Twenty years ago, the 2002 Oscars were largely defined by a history-making win: Halle Berry becoming the first Black woman to be awarded the best-actress Oscar. An emotional Berry, then 35, reflected on the magnitude of the moment in her acceptance speech. “This moment is so much bigger than me,” she explained through sobs. “This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It’s for the women that stand beside me: Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox. And it’s for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened.”
For her career milestone, Berry opted for a dress that would prove as indelible as the evening itself. Berry’s crimson-colored mesh and floral-embroidery-topped gown by Elie Saab proved to make its own kind of history when it was heralded by fashion critics, and it is now widely considered one of the best Oscar dresses of all time.
Meanwhile, on the red carpet, Gwyneth Paltrow followed Berry’s lead in an Alexander McQueen dress with a sheer, see-through top and black skirt, while Faith Hill made a colorful entrance in Versace and Reese Witherspoon went for a ’20s-inspired look in lacy Valentino. But the night delivered even more unforgettable fashion. Ahead, a look back at the 2002 Oscars red carpet.
