberation movements of the era, echoing the shift from restrictive foundation garments to the freer silhouettes of the late 1960s. Scaasi, in his 2004 memoir “Women I Have Dressed (And Undressed),” noted Streisand’s perfectionism—a trait shared by the finest corset makers, who tailored each stitch to the wearer’s form.
By 1976, Streisand toyed with menswear at the premiere of “A Star Is Born,” a nod to the androgynous tailoring that had long influenced lingerie design, from the 1920s’ flat-chested flapper look to the modern bralette. Her 1984 Dior coat for “Yentl” offered a study in concealment, its high neckline and netting evoking the modesty of Victorian-era chemises. And at the 2018 Golden Globes, her sleek Donna Karan suit—a brand that, like Warner’s and Maidenform, revolutionized ready-to-wear comfort—proved that even understated elegance can hint at the layers beneath. As Streisand prepares to receive the Honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes 2026, we celebrate a career that has never been afraid to undress the boundaries of fashion.
Originally reported by WWD