Top Three Skills Needed for Costume Design: A Reflection on Ruth Carter's Work in Black Panther
Ruth Carter’s work in Black Panther highlights the top three skills needed in order to work in the field of Costume Design. Watch as Oscar winner Ruth Carter explains both the role of the designer, her work in Black Panther and her approach to design. Her amazing work gives us a glimpse into the intricacy and detail so pivotal to creating costumes for film.
1. Construction & Technical Know-How
With new technologies constantly evolving, designers are continually developing their skills and approach to design. New print technologies and design trends are on the forefront of fashion. A designer needs to have a great deal of construction experience and understand how garments are made, the quality of the materials and how to utilize those materials for the desired effect in creating looks.
With new technologies constantly evolving, designers are continually developing their skills and approach to design. New print technologies and design trends are on the forefront of fashion. A designer needs to have a great deal of construction experience and understand how garments are made, the quality of the materials and how to utilize those materials for the desired effect in creating looks.
2. Research Focus
Within a performance, costume design takes you on a journey into character, history and the underlying story of each individual represented in the work. Costuming a play or film requires a tremendous amount of research and we often don’t always see the amount of investigation that goes into each character, their portrayal and the subtlety of each costume piece whether on the stage or screen. Each piece of a costume is chosen carefully for functionality, color, authenticity and meaning. Costume designers are truly anthropologists, who delve deeply into the history, culture and background of the pieces they design. In the opening video, Ruth Carter discusses the research involved in her work with Black Panther in which she sourced original pieces to fully understand the significance and underlying design behind each item.
Within a performance, costume design takes you on a journey into character, history and the underlying story of each individual represented in the work. Costuming a play or film requires a tremendous amount of research and we often don’t always see the amount of investigation that goes into each character, their portrayal and the subtlety of each costume piece whether on the stage or screen. Each piece of a costume is chosen carefully for functionality, color, authenticity and meaning. Costume designers are truly anthropologists, who delve deeply into the history, culture and background of the pieces they design. In the opening video, Ruth Carter discusses the research involved in her work with Black Panther in which she sourced original pieces to fully understand the significance and underlying design behind each item.
3. Originality
Designers, such as Ruth Carter, are able to look at the characters or story in a fresh and interesting manner. Designers get the opportunity to change perceptions, make new trends and, often combine ideas and influences to reinvigorate fashion on the stage and screen. Every designer is unique and has a distinctive way of approaching the work. Carter’s originality lies in creating unique looks which are authentic to the character and piece.
Designers, such as Ruth Carter, are able to look at the characters or story in a fresh and interesting manner. Designers get the opportunity to change perceptions, make new trends and, often combine ideas and influences to reinvigorate fashion on the stage and screen. Every designer is unique and has a distinctive way of approaching the work. Carter’s originality lies in creating unique looks which are authentic to the character and piece.
