03 March 2025 |
6:54 am
Costume designer Paul Tazewell has etched his identify within the historical past books, changing into the primary Black man to win an Academy Award for Greatest Costume Design. The seasoned designer took dwelling the award on the 97th Oscars on Sunday for his breathtaking work on ‘Depraved’. This win marks his first Oscar victory and…
Costume designer Paul Tazewell has etched his identify within the historical past books, changing into the primary Black man to win an Academy Award for Greatest Costume Design.
The seasoned designer took dwelling the award on the 97th Oscars on Sunday for his breathtaking work on ‘Depraved’.
This win marks his first Oscar victory and second nomination after beforehand being acknowledged for ‘West Facet Story’, directed by Steven Spielberg.
Throughout his acceptance speech, the gang rose to their ft, honoring his achievement with a standing ovation.
READ ALSO: See full checklist of winners on the 97th Oscars
“I’m the primary Black man to obtain the costume design award,” he declared, soaking within the second. “I’m so pleased with this.”
Talking backstage, Tazewell described the win as the height of his profession, reflecting on the struggles he confronted in an business the place he had no Black male function mannequin to look as much as.
“I’ve been designing costumes for over 35 years — that has been on Broadway, and now it’s movie,” he mentioned.
“There was by no means a Black male designer who I noticed that I might observe and see as an inspiration. However to understand now that it’s really me.”
The designer’s journey to the Oscars has been paved with exceptional achievements.
Earlier than this historic win, he bagged main business awards, together with a BAFTA, Critics’ Alternative, and the Costume Designers Guild Award.
His victory makes him the second Black individual to ever win the Greatest Costume Design class, following Ruth E. Carter’s groundbreaking win for ‘Black Panther’ in 2018.
“She has paved the best way for designers of shade,” Tazewell acknowledged.
Tazewell, extensively identified for his mastery in costume design, has constructed a formidable profession spanning theatre and movie. He received an Emmy in 2018 for ‘The Wiz Dwell!’ and a Tony Award for ‘Hamilton’.
His inventive brilliance has formed a few of Broadway’s largest productions, together with *The Shade Purple, Within the Heights, MJ the Musical, Suffs,* and *A Streetcar Named Want*.
He first transitioned into characteristic movies with the 2019 film *Harriet*, the place he labored alongside Cynthia Erivo.
Expressing gratitude for the help he acquired on *Depraved*, he gave a heartfelt shoutout to the movie’s stars, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
“To my muses, Cynthia and Ariana, and all the opposite solid—thanks for trusting me with bringing your characters to life. That is every part.”
