Overview

Costume designer Ruth E. Carter has shaped the story of the Black experience on screen—from the eighties streetwear of DO THE RIGHT THING to the royal regalia of COMING 2 AMERICA. Her costume design on Marvel’s BLACK PANTHER not only brought Afrofuturism to the mainstream, but also made her the first Black winner of an Oscar in costume design. In this definitive book, Carter shares her origins and recounts anecdotes from dressing the greats. She describes the passion for history that inspired her period pieces—from MALCOLM X to AMISTAD—and her journey into Afrofuturism—including the highly anticipated BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER. Carter’s wisdom and stories are paired with sketches, mood boards, and film stills. At its core, Carter’s oeuvre celebrates Black heroes and sheroes, whether civil rights leaders or Wakandan warriors. This book is sure to inspire the next generation of artists and storytellers.

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9781797203065

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Reviews

"""In this stunning blend of backstage memoir and portfolio, Carter recounts her unexpected journey from actress to theater costume assistant and her life-changing encounter with a young director named Spike Lee. Tasked with designing his second film, School Daze, Carter drew on her eye for creative detail, deep grounding in history, adventurous sense of color and texture, and dizzying work ethic. Carter and Lee collaborated on nine more films.... While it was the Black Panther movies that brought her wide popular acclaim, she reveled in her historical films, which allowed her to revisit family stories and to delve into period photography and poetry."" --Booklist Starred Review ""This definitive work makes visible the thought, care, and skill required of a successful film costumer.... Numerous anecdotes featuring well-known actors and filmmakers are woven throughout this conversational narrative. This book reveals the processes, including historical and cultural research and technical know-how, behind Carter's most famous works.... The author comes across as the storyteller she is, both with her costumes and her words.... The pages are filled with fascinating original illustrations, stunning photographs, and eye-catching stills highlighting Carter's artistry in full, glorious color."" --Library Journal Starred Review"

"""Taken as a whole, Carter's three-decade career is not just a collection of great films; it tells a story. Whether comedies or period pieces, biopics or Super Hero blockbusters, her films have shaped the narrative of the Black experience in American cinema. And her work is sure to inspire the next generation of storytellers."" --Robyn Belt, Marvel.com ""This definitive work makes visible the thought, care, and skill required of a successful film costume designer.... The author comes across as the storyteller she is, both with her costumes and her words.... The pages are filled with fascinating original illustrations, stunning photographs, and eye-catching stills highlighting Carter's artistry in full, glorious color.... VERDICT An appealing read for anyone interested in moviemaking, and essential for aspiring costumers."" --Library Journal Starred Review ""In this stunning blend of backstage memoir and portfolio, Carter recounts her unexpected journey from actress to theater costume assistant and her life-changing encounter with a young director named Spike Lee. Tasked with designing his second film, School Daze, Carter drew on her eye for creative detail, deep grounding in history, adventurous sense of color and texture, and dizzying work ethic. Carter and Lee collaborated on nine more films.... While it was the Black Panther movies that brought her wide popular acclaim, she reveled in her historical films, which allowed her to revisit family stories and to delve into period photography and poetry."" --Booklist Starred Review"

"""Taken as a whole, Carter's three-decade career is not just a collection of great films; it tells a story. Whether comedies or period pieces, biopics or Super Hero blockbusters, her films have shaped the narrative of the Black experience in American cinema. And her work is sure to inspire the next generation of storytellers.""--Robyn Belt, Marvel.com ""This definitive work makes visible the thought, care, and skill required of a successful film costume designer.... The author comes across as the storyteller she is, both with her costumes and her words.... The pages are filled with fascinating original illustrations, stunning photographs, and eye-catching stills highlighting Carter's artistry in full, glorious color.... VERDICT An appealing read for anyone interested in moviemaking, and essential for aspiring costumers."" --Library Journal Starred Review ""In this stunning blend of backstage memoir and portfolio, Carter recounts her unexpected journey from actress to theater costume assistant and her life-changing encounter with a young director named Spike Lee. Tasked with designing his second film, School Daze, Carter drew on her eye for creative detail, deep grounding in history, adventurous sense of color and texture, and dizzying work ethic. Carter and Lee collaborated on nine more films.... While it was the Black Panther movies that brought her wide popular acclaim, she reveled in her historical films, which allowed her to revisit family stories and to delve into period photography and poetry."" --Booklist Starred Review"

Author Information

Ruth E. Carter is an Oscar-winning and Emmy-nominated costume designer. Her work is currently the subject of a traveling exhibit. In 2021, she became the second-ever costume designer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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