Tilda Swinton: Red carpet maverick

This is the closest Tilda Swinton will ever come to looking like a '50s housewife. She attends the the "Burn After Reading" photocall part of the 65th Venice Film Festival at Palazzo del Casino on August 27, 2008 in Venice, Italy.

Either the lighting of this photo was bad or hopefully Tilda Swinton learned to tone down her makeup thereafter. She attends the Los Angeles premiere of "The Beach" on February 2, 2000.

Tilda Swinton channels her character, the White Witch, at the Royal Film Performance and world premiere of "The Chronicles Of Narnia" at the Royal Albert Hall on December 7, 2005 in London, England.

Tilda Swinton chooses tuxedo pants and a ruffled bib for another androgynous look. She attends the premiere for "The Man from London" at the Palais des Festivals during the 60th International Cannes Film Festival on May 23, 2007 in Cannes, France.

Another day, another metallic suit for Tilda Swinton, this time with rockin' platform heels. She arrives at the premiere for the film "Ocean's Thirteen" at the Palais des Festivals during the 60th International Cannes Film Festival on May 24, 2007 in Cannes, France.

Tilda Swinton's print dress recalls an Alexander Calder sculpture (with ruffles on top). She attends the Jaeger Le-Coultre award party on day 2 of the 64th Annual Venice Film Festival on August 30, 2007 in Venice, Italy.

Tilda Swinton opts for a re-imagined toga in black. She attends the premiere of "Michael Clayton" during the 33rd Deauville American Film Festival, on September 2, 2007 in Deauville, France.

A man could wear the same blazer but only a woman could get away with that much shine. Tilda Swinton arrives at the 14th annual Screen Actors Guild awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2008 in Los Angeles.

This is clothes as art, or maybe art as clothes. Tilda Swinton attends the premiere of "Julia" as part of the 58th Berlinale Film Festival at the Berlinale Palast on February 9, 2008 in Berlin, Germany.

Tilda Swinton wisely keeps the styling simple for this look. She arrives at the Orange British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House on February 10, 2008 in London, England.

Tilda Swinton's gown is intimidating but actually flattering, too. She was named the winner of the Oscar for a Performance By An Actress in a Supporting Role award for "Michael Clayton" during the 80th Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 24, 2008 in Hollywood.

While Tilda Swinton's makeup and hair fit the theme of the evening literally, her clothes just seemed old-fashioned. She arrives to the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2008 in New York City.

With its unusual silhouette, this is no standard white blouse and black skirt for Tilda Swinton (with Sean Connery). They attend a photocall at the Point Conference Centre on day four of the Edinburgh International Film Festival on June 21, 2008 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Tilda Swinton emphasizes her statuesque frame in this asymmetrical navy gown. She arrives for the opening ceremony of the International Film Festival Berlinale in Berlin, Germany on Feb. 11, 2010.

This is one of Tilda Swinton's most soft and feminine looks, but it still has the artistry that makes her unique. She arrives at the premiere of Paramount's "The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button" held at Mann's Village Theatre on Decemeber 8, 2008 in Westwood.

This bodice is so fussy but the pale color and simple styling give it a chance to succeed. Tilda Swinton attends the premiere for "The International" as part of the 59th Berlin Film Festival at the Berlinale Palast on February 5, 2009 in Berlin, Germany.

Tilda Swinton does a throwback in double-breasted velvet but the black nails are modern. She attends the presentation of European Shooting Stars as part of the 59th Berlin Film Festival at the Berlinale Palast on February 9, 2009 in Berlin, Germany.

With her pale complexion and furry hat, Tilda Swinton recalls the Russians. She attends the premiere for "Cheri" as part of the 59th Berlin Film Festival at the Berlinale Palast on February 10, 2009 in Berlin, Germany.

Tilda Swinton looked like no one else - in a good way - in draped, neutral separates at the 81st Annual Academy Awards held at Kodak Theatre on February 22, 2009 in Los Angeles.

Tilda Swinton makes a departure from her typically neutral color base with this brightly colored, sequined gown (with sheer pockets!) at the Cesar Film Awards 2009 at the Theatre du Chatelet on February 27, 2009 in Paris, France.

A clean, bias-cut skirt and a consistent color make the multiple layers on the top work. Tilda Swinton attends the premiere of "Up" at the Palais De Festival during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May 13, 2009 in Cannes, France.

Tilda Swinton opts for muted colors, sheen and tailored draping at the 66th Venice Film Festival on September 4, 2009 in Venice, Italy.

Tilda Swinton's leaner suit is more feminine. Plus, check out the heels on those shoes! She arrives at the "Io Sono L'Amore - I Am Love" screening during the Toronto International Film Festival held at the Scotiabank Theatre on September 11, 2009 in Toronto, Canada.

Tilda Swinton occasionally favors an androgynous look, capped off with a shaved do. She attends The 2009 New Yorker Festival Party hosted by David Remnick at The Cooper Square Hotel on October 17, 2009 in New York City.