Paul Tazewell has cast a spell on Hollywood, making history as the first Black man to win the Oscar award for Best Costume Design. The visionary designer, known for his breath-taking work in film and theatre, took home the honour for his stunning costumes in Wicked during Sunday night’s awards ceremony.
Tazewell’s Oscar win was no small feat, as he triumphed over a line-up of incredibly talented contenders, including Arianne Phillips (A Complete Unknown), Linda Muir (Nosferatu), Lisy Christl (Conclave), and the dynamic duo Janty Yates and David Crossman (Gladiator II). He now joins the legendary Ruth E. Carter as the second Black person to claim victory in this category—Carter having previously broken barriers with her award-winning designs for Black Panther.
This isn’t Tazewell’s first brush with awards recognition. He was previously nominated for his work on West Side Story and has been sweeping the awards circuit this season, securing wins at the BAFTA Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and the Costume Designers Guild Awards.
For Wicked, Tazewell and his team designed over a thousand dazzling costumes, bringing the magical world of Oz to life with intricate detail and artistry. Drawing inspiration from the 1939 cinematic classic The Wizard of Oz, his designs pay homage to the past while reimagining the story with a fresh and fantastical aesthetic. Two of his standout creations—Glinda’s ethereal bubble dress and Elphaba’s striking black ensemble—have already captured the hearts of fans.
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