The Best Costume Design nominees have been acknowledged by the Academy of Motion Pictures and Arts for some of the most visually stunning movies of the year, including The Great Gatsby and The Grandmaster. American Hustle brought back the amazing fashions of the disco era, while 12 Years a Slave explored the visuals of the American South.
This year’s nominees are all period pieces, but only The Invisible Woman goes back to a truly classic time, 19th century Victorian London. The most impressive designs will be honored at the 86th Academy Awards, on March 2nd, but all the Best Costume Design nominees deserve a lot of praise for their excellent work. Find out more about the amazing designers nominated at the Academy Awards 2020 and the movies they created stunning costumes for.
Michael Wilkinson – American Hustle
The disco era costumes of American Hustle were created by Michael Wilkinson, first time nominee for Best Costume Design at the Academy Awards 2020. From stunning dresses created for Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence to stylish period suits for Bradley Cooper and Christian Bale, Wilkinson helped bring the world of 1970s New Jersey to life.
Out of all the Best Costume Design nominees, Michael Wilkinson is the only one who’s mainly worked in fantasy movies. He designed the wardrobe for TRON: Legacy, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Down, 300, Man of Steel, and Sucker Punch. His upcoming projects include Noah, starring Russell Crowe as the Biblical figure, and Batman vs. Superman.
Catherine Martin – The Great Gatsby
The roaring twenties have been brought to the screen with gusto in Baz Luhrman’s The Great Gatsby. The most stunning wardrobe choices for The Great Gatsby include Carey Mulligan’s gorgeous dresses, along with Leonard DiCaprio’s perfectly tailored suits.
Martin and Luhrman are married and they have two children. She’s also designed the costumes for the 2020 movie Australia. Out of all the Best Costume Design nominees at the Academy Awards 2020, Martin might have the biggest chance to win. She’s been nominated 6 times and won two Oscars in 2020, for both costume design and art direction – Moulin Rouge!.
Patricia Norris – 12 Years a Slave
The wardrobe in 12 Years a Slave doesn’t feature a lot of stunning gowns, but makes up for it with excellent period costumes that color the portrayal of the Antebellum South through the point of view of a man forced into slavery. Patricia Norris is another top contender for the Academy Awards 2020. This is the designer’s sixth nomination and her first one dates back to the 1978 motion picture Days of Heaven.
Norris has created the costumes for many David Lynch movies and classics like Scarface. Her most recent work includes credits for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Killing Them Softly and The Immigrant.
Michael O’Connor – The Invisible Woman
Set in 19th century Victorian London, The Invisible Woman tells the story of Charles Dickens’ secret mistress, played by Felicity Jones, while the iconic author is portrayed by Ralph Fiennes. The Academy loves stunning gowns, so O’Connor is also one of the front runners between the Best Costume Design nominees.
The British costume designer has won before, in 2020 for The Dutches and his impressive work includes Oscar and Lucinda, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and Quills. Since period films include a lot of research for the wardrobe department and this is the only nomination for The Invisible Woman, the vote might get split the other favorites allowing O’Connor to take home the Oscar at the Academy Awards 2020.
William Chang Suk Ping – The Grandmaster
Set in mid-20th century Asia, The Grandmaster tells the story of Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man (played by Tony Leung) and this is William Chang Suk Ping’s first nomination after working on Wong Kar-wai movies in different position for more than two decades.
Out of all the Best Costume Design nominees, William Chang Suk Ping might be recognized by the Academy retroactively for all his contributions to movies like In the Mood for Love. The detailed costumes worn by Zhang Zyi are another plus that may get him a win at the Academy Awards 2020.
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