Ruth E. Carter: Black Panther and Costume Design ★

Marvel’s Black Panther, Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing and Malcolm X, Steven Spielberg’s Amistad, and Ava Duvernay’s Selma—what do these successful films have in common? A talented and devoted costume designer! Ruth E. Carter has created the most memorable and powerful images on the silver screen through her ingenious costume designs. Her wealth of knowledge in African American history and African traditional aesthetics, depth of artistry and detail-oriented mind, as well as her strong commitment to empowering the underprivileged make her one of the most sought-after costume designers today.

Ruth E. Carter is the 2019 Academy Award winner for Achievement in Costume Design for Black Panther, making history as the first African American to win in the category. During her career as a costume designer for over three decades, she has designed for film, television, and theatre and has been nominated three times for the Academy Award for the best costume design (Malcolm X, Amistad, and Black Panther).

Ruth E. Carter will speak to the UCI community via Zoom about her career as a costume designer and artist; she will also present and discuss some of her work, including the costume design of Black Panther. The conversation will be facilitated by Marcy Froehlich, Associate Professor of Costume Design, Department of Drama.