The Academy Award for Best Costume Design was first given out at the 21st Academy Awards , held on March 24 , 1949 . The award had two subcategories , one for films in black and white and one for films in color . At the 30th Academy Awards , held on March 26 , 1958 , these two subcategories were merged into one , which was the result of the Academy reducing the number of competitive categories from 30 to 24 . The 32nd Academy Awards saw the category again be split into two for recognition of both black and white and color film . Eight years later , the Academy Award for Best Costume Design , along with two other awards , were each combined into their own single category recognizing achievement in film
30th Academy Awards
30th Academy Awards
Academy Award for Best Costume Design