Great Outfits in Fashion History: Halle Berry's Lavender Valentino Oscars Gown

Photo&colon; Kevin Mazur Archive/WireImage

There are perfectly good celebrity style moments, and then there are the looks that really stick with you, the ones you try desperately to recreate at home. In ‘Great Outfits in Fashion History,’ Fashionista editors are revisiting their all-time favorite lewks.

Since the beginning of her career, Halle Berry has consistently turned out some of the most memorable fashion moments in Hollywood, whether on screen or at award shows in gowns so fabulous, they now reside in museums. Whether she’s being honored, nominated or just a guest, you can count on her outdoing most everyone else in attendance.

At the 1996 Academy Awards, the then-29-year-old wasn’t up for any awards, yet somehow came out as the star of the show in a gown from Valentino’s Fall 1995 Haute Couture collection. It featured a draped neckline that continued to fold over itself until it reached the waist, where an asymmetrical line split the dress into two halves; the straps were covered in appliqué flowers of the same hue with red sequins.

On the runway, worn by Naomi Campbell, it was accompanied by bow-adorned opera gloves and much larger florals on the dress straps. But Berry opted for bare arms, with the exception of a single glitzy diamond bangle. The star did add very large statement earrings covered in purple and white stones, plus matching lavender shoes to tie the whole thing together.

Below, see some ways to incorporate the beloved pastel into your own wardrobe.