Today In Black History: Paul Tazewell, the Visionary Costume Designer Reshaping Theater and Film
He has won Emmy and Academy Awards for "Hamilton" and "Wicked"
Photo Credit: New York Times
Issue #963 Today In Black History, Monday, December 1, 2025
Paul Tazewell has become one of the most celebrated costume designers of our time, earning a place among the industry’s elite through his innovative designs, meticulous attention to detail, and groundbreaking achievements.
Born on September 15, 1964, in Akron, Ohio, Tazewell has transformed the worlds of Broadway, film, opera, dance, and television with his artistry and creative vision.
Tazewell earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the North Carolina School of the Arts in 1986. He later pursued advanced studies at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, earning his Master of Fine Arts degree.
Tazewell made his Broadway debut as a costume designer in 1996 with Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk.
His Broadway credits include The Color Purple (2006), In the Heights (2008), Memphis (2010), A Streetcar Named Desire (2012), Ain’t Too Proud (2019), MJ (2022), and Suffs (2024). Each production earned him Tony Award nominations.
In 2016, Tazewell achieved a career milestone when he won the Tony Award for Best Costume Design of a Musical for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. This victory recognized his ability to translate contemporary storytelling into visually stunning costume design.
His work on Hamilton became iconic, helping to define the visual language of one of the most successful musicals in history.
Beyond Broadway, Tazewell has made significant contributions to film and television. He received an Emmy Award in 2016 for his costume design work on NBC’s The Wiz! Live!, demonstrating his ability to translate theatrical vision to the screen.
His film credits include Harriet (Focus Features), The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (HBO), and Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert (NBC).
In 2021, Tazewell received an Academy Award nomination for his costume design on Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, becoming the first African American male costume designer nominated in this category.
Tazewell’s most recent triumph was the 2024 film adaptation of Wicked. Working with director Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Tazewell created costumes that brought the fantastical world of Oz to life on the big screen.
His designs drew inspiration from three key sources: Gregory Maguire’s novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West”, the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, and the beloved Broadway production.
In 2025, Tazewell made history once again by winning the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for Wicked, becoming the first Black man to win in this category. This achievement represented a significant milestone for diversity and inclusion in the film industry.
What sets Tazewell apart is his meticulous approach to research and creative interpretation. He doesn’t simply create costumes; he builds entire worlds through fabric, color, and silhouette. His designs tell stories, reveal character, and transport audiences to different times and places.
His work is characterized by bold choices, attention to historical and cultural context, and an ability to balance spectacle with authenticity. He understands that costumes are not mere decoration—they are essential tools for storytelling and character development.
Tazewell’s accolades are extensive and varied. In addition to his Tony Award and Academy Awards, he has received:
- A British Academy Film Award (BAFTA)
- A Primetime Emmy Award
- Multiple Helen Hayes Awards
- Lucille Lortel Awards
- AUDELCO Awards
- Princess Grace Award and Princess Grace Foundation Fellowship
- NAACP Theatre Award for Best Costume Design
- Drama Desk Awards
Beyond individual awards, Tazewell has given back to the next generation of designers. He served on the faculty at Carnegie Mellon University from 2003 to 2006 and has worked as a guest artist at prestigious institutions, including New York University and the North Carolina School of the Arts. He established a merit-based scholarship for undergraduate students of color in the School of Design and Production at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, his alma mater.
Based in New York City, Tazewell has collaborated with major cultural institutions, including The Metropolitan Opera, The Bolshoi Ballet, and The English National Opera.
As of 2025, Tazewell has recently joined the creative team for *Rose Pandanwangi*, an Indonesia-Philippines co-production about celebrated seriosa singer Rose Pandanwangi, bringing his award-winning expertise to international cinema.
Paul Tazewell’s career represents the pinnacle of costume design excellence. From his groundbreaking work on Broadway to his historic achievements in film, he has consistently demonstrated that costume design is not a supporting art form but a central element of storytelling. His designs don’t just dress characters—they define them, elevate them, and make them unforgettable.
Through his artistry, mentorship, and commitment to representation, Tazewell has also opened doors for future generations of designers. His historic Academy Award win as the first Black man to win in the Best Costume Design category marks a turning point in the industry, one that reflects both his exceptional talent and the long-overdue recognition of diverse voices in cinema.
Today In Black History
In 1641, Massachusetts became the first colony to give statutory recognition to slavery. Ten other colonies soon followed.
In 1774, President George Washington, who himself was a slave-holder, signed the Fairfax Resolve Act to end the importation and exportation of slaves.
In 1865, HBCU Shaw University was founded in Raleigh, NC.
In 1874, Black inventor T.J. Byrd patented a railcar coupling system.
In 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat in the white section of a bus, inspiring the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
In 1964, Alex Quaison-Sackey of Ghana became one of the first Black people to preside over the United Nations General Assembly.
In 1980, Willie Lewis Brown was elected Speaker of the California Assembly. He later became the first Black mayor of San Francisco.
In 1992, Pearl Stewart became the first Black woman editor of the Oakland Tribune.
