Famous costume designer Ruth E. Carter made 2019 Oscar history with the Oscar for his work at Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, and she made history again today, when the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored Carter with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, making her the second costume designer, and the first black costume designer, to receive the distinction since its inception in 1960.
During the virtual ceremony, the costume designer received the 2,694th star in recognition for her career of more than three decades in the industry. The ceremony recognized Carter’s ability to “impress audiences and impress critics with costumes inspired by traditional African tribal costumes combined with a contemporary look, providing fashion and function, incorporating technology and creating authenticity, ownership and power for the characters and viewers who consolidate her as one of the most prominent voices and experts in Afrofuturism. “
“It is a pleasure to celebrate today Mrs. Ruth E. Carter in her historic Hollywood Walk of Fame induction,” exclaimed the guest Oprah Winfrey. “I personally had the opportunity to work with Ruth on Lee Daniels Butler and I could instantly say that his passion for clothes, costumes and design were combined with his intention to create a nuanced portrait of a black family over the decades. What I first observed in The Butler and then again on Selma she was a deeply intentional woman in creating clothes to represent the culture and journey of African Americans, because both stories involved African Americans. And now we all know her esteemed list of credits, both fictional and historical, and what impresses me most is the ease with which she works to create a whole atmosphere through her impeccable design choices, and what this allows for any actress who is working with Ruth to really surrender. “
“Thank you for seeing the depth of culture, history, art and for embracing my vision of Afrofuture in the lexicon of American cinema”, proclaimed the honoree Ruth E. Carter. “Above all, I dedicate this star to all young and aspiring filmmakers. I drove to Hollywood 36 years ago … nothing was delivered to me. Every moment, every sacrifice, every effort was hard work inspired by my passion. my hope that whoever sacrifices himself, who walks these streets of Hollywood, carrying his dreams in heavy bags full of fantasies, wishing to be the best, as I did, that when he looks at my star he feels my energy, he feels the power of his own unique story to make your dreams come true so that you too can reach your star. Wakanda forever. “