Paul Tazewell makes history as the first Black man to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design for his work on Wicked.
I’ve always been a late bloomer when it comes to watching live events on broadcast TV. While everyone was glued to their screens for the 97th Annual Academy Awards last night, I was likely enjoying dinner and minding my own business. However, upon hearing that ‘Wicked’ lost Best Picture to ‘Anora,’ I felt compelled to check my Hulu account and ensure it was paid up so I could catch the show in the comfort of my own home.
As I watched, I found myself quite disappointed in the overall event, but seeing one deserving winner receive recognition somewhat eased my disappointment.
The nominees for Best Costume Design were:
| WickedPaul Tazewell | Winner |
| A Complete UnknownArianne Phillips | Nominee |
| ConclaveLisy Christl | Nominee |
| Gladiator IIJanty Yates, David Crossman | Nominee |
| NosferatuLinda Muir |
I was thrilled to witness something positive emerge from the film ‘Wicked,’ especially after feeling almost overlooked by the Academy. Designer Paul Tazewell made history as the first Black man to receive the award. Let’s explore the history of this category.
About:
The Academy Award for Best Costume Design is one of the Academy Awards presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) for achievement in film costume design
The award was first given in 1949, for films made in 1948. Initially, separate award categories were established for black-and-white films and color films. Since the merger of the two categories in 1967, the Academy has traditionally avoided giving out the award to films with a contemporary setting.
The Academy Award for Best Costume Design is given out annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for the best achievement of film costume design of the previous year. Films that are eligible for the award must meet a series of criteria, including the requirement that the costumes must have been “conceived” by a costume designer. For this particular criteria, each submission is reviewed by the costume designer members of the Art Directors Branch prior to the ballot process. Wikipedia.
Paul Tazewell/Shot from Screen by The Newsletter ’05
History:
Paul Tazewell is an American costume designer for the theatre, dance, film, opera and television. After training at New York University Tisch School of the Arts he started his career on Broadway. He has since won an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Primetime Emmy Award and a Tony Award.
Born in 1964, in Akron, Ohio and educated University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Tisch School Of The Arts
Tazewell’s work spans various genres and styles, and he is known for his ability to create costumes that effectively enhance storytelling and character development. Some of his notable projects include costume design for productions like “Hamilton” and “The Wiz.” In addition to his work in theater, he has also contributed to television and film projects, showcasing his versatility as a designer.
Quote from People’s Magazine:
Paul Tazewell is going down in Oscars history!
The costume designer behind the fantastical wardrobe of Wicked won the Oscar for Best Costume Design on Sunday, March 2 at the 97th Academy Awards, becoming the first Black man to take home the trophy.
Variety:
“Wicked’s” Paul Tazewell has made Oscars history by becoming the first Black man to win for best costume design.
Tazewell, a previous nominee for “West Side Story,” already has an Emmy award (“The Wiz Live”) and Tony award (“Hamilton”) under his belt. He triumphed over fellow costume designers: Arianne Phillips (“A Complete Unknown”), Linda Muir (“Nosferatu”), Lisy Christl (“Conclave”) and Janty Yates and David Crossman (“Gladiator II”).
Tazewell has swept the season scooping up the BAFTA, Critics Choice and Costume Designers Guild awards along the way. He was also named one of Variety’s 10 artisans to watch in costume design, and was honored with the Variety Artisan Award in costume design at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.
The complete Oscar winners’ list:
Best picture
Best Actor
Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”
Best Actress
Mikey Madison, “Anora”
Director
Sean Baker, “Anora”
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
International Film
Documentary Feature
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
“Conclave,” Peter Straughan
Original Score
“The Brutalist,” Daniel Blumberg
Original Song
“El Mal” from “Emilia Pérez”
Animated Film
Visual Effects
“Dune: Part Two”
Costume Design
“Wicked,” Paul Tazewell
Cinematography
“The Brutalist,” Lol Crawley
Documentary Short Film
“The Only Girl in the Orchestra”
Best Sound
“Dune: Part Two”
Production Design
“Wicked”
Makeup and Hairstyling
“The Substance”
Film Editing
“Anora,” Sean Baker
Congratulations, to all the winners and nominees. I give the whole show a 7+
