Halle Berry Rocks Sheer Dress She Wore to 2002 Oscars 22 Years Later

Halle Berry wore her iconic 2002 Oscars gown to celebrate designer Elie Saab at his 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab event in Saudi Arabia. Halle wore the dress when she won her Oscar for Monster's Ball.

By Sabba Rahbar Nov 14, 2024 8:13 PMTags
Watch: Halle Berry Rocks Iconic Sheer Gown from the 2002 Oscars

Halle Berry is taking us back in time. 

More than two decades after winning the Best Actress Oscar for 2001's Monster's Ball, the Catwoman alum slipped into the now-iconic Elie Saab dress she wore to the 2002 award show for the designer's 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab event in Saudi Arabia on Nov. 13. And she made it feel like no time has passed.

"There are some moments in life that just happen and they change our lives forever!" Halle posted on Instagram Nov. 13, alongside a video of her wearing the dress down the runway. "Winning an Academy Award in my @eliesaabworld gown was one of those moments for me! Thank you Mr. Saab for being a part of the tapestry of my life as we have been inextricably connected for 22 years now!"

The 58-year-old added that it was her honor to celebrate the designer, writing, "Here's wishing you many more glorious years of joy, creativity and glamour!" 

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Halle Berry's Most Stylish Looks Through the Years

As for the dress itself? As Kerry Washington pointed out in the Instagram comments, Halle looked "ICONIC" in the berry gown, which featured a mesh top covered with colorful floral appliqués, and a silk, asymmetrical bottom. She updated the look with huge diamond earrings and a sleek updo, reminiscent of the pixie cut she had all those years ago.

Tiziano da Silva/Bestimage / BACKGRID

And obviously, fans were delighted to see Halle back in her Oscars gown.

"She literally put that designer on the award show scene with that dress," one wrote in the comments, "and it's my favorite of all time."

Another added, "A reminder that you CAN be the baddest in the game forever."

Halle—who is mom to daughter Nahla, 16 with ex Gabriel Aubry, and son Maceo, 11, with ex-husband Olivier Martinez—has previously talked about how much the dress meant to her, and how much she still loves it.

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"I just remember feeling really great in this dress," she told Vogue in a 2021 video. "The top was very open and free and just had these little flowers that sort of covered all the right bits that it needed to cover. But the bottom was very regal, very grand."

As she pointed out, at the timeElie Saab "wasn't the Elie Saab we know now." And while she could have gone with a bigger name designer, there was something about the dress that called to her. According to Halle, it "made me feel uniquely myself."

For more of the most incredible Oscar dresses of all time, keep reading.

Halle Berry

The actress' Oscar win was unforgettable for many reasons. She was the first Black woman to win the Best Actress Award, which she won in 2002 for Monster's Ball. In addition to her historical win, her dress became iconic and put designer Elie Saab on the map.

Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita always turns heads on the red carpet, but this custom baby blue Prada gown took the grand prize. This marked the first time she won the Best Supporting Actress award for her debut film 12 Years a Slave.

Gwyneth Paltrow

The Goop founder shut down the red carpet in 2012, wearing a swoon-worthy cape dress. And it's safe to say Tom Ford outdid himself with this look.

Ava Gardner

The silver screen siren of the Golden Age of Hollywood dazzled in an ostentatious sequins gown. As if that weren't glamorous enough, she accessorized with a large and lustrous tiara, white fur and gloves.

Timothée Chalamet

The Dune star skipped the basic black-and-white tuxedo for this glitzy Louis Vuitton two-piece. He added extra sex appeal by accessorizing his bare chest with a silver pendant.

Glenn Close

Glimmering in gold. The legendary actress rivaled the golden statue with this gilded caped dress.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett did the thing when she stepped out in this royal purple confection at the 2023 ceremony.

Gemma Chan

Perfectly pink! The Crazy Rich Asians star made a grand entrance with her bright and bold Valentino design.

Zendaya

The Euphoria star always turns heads on the red carpet but she pulled out all of the stops for the 2022 ceremony.

Hilary Swank

The actress, who took home the Best Actress award for Million Dollar Baby, stunned in a simple, yet striking Guy Laroche design that featured a plunging open-back. 

Elizabeth Taylor

One word: Glamourous. The legendary actress always knew how to drop jaws, and this design was no different.

Regina King

The Watchmen actress knows how to make a statement with a simple but sophisticated look. Her 2019 gown is all the proof you need.

Janelle Monáe

Never one to stick to the basics, the Moonlight actress dropped jaws in an Elie Saab Haute Couture gown, which was adorned with intricate beading, lace set with feathers and an over-the-top tulle train.

Cara Delevingne

Lady in red. The supermodel made sure all eyes were on her, as she stunned in a one-shouldered ballgown by Elie Saab.

Kate Hudson

Of her many appearances at the Oscars, Kate Hudson's 2014 look stands out from the rest, thanks in part to this caped and beaded Atelier Versace gown. 

Diana Ross

Diana Ross sizzled at the 54th Annual Academy Awards in a glittering red gown and lush white fur shawl.

Kacey Musgraves

The country singer turned heads in her bubblegum pink Giambattista Valli number at the 2019 event.

Becky G

The "Mamiii" singer brought old-Hollywood glamour to the 2022 event with a shimmery rose gold gown.

Billy Porter

The Pose alum proved why he reigns supreme on the red carpet, wearing a larger-than-life Christian Siriano design.

Viola Davis

The Oscar-winning actress stunned in this electrifying hot pink gown by Michael Kors. In addition to her bright dress, she accessorized with a matching flamingo pink clutch and statement jewelry pieces.

Nicole Kidman

The actress always shuts down the red carpet, and this powerful red gown by Balenciaga was no different. The high-neck and sleeveless design made it an instant classic, but the dramatic bow and striking color took it to the next level.

Yalitza Aparicio

The Roma actress brought a fashion fantasy to the red carpet with her dreamy and whimsical Rodarte design.

Eva Longoria

The Flamin' Hot director proved all that glitters is gold, erm, silver. She dazzled in a sparly Zuhair Murad couture gown at the 2023 ceremony.

Chrissy Teigen

Chrissy Teigen channeled old-Hollywood glamour in this periwinkle Zuhair Murad gown. 

Jennifer Lopez

For the 2015 affair, JLo made sure all eyes were on her as she stunned in this glitzy Elie Saab dress.

Julia Roberts

The Oscar-winning actress may have taken home the award in 2001 for Erin Brockovich but her satin vintage Valentino gown stole the show. The black and white number was from the brand's 1982 collection.

Lady Gaga

The A Star is Born actress looked effortlessly elegant in a white pantsuit dress by Brandon Maxwell.

Zoe Saldana

Wearing a custom Atelier Versace design, the Guardians of the Galaxy actress stunned in a blush-colored, body-hugging gown.

Emilia Jones

To celebrate CODA's success, the actress wore a stunning gold dress from Dolce and Gabbana.

Salma Hayek

The Frida alum stunned on the Oscars red carpet in a vibrant ocean-blue Atelier Versace gown.

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