Oscar Ceremony: How to Present Costume Design
Thursday, February 6, 2020 at 5:50PM 
The presentation of the Costume Design category at the Oscars has always perplexed whoever is chosen to produce the show. It feels like there’s something inherently visual about the costumes that calls for doing more with that presentation than other categories. Yet they rarely get it right! Last year’s was actually one of the times it worked because of the brilliant comic timing of Melissa McCarthy and Brian Tyree Henry. Plus they wore ALL the costumes and that was such a funny visual gag...
Brosnan presented Sandy Powell with her 2nd Oscar for The Aviator
A few times the Academy actually staged fashion shows. There are several examples of this going back more than 40 years. Perhaps one of the most notorious ones was in 1996. That was at a time when supermodels were at the height of fame, so they brought two of them; Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer. They teamed them with James Bond; Pierce Brosnan. The producers clearly saw them as Bond girls’ surrogates as they had them flank Brosnan but not say much. Then they put on a full fashion show with many of the top models of the time including future TV host Tyra Banks showcasing Sense and Sensibility. They were clearly going for both glamour and a great TV moment. It doesn’t entirely work but don't you appreciate the attempt?
A presentation example that doesn’t work is when costumes are used as set props on stage. They fail to be noticed on TV screens. In 2009 Sarah Jessica Parker and Daniel Craig are tasked with telling the story of the craft of costume design, as part of that year’s mandate to show how a movie gets made from beginning to end. Visually it doesn’t work because the costumes become just background.
Even worse is the 2016 presentation. Cate Blanchett is tasked with walking around explaining the craft while stage hands push forward sketches and examples of the costumes from the nominated movies. None pop and the whole thing looks awkward.
Reader Comments (19)
Lauren Bacall in '86.
Too bad they can't have two Billy Porters present that category.
Have Shani Wallis sing the nominations, as a 50th anniversary tribute to her Oscar presentation...
zig - off to google you sent me. Oliver!
Bring back Whoopi Goldberg, just to wear the costumes. That bit always slayed me.
Check out the 1999 ceremony, when she comes out dressed as Queen Elizabeth from Shakespeare in Love, and calls herself "the African Queen."
James from Ames- agreed, Whoopi has always been my favorite host and that year you mention she was specially inspired and funny.
since jane fonda is going to be there, maybe they could restage my favourite oscar moment of all time:
https://youtu.be/jG96Q1CLv6E
I thought Melissa McCarthy and Brian Tyree Henry were terrific, and I agree that going for a bit of comedy is miles better than the "classroom" approach.
Whoopi was a lot of fun in various outfits, but she isn't the only one capable of dressing up.
This year they should have the cast of Little Women dress up just like they did in the movie.
A big box with all of the costumes, the cast would kill a bit like that.
(Great article btw)
@ James from Ames
That was exactly my first thought when i read the title of the post.
Her entrance resembling Moulin Rouge in 2002 was also memorable.
It would be great if this year Amy Poehler and Tina Fey present the category dressed as the Joker and Adolf Hitler respectively.
I loved the 96 presentation but I was big time into the super models then.
I loved the telecast of the Sarah Jessica Parker presentation. I think That was the first time in recent years they did the crafts from start to finish and tried to explain them more.
Dancing Miss Daisy!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoU9KvGlp98
Current nominee Arianne Phillips was decidedly not a fan of McCarthy and Henry’s presentation, which baffled me. She seemed to think they were mocking the designers. How can Madonna’s go-to not have a sense of humor??
This made me think of the time that Martin Short came on stage in the same dress as Carrie Fisher. I thought they were presenting costume design (it would have fit perfectly) but it turns out they were presenting the shorts awards.
par - That clip was a-mazing! Thank you for that!
Murtada -- this is great. I have often wondered the same thing.
@par and nathaniel
Thanks for share the clips. I think that Oscars forget that they are not just an award ceremony but also a show
The music band from 1969 is very cool.
Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway had the fashion show element, but also comedy when they did a bit with Meryl in the audience (this was the year of PRADA). Always one of my favorites.
Audrey Hepburn presenting costume design in 1986....The BEST explanation of what Costume designers contribute ever!