Halle Berry's 15 Most Iconic Red Carpet Looks

Both her acting and style have made history.

<p>Getty Images</p>

Getty Images

Ever since debuting in Spike Lee's Jungle Fever, actress Halle Berry has dominated the red carpet for three decades. Her sensual style and glamorous take on red carpet dressing have made her one to watch at every major award show.

With a penchant for labels like Versace and Elie Saab, Berry knows exactly what type of silhouettes and styles go with her movie star look. Thigh-high slits, one-shoulder Grecian gowns, and dazzling embellishments are all in that mix, making for some of the most iconic red carpet moments in history. Who can forget the night she became the first Black woman to win an Oscar wearing a sheer bodice dress by Elie Saab?

Throughout each era of her career, Berry's style has evolved with her, taking her from whale tails in the early 2000s to glamorous minimalism by the 2020s. Ahead, take a look at some of Halle Berry's most iconic red carpet moments.

Halle Berry in Valentino in 1996 Academy Awards

<p>Kevin Mazur/WireImage</p>

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Ever the bold dresser, Halle Berry opted for a purple velvet-and-satin Valentino gown for the 1996 Academy Awards. The gown was accessorized by a backward neck scarf and matching frosty diamond jewelry.

Halle Berry at the 2000 MTV Movie Awards

<p>Steve Granitz/WireImage</p>

Steve Granitz/WireImage

The Y2K era was the time to rock a whale-tail moment. And Berry took advantage of the trend for the 2000 MTV Movie Awards via a beaded fringe crop top and mini skirt set. The equally beaded bracelets and rimless sunglasses were just the right accessories for the look.

Halle Berry in Elie Saab at the 2002 Academy Awards

<p>Steve Granitz/WireImage</p>

Steve Granitz/WireImage

if you're going to win an Oscar, we suggest going for a va-va-voom gown like Berry did in 2002. She opted for a sheer bodice Elie Saab gown that opened into a burgundy satin skirt and train. The gown was just enough for the actress, who chose minimal jewelry for the look.

Halle Berry in Versace at the 2005 Academy Awards

<p>Vince Bucci/Getty Images</p>

Vince Bucci/Getty Images

A Grecian-shaped gown is exactly the type of dress that matches Berry's Hollywood glam aesthetic. The actress opted for a champagne-colored Versace one-shoulder number, paired with a studded bracelet and drop earrings.

Halle Berry in Versace at the 2005 Golden Globes

<p>Steve Granitz/WireImage</p>

Steve Granitz/WireImage

Red carpet fashion can sometimes get quite expected. But Berry is known just out to switch things up. At the 2005 Golden Globes, the actress wore a Versace dress that was part strapless-part sleeveless. The ruffled details and beige shade made an otherwise ultra glam dress look more casual for a laid-back red carpet moment.

Halle Berry wears Nina Ricci at the 2011 Golden Globes

<p>George Pimentel/WireImage</p>

George Pimentel/WireImage

The lingerie red carpet trend never goes out of style. Berry opted to tap into it with a black Nina Ricci dress that included a bustier-like bodice and mini hemline. A sheer black train made the otherwise cocktail-like dress a standout.

Halle Berry in Marchesa at the 2011 Academy Awards

<p>Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images</p>

Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images

It's always a good idea to wear tulle and shimmer at the Academy Awards. A Marchesa champagne-colored column strapless dress adorned by a layer of tulle was the right choice for Berry.

Halle Berry in Vivienne Westwood at the 2013 NAACP Image Awards

<p>Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic</p>

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

While Berry is known for her glamorous, maximalist takes on red carpet fashion, she opted for a more tamed look for the 2013 NCAAP Image Awards. A black strapless dress featuring a draped gold neckline made Berry look statuesque.

Halle Berry in Elie Saab at the 2014 Primetime Emmy Awards

<p>Jason Merritt/Getty Images</p>

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

A relaxed take on red carpet dressing, Berry wore a ruched jersey halter gown at the 2014 Emmy Awards. A jeweled waistband was the right amount of glam for an otherwise casual dress.

Halle Berry in Elie Saab at the 2014 Huading Film Awards

<p>Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic</p>

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Even when Berry chooses a simple black dress, there's nothing boring about it. In 2014, she opted for a one-shoulder satin and lace Elie Saab number with pink floral embellishment.

Halle Berry in Versace at the 2017 Academy Awards

<p>Angela Weiss/Getty Images</p>

Angela Weiss/Getty Images

Channeling the '70s is always a good idea. At the 2017 Academy Awards, Berry wore a Versace dress worthy of Studio 54. Black-and-blue shimmery draped details pushed an otherwise classic gold gown into edgy territory.

Halle Berry in Zuhair Murad at the 2017 TIFF "Kings" premiere

<p>Michael Tran/Getty Images</p>

Michael Tran/Getty Images

A red carpet sometimes calls for a jumpsuit. But that doesn't mean glam needs to go out the door. Berry wore a Zuhair Murad jumpsuit with a transparent embellished long-sleeved top. A plunging V-neck neckline added just the right amount of sexiness to the look.

Halle Berry in Versace at the 2017 Met Gala

<p>Patrick McMullan/Getty Images</p>

Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

For the 2017 Met Gala, the actress opted for a black Versace gown. But it's not your regular little black dress. Drawing inspiration from the night's honoree, Rei Kawakubo, the gown featured a sheer bodice that bloomed into a black-and-gold ruffled skirt.

Halle Berry in Tamara Ralph at the 2023 Academy Awards

<p>Gilbert Flores/Getty Images</p>

Gilbert Flores/Getty Images

It was all in the details for Halle Berry at the 2023 Academy Awards. The actress chose a white Tamara Ralph gown high-slit gown that featured rose gold 3D flower embellishments. The combination of the sensual higher-than-high slit and ultra-femme silhouette was a home run.

Halle Berry in Elie Saab at the 2023 The Red Sea International Film Festival

<p>Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images</p>

Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images

Sometimes more-is-more is exactly the type of mindset one should bring to the red carpet. Berry's Elie Saab gown for the 2023 Red Sea International Film Festival showed just that. A sheer high-neck, long-sleeved bodice with ostentatious gold brocade details opened into a full black skirt. Talk about glamour!

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