15 Most Iconic Red Carpet Dresses of All Time (4 of 6)

Halle Berry: 74th Academy Awards in 2002

Halle Berry made a bold and unforgettable statement when she stepped onto the red carpet in an Elie Saab gown at the 2002 Academy Awards. The dress, a daring combination of sheer fabric and intricate embroidery, featured a captivating vine design that spiraled across the bodice, highlighting her flawless figure. The sheer, wine-colored top contrasted beautifully with the full satin skirt, blending sensuality with classic elegance in a way that few gowns have managed to achieve.

At the time, the look was seen as a risk due to its revealing nature, but it paid off spectacularly, as it not only highlighted Berry’s impeccable style but also became symbolic of her historic win that evening. Berry took home the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in Monster’s Ball, becoming the first Black woman to win in that category—a moment as groundbreaking as her daring fashion choice.

Kim Kardashian: the Met Gala in 2019

This list wouldn’t be complete without the one and only Kim Kardashian. For the 2019 Met Gala, the reality star wowed everyone in a show-stopping latex creation by Mugler, a design that took an impressive eight months to bring to life. The figure-hugging dress featured a dramatic corseted silhouette adorned with shimmering beads that mimicked the effect of water droplets. The look was crafted to evoke the image of a California girl emerging from the ocean, glistening and dripping wet.

However, before the final debut, the dress underwent a last-minute tweak inspired by her then-husband, Kanye West. Originally, the design included additional “wet-look” elements, but she chose to remove them after discussions with West.

Cher: 58th Academy Awards in 1985

People are still talking about the brave ensemble Cher wore at this show. Critics told her that she was not awarded an Oscar for her role in Mask because she didn’t dress seriously enough to be taken seriously. So she doubled down and showed up on the red carpet in a jaw-dropping Bob Mackie showgirl costume.