Ruth E. Carter is the first person in history to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design for a second time.
Ruth E. Carter, a legendary costume designer, has just won her second Academy Award for Best Costume Design, making her another milestone in the annals of film history. She was able to walk away with the prize this time thanks to her work in the much-anticipated sequel to Black Panther called Wakanda Forever.
In 2019, Carter was presented with the very same award for her outstanding work on Black Panther, and she won it. She makes history as the first Black woman to win twice in any category at the Oscars, cementing her place as a trailblazer in the motion picture business.
Carter was nominated for an Academy Award for her work in the films Malcolm X (1992) and Amistad (1997), both directed by Spike Lee and Steven Spielberg, respectively, before she won the award for her performance in Black Panther. Her consistent effort and commitment to her craft have been acknowledged on multiple occasions, both by the Academy and by her contemporaries.
Ruth E. Carter makes history once again! With her second win for Best Costume Design tonight, she is now the first Black woman to win multiple Oscars in any category. @theblackpanther #Oscars #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/AmcrQKJNyZ
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023
During the press for the 2018 film Black Panther, Carter had a conversation with Shadow and Act in which they discussed the significance of cultural diversity and the representation of minorities in the United States. She emphasised how important it is for the country to recognise and celebrate the distinct histories and cultures of its citizens, ranging from Native Americans to African-Americans, and how important it is to create an environment in which everyone can feel like they are seen and heard.
“It’s about time the country led the way in embracing our differences and not looking at everything outside of this country as different or dumb,” said Carter. “It’s about time the country took the initiative to embrace our differences.” It ought to have been a place where one can go and simply be themselves from the very beginning. That freedom was taken away from American citizens who came to this country or were brought here when it was still known as the land of the free. It was not without cost. They had all traces of their previous selves removed.
“Thank you to The Academy for recognizing the superhero that is a Black woman.”
— ABC News (@ABC) March 13, 2023
Ruth Carter accepts the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”#Oscars#Oscars95https://t.co/OizA2V1EIT pic.twitter.com/G74FY9udl5
Not only has Carter’s work in “Black Panther” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” been visually stunning, but it has also played an important role in “Black Panther” creator Ryan Coogler’s efforts to honour and represent African culture in the Hollywood entertainment industry. Her accomplishments have served as a source of motivation for a great number of people and have helped pave the way for increased diversity and inclusion in the film industry.
Overall, Ruth E. Carter’s remarkable talent and dedication to her work have earned her a place in Hollywood history that is richly deserved, and her message of welcoming diversity and accurately representing cultural traditions is as relevant now as it was when she first shared it.