 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.