Halle Berry’s Oscars Dresses Through the Years: Oscar-winning in Elie Saab, 2023’s Tamara Ralph Look and More

Halle Berry is one of the Academy Awards mainstays, stepping onto the red carpet for years dating back to the mid-’90s.

In 2002, the actress became the first — and thus far only — Black woman to win the Academy Award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for her work in the film “Monster’s Ball.” Berry won the Oscar in style, wearing one of the awards show’s most iconic dresses to date.

Here, WWD takes a walk down memory lane’s red carpet and revisits each of Berry’s Oscars dresses.

1996

In 1996, Berry attended the Academy Awards wearing a vibrant, soft purple, floor-length dress with contrasting fabric elements. The gown featured a velvety fabric juxtaposed by a silky satin. Berry also wore a long scarf to go along with the look.

2001

Berry continued the purple color motif when she attended the 2001 Academy Awards. The actress wore a shimmering soft purple halter dress with cowl neckline and ornate white design at the waist. Berry accessorized her look with statement earrings.

2002

At the 2002 Academy Awards, Berry made history, becoming the first Black woman to win the Oscar for best performance by an actress in a leading role for her work in “Monster’s Ball.” For the occasion, Berry wore an Elie Saab-designed dress with a sheer bodice featuring ornate, botanical-inspired embroidery. The skirt of Berry’s dress featured a dramatic, voluminous look with a drop waist.

2003

In 2003, to present the Oscar for best actor, Berry wore a one-shoulder gold dress with shimmering detailing throughout and a partly tulle skirt. The gown featured a formfitting silhouette and elements of intricate embroidery.

2005

Berry continued the one-shoulder strap motif when she attended the Academy Awards in 2005. The actress wore a silky gown with contrasting fabric and a semi-ruched bodice. The dress also included shimmering details at the waist.

2009

While presenting at the 2009 Academy Awards with fellow past best actress winners, Berry wore a black strapless gown with a mermaid silhouette. The dress featured an asymmetrical neckline and shimmering gold elements on the bodice and throughout the black tulle fabric.

2011

Berry went strapless again at the 2011 Academy Awards, wearing a gown courtesy of Marchesa. The voluminous dress featured a champagne hue, with a fitted bodice and cinched waist that transitioned into a flowing skirt with a short train.

2013

At the 2013 Academy Awards, Berry went modern and geometric, wearing a gown courtesy of Atelier Versace. The long-sleeve dress featured vertical stripes in contrasting shades of black and shimmering silver. The gown also featured sharp shoulders and a plunging neckline.

2017

Berry returned to Atelier Versace with her wardrobe choice for the 2017 Academy Awards. The actress wore a floor-length gown with an asymmetrical neckline and one-shoulder strap. The dress included contrasting shades of black and silver with a fringed train and lower skirt with a metallic edge.

2021

Berry went with a custom design courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana for the 2021 Academy Awards. The actress’ strapless dress was made of silk chiffon and featured a plunging sweetheart neckline. A large draped bow was featured at the waist, providing contrast between the fitted bodice and flowing skirt.

2023

For her most recent appearance on the Academy Awards red carpet, Berry opted for a gown with a thigh-high slit courtesy of Tamara Ralph. The sleeveless dress featured a flowing skirt and a keyhole cutout on the bodice. Shimmering gold rosettes accented the thigh-high slit and neckline of the look.