When Paul Tazewell took the stage at the 97th Academy Awards, he wasn’t just accepting an Oscar for Best Costume Design—he was making history. As the first Black man to ever win in this category, his victory was more than personal—it was monumental for the industry.
For Tazewell, who has been designing costumes for over 35 years, this moment was something he never imagined witnessing for himself.
“This is the pinnacle of my career,” he said backstage. “Much of my work has been on Broadway, and now in film. But the whole way through, there was never a Black male designer that I saw that I could follow, that I could see as inspiration. And to realize that that’s actually me—it becomes a Wizard of Oz moment. You know, it’s like, there’s no place like home.”
His words carried the weight of a career built on perseverance, talent, and breaking down doors that were never open for him in the first place. And now, for the next generation of Black designers, he is that inspiration.
Advice to His Younger Self
When asked what he would say to young Paul Tazewell, standing at the beginning of his journey, his message was clear: “Hold on tight. It will all be fine, and the world is going to be wonderful.” It was a simple yet powerful reminder that success in Hollywood—especially for designers of color—can be a long and difficult road, but that persistence and passion pay off.
Bringing Wicked to the big screen was a massive undertaking, and Tazewell made sure to give credit to the team behind the spectacle.
“With the help of a lot of really amazing and talented costume artisans of all types, and an amazing staff and assistants and crew,” he said. “There’s no way for me to do it alone. That’s also my greatest joy—collaborating with other very talented artists. I respect their artistry, and I share this with them.”
That teamwork resulted in some of the most dazzling costumes in recent film history, immersing audiences in the whimsical, yet deeply intricate, world of Oz.
Seeing Wicked on the Big Screen
Even after years of designing and creating for the film, Tazewell admitted that seeing the final cut was a breathtaking experience.
“I knew it was going to be pretty spectacular, but I was absolutely blown away,” he recalled. “Because we were working on two films at the same time, it wasn’t until I saw a nearly complete cut that I actually experienced the journey we created for audiences. And in that moment, it defined why I do costume design, why I am a costume designer.”
The Women Who Inspired Him
When asked about the women who shaped his creative vision, Tazewell didn’t hesitate to name legends of the fashion and costume design world:
- Irene Sharaff (West Side Story)
- Ann Lowe (the Black American designer behind Jackie Kennedy’s wedding dress)
- Iris van Herpen (a modern visionary in fashion)
- Ann Roth (one of Hollywood’s most revered costume designers)
- Theoni Aldredge & Willa Kim, two designers who helped define Broadway and Hollywood fashion
- Ruth E. Carter, the first Black designer to win an Oscar, whose work in Black Panther paved the way for others like Tazewell
A Win That Will Inspire the Future
These women not only influenced his artistry but also paved the way for greater diversity in costume design—a path that Tazewell is now extending to future generations.
Tazewell’s Oscar win for Wicked is more than just an individual achievement—it’s a historic moment that signals a shift in the industry. For decades, costume design has been dominated by white designers, and while women have had more opportunities in the field, Black designers—especially Black men—have rarely been recognized at this level.
Now, he stands as proof that talent, perseverance, and artistry can break through even the most long-standing barriers. And as young designers look up to him, they’ll see not just a winner, but a path forward.
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