Paul Tazewell took home a top honor at the 27th Costume Designers Guild Awards (CDGA), winning for Wicked in the Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film category. The celebrated costume designer, who has long been a standout in the industry, solidified his place as a frontrunner in the upcoming Academy Awards with his intricate designs for the musical adaptation.
Held on February 6 at The Ebell of Los Angeles, the ceremony celebrated the finest achievements in costume design across film, television, and short-form content. Hosted by Nobody Wants This star Jackie Tohn, the event spotlighted the artistry and innovation that shape the visual storytelling of Hollywood’s biggest productions.
Wicked, Nosferatu, and Conclave Lead the Film Winners
Tazewell’s win for Wicked marked a significant moment in the evening, as the film’s whimsical and meticulously crafted wardrobe has been a major talking point this awards season. He designed Wicked’s costumes with a distinct connection to nature, incorporating mushroom motifs into Elphaba’s (played by Oscar-nominated Cynthia Erivo) look, while infusing effervescent pink bubble designs into Galinda’s (Ariana Grande) wardrobe to reflect her lighthearted persona.
Other major film winners included Linda Muir (Nosferatu) for Excellence in Period Film and Lisy Christl (Conclave) for Excellence in Contemporary Film. All three winners are also nominated for Best Costume Design at the 97th Academy Awards, where they will compete alongside A Complete Unknown (Arianne Phillips) and Gladiator II (Janty Yates and Dave Crossman).
Television Winners Shine
In television, the winners reflected an impressive range of period pieces, contemporary hits, and sci-fi/fantasy spectacles. The honorees included:
- Kathleen Felix-Hager (Hacks) – Excellence in Contemporary Television
- Carlos Rosario (Shōgun) – Excellence in Period Television
- Bojana Nikitovic (Dune: Prophecy) – Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Television
Meanwhile, The Masked Singer earned the Excellence in Variety, Reality-Competition, and Live Television award. Shōgun won an additional award for Excellence in Costume Illustration, with James Holland taking home the prize.
Honoring Industry Legends
Beyond the competitive categories, the CDGA honored legendary figures in costume design and entertainment. Three-time Oscar winner Jenny Beavan (Cruella, Mad Max: Fury Road, A Room with a View) received the Career Achievement Award, while Oscar nominee Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) was recognized with the Spotlight Award. Actress and musician Janelle Monáe (Hidden Figures) accepted the Vanguard Spotlight Award, and former guild president Salvador Perez (Hocus Pocus 2) was presented with the Distinguished Service Award.
The Edith Head Hall of Fame Award was given posthumously to Van Smith, recognizing his lasting impact on the field.
CDGA Supports Wildfire Relief
In a touching moment of solidarity, the Costume Designers Guild announced an online auction in partnership with Propstore, featuring rare entertainment memorabilia provided by the costume community. Proceeds from the auction will directly benefit the IATSE Emergency Relief Fund, aiding those impacted by the recent Los Angeles wildfires.
As the awards season progresses, Wicked, Nosferatu, and Conclave are set to continue their momentum leading up to the Academy Awards, where Paul Tazewell and his fellow designers will vie for Oscar gold.
Complete List of 2025 CDGA Winners:
Excellence in Contemporary Film
Conclave – Lisy Christl, CDG (WINNER)
Challengers – Jonathan Anderson
Emilia Pérez – Virginie Montel
The Fall Guy – Sarah Evelyn, CDG
The Substance – Emmanuelle Youchnovski
Excellence in Period Film
Nosferatu – Linda Muir (WINNER)
The Book of Clarence – Antoinette Messam, CDG
Gladiator II – Janty Yates, CDG and Dave Crossman
Maria – Massimo Cantini Parrini
Saturday Night – Danny Glicker, CDG
Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film
Wicked – Paul Tazewell, CDG (WINNER)
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice – Colleen Atwood, CDG
Borderlands – Daniel Orlandi, CDG
Dune: Part Two – Jacqueline West, CDG
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga – Jenny Beavan, CDG
Excellence in Contemporary Television
Hacks, “Just for Laughs” – Kathleen Felix-Hager, CDG (WINNER)
Agatha All Along, “Seekest Thou the Road” – Daniel Selon, CDG
Baby Reindeer, “Episode 4” – Mekel Bailey
Emily in Paris, “The Grey Area” – Marylin Fitoussi
The Gentlemen, “Refined Aggression” – Loulou Bontemps
Excellence in Period Television
Shōgun, “Ladies of the Willow World” – Carlos Rosario, CDG (WINNER)
Bridgerton, “Romancing Mister Bridgerton” – John Glaser
Feud, “Capote vs. The Swans: Hats, Gloves and Effete Homosexuals” – Lou Eyrich, CDG and Rudy Mance, CDG
Palm Royale, “Maxine Throws a Party” – Alix Friedberg, CDG and Leigh Bell, CDG
Ripley, “IV La Dolce Vita” – Maurizio Millenotti and Gianni Casalnuovo
Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Television
Dune: Prophecy, “The Hidden Hand” – Bojana Nikitovic (WINNER)
Agatha All Along, “If I Can’t Reach You/Let My Song Teach You” – Daniel Selon, CDG
Fallout, “The Target” – Amy Westcott, CDG
House of the Dragon, “The Red Dragon and the Gold” – Caroline McCall
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, “Doomed to Die” – Luca Mosca, CDG, Katherine Burchill, and Libby Dempster
Excellence in Variety, Reality-Competition, Live Television
The Masked Singer, “Who Can it Be Now?” – Steven Norman Lee, CDG and Luke D’Alessandro, CDG (WINNER)
The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, “Killer Dolls” – Gioffrè Vincenzo
Dancing with the Stars, “Soul Train Night” – Steven Norman Lee, CDG and Daniela Gschwendtner, CDG
Saturday Night Live, Ariana Grande Host – Tome Broeker, CDG and Ashley Dudek and Cristina Natividad
We’re Here, “Oklahoma, Part 3” – Diego Montoya and Marco Morante; Derek Anthony Purcell and Amber Watkins
Excellence in Short Form Design
Can’t B Broken: Beyoncé: Verizon – Shiona Turini, CDG (WINNER)
Excellence in Costume Illustration
Shōgun – James Holland, CDG Illustrator (WINNER)