Cate Blanchett Wows in Louis Vuitton at the Tony Awards and Revisits Her Paradise Road Debut

Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates from Your Next Shoes. This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more details.

Remember the Tony Awards? If you don’t, we can’t blame you. While it’s easy to overlook the annual theater awards ceremony in favor of other, more lavish award ceremonies—like the Grammys, Oscars, or MTV Movie Awards—the Tony Awards do, on occasion, present us with some great looks.

Cate Blanchett’s Stunning Look at the 70th Annual Tony Awards

Take, for example, Paradise Road actress Cate Blanchett’s ensemble in June 2016 at the 70th Annual Tony Awards held to recognize achievement in Broadway productions during the 2015–16 season.

Cate Blanchett sweeps her hair back at the 2016 Tony Awards held June 12 at the Beacon Theatre in New York CityCate Blanchett sweeps her hair back at the 2016 Tony Awards held on June 12, 2016, at the Beacon Theatre in New York City (Credit: Joseph Marzullo / Ivan Nikolov / WENN)

While her stunning appearance at the Tony Awards drew attention, Cate Blanchett’s journey to stardom began long before she graced the red carpet.

A Glimpse into Cate Blanchett’s Early Career

Almost 20 years earlier, the Australian actress made her feature film debut in the 1997 film Paradise Road, where she played a supporting role as an Australian nurse captured by the Japanese Army during World War II.

Bruce Beresford directed the film, which also starred Glenn Close and Frances McDormand. Despite a budget of $19 million, it was a box office failure and received mixed reviews from critics.

Cate Blanchett as Susan Macarthy, Glenn Close as Adrienne Pargiter, and Jennifer Ehle as Rosemary Leighton-Jones in the water after their boat is bombed by Japanese fighter planes in Paradise RoadCate Blanchett as Susan Macarthy, Glenn Close as Adrienne Pargiter, and Jennifer Ehle as Rosemary Leighton-Jones in the water after their boat is bombed by Japanese fighter planes in Paradise Road (Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Paradise Road: A Tale of Resilience and Survival

In the film, which is based on real events, a group of women from different countries and backgrounds is imprisoned in a Japanese internment camp during World War II.

Despite resistance from their guards, one of the prisoners, Adrienne Pargiter (Glenn Close), a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, organizes a vocal band among her fellow inmates to cope with the harsh conditions of the camp and maintain their spirits. The film explores the themes of resilience and the power of music to bring people together in the face of adversity.

The film’s music was based on real score transcripts from World War II internment camps that still exist.

Cate Blanchett as Australian nurse Susan Macarthy in the 1997 Australian war film Paradise RoadCate Blanchett as Australian nurse Susan Macarthy in the 1997 Australian war film Paradise Road (Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

When the film was released in the United States on April 11, 1997, Cate Blanchett was 27. She celebrated her 28th birthday on May 14, 1997.

Paradise Road includes an ensemble cast of accomplished actors, including Cate Blanchett, who has won two Academy Awards, and Frances McDormand, who has won four Academy Awards. Additionally, the cast includes Pauline Collins, who was nominated for an Oscar for her role in the film Shirley Valentine, and Glenn Close, who has been nominated for eight Academy Awards.

Cate Blanchett’s Red Carpet Style: Louis Vuitton Elegance

Cate Blanchett stuns on the red carpet in an intricate patchwork dress from Louis VuittonCate Blanchett stuns on the red carpet in an intricate patchwork dress from Louis Vuitton (Credit: Joseph Marzullo / Ivan Nikolov / WENN)

As she stepped onto the red carpet at the Beacon Theatre, the ‘Carol’ star dazzled in a metallic, embellished creation. Cate’s striking Louis Vuitton patchwork dress artfully combined materials like cotton, leather, and sequins.

Cate Blanchett wears a mixed media dress from Louis Vuitton's Fall 2016 collection to the 2016 Tony AwardsCate Blanchett wears a mixed-media dress from Louis Vuitton’s Fall 2016 collection to the 2016 Tony Awards (Credit: Joseph Marzullo / Ivan Nikolov / WENN)

The edgy dress is from Louis Vuitton’s Fall 2016 collection and was designed by Nicolas Ghesquière.

Cate Blanchett wears an interesting Louis Vuitton dress on the red carpetCate Blanchett wears an interesting Louis Vuitton dress on the red carpet (Credit: Joseph Marzullo / Ivan Nikolov / WENN)

The Lord of the Rings actress accessorized the bold look with chandelier-style earrings and dark, smoky eye makeup.

Louis Vuitton Fall 2016 dressLouis Vuitton Fall 2016 dress

Louis Vuitton’s ‘Eyeline’ Pumps: The Perfect Finishing Touch

Cate kept her shoes elegant and simple. She opted for a pair of Louis Vuitton’s black “Eyeline” pumps, which feature a thin gold detail on the heel.

Cate Blanchett's feet in black Louis Vuitton pumpsCate Blanchett’s feet in black Louis Vuitton pumps

With a dress so detailed and eccentric, it was an excellent choice to tone down the footwear and accessories. The “Eyeline” pumps are available in various colors, allowing you to choose your preferred hue.

Louis Vuitton "Eyeline" Pumps in BlackLouis Vuitton “Eyeline” Pumps in Black, $825

Louis Vuitton "Eyeline" Pump in RougeLouis Vuitton “Eyeline” Pump in Rouge, $855

Louis Vuitton "Eyeline" Pump in NudeLouis Vuitton “Eyeline” Pump in Nude, $855

Louis Vuitton "Eyeline" Pump in NoirLouis Vuitton “Eyeline” Pump in Noir, $855

Louis Vuitton "Eyeline" Pump in BordeauxLouis Vuitton “Eyeline” Pump in Bordeaux, $855

Louis Vuitton "Eyeline" Pump in IndigoLouis Vuitton “Eyeline” Pump in Indigo, $855

Louis Vuitton "Eyeline" Pump in FlamboiseLouis Vuitton “Eyeline” Pump in Flamboise, $855

Louis Vuitton "Eyeline" Pump in FlamingoLouis Vuitton “Eyeline” Pump in Flamingo, $855