#paultazewell

Coming Monday, January 19 to Griffin Museum of Science & Industry

Crafting Character -- The Costumes of Paul Tazewell

Academy Award-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell has officially made history, becoming the first Black male to win the Oscar for “Best Costume Design” at the 97th Academy Awards. His groundbreaking work on Wicked, Universal Pictures’ two-part film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, earned him this prestigious honor at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood on March 2, 2025.

“Winning the Oscar for Wicked is the highest point of my life – my North Star,” Tazewell shared. “It is my privilege to be the first Black man to receive an Academy Award for Outstanding Costumes. I have evolved into that inspiring figure that I had been longing to emulate as a developing designer. I receive this beautiful recognition with immense pride, and I dedicate it to everyone who has the dream to fly.”

A Milestone for Representation in Costume Design

Tazewell’s historic win marks a pivotal step in Hollywood’s journey toward greater inclusivity and recognition of behind-the-scenes artistry. His career has been defined by a commitment to storytelling through costume design, blending history, culture, and innovation into his work.

Beyond his Oscar win, Tazewell’s designs for Wicked have also earned him accolades at the 2025 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), the Critics Choice Awards, the Costume Designers Guild Awards, the Innovator Award from the African American Critics Association, and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Costume Design.

The film itself has been a major success, garnering 10 Academy Award nominations and solidifying its place as one of the year’s most celebrated releases.

About Paul Tazewell

Paul Tazewell is an award-winning costume designer known for his extraordinary contributions to theater, film, and television. From his work on Hamilton and Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story to his visionary designs for Wicked, Tazewell has redefined storytelling through costume. He is also a passionate advocate for diversity in design and a mentor to emerging artists in the industry.

Universal Pictures’ Wicked (Part 1), featuring Tazewell’s signature costume designs, was released on November 22, 2024, under the direction of Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Its sequel, Wicked: For Good, is set to be released in November 2025. Meanwhile, his latest Broadway designs can be seen in Death Becomes Her.

Tazewell’s impressive career includes a Tony Award nomination and Drama Desk Award for Suffs (2024), an NAACP Theatre Award for Ain’t Too Proud, and an Emmy Award for The Wiz! Live (2016). His work spans across acclaimed productions such as Harriet, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.

With a career that began on Broadway with Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk, Tazewell has designed for productions like In the Heights, The Color Purple, Caroline, or Change, A Raisin in the Sun, and many more. His work also extends to opera, ballet, and international theater, including collaborations with The Metropolitan Opera, The Bolshoi Ballet, and The English National Opera.

A graduate of New York University (MFA) and North Carolina School of the Arts (BFA), Tazewell has also served as a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University.

For more on his work, visit PaulTazewellDesign.com or follow him on social media: @PaulTazewell.