Halle Berry in Elie Saab, 2002

Halle Berry at the 74th Academy Awards in March 2002, when she became the first Black woman to win Best Actress, for Monster's Ball. Lebanese designer Elie Saab made the gown: a sheer mesh bodice embroidered with flowers and vines over a full burgundy taffeta skirt. The win and the dress are inseparable in memory, the gown made Saab's name in Hollywood, and Berry later gave it to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.