MPR News: Paul Tazewell is the first Black man to win an Oscar for costume design for his most recent film, “Wicked.”
“There was never a Black male designer that I saw that I could see as inspiration,” he said at the Academy Awards during his press room speech. “And to realize that, that’s actually me.”
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Paul Tazewell is a talented and amazing costume designer, and I have been silently following his career for a while as an observer. His work on Wicked was truly phenomenal, on his instagram he’s been posting the detailed craftsmanship and level of intricacy that went into each and every costume and it has been nothing short of amazing. I also love all of the references to not only the stage Wicked production but the original Wizard of Oz within the costuming, with it still having Tazwell’s individual marker on it. But his other previous works like Hamilton and Death Becomes Her are just as detailed and thought provoking. I have never seen a Guthrie production nor been to the theater but I have heard incredible stories from those who have. I am so happy that he has won an Oscar and that his talent is transcending into mainstream household name territory.
Reading about Paul Tazewell’s Oscar win for Wicked made me pause—not just because it’s an incredible accomplishment, but because of what he said: “There was never a Black male designer that I saw that I could see as inspiration.” That really stuck with me. In theatre, representation isn’t just about who’s onstage—it’s about who’s behind the scenes shaping the world we see. Tazewell’s career is proof that visibility matters. He didn’t see someone like him doing what he loved, and now he is that someone for the next generation. His consistency in visual storytelling—his use of ombre, structure, and silhouette—also made me reflect on how we as artists develop a language over time. It’s not about trends, it’s about tapping into what feels magical to us. Tazewell trusted that, even when the path wasn’t clear. His journey reminds me that success in the arts isn't linear, and it certainly isn’t always fast. But if we stay true to our voice, stay curious, and put in the work—even when it’s cold and uncertain—we build something lasting. For me, that’s both grounding and inspiring. I don’t know exactly where my artistic path will lead, but I hope it looks a little like Tazewell’s: thoughtful, evolving, and deeply connected to where I began.
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