AWC Detroit Networking: Costumes Tell Stories
AWC Detroit members and guests enjoyed a strolling tour of Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design at the Charles Wright Museum on Feb. 11.
The day began with a leisurely lunch at Café DIA, in the Detroit Institute of Arts, before the tour.
After seeing the Wright museum’s permanent exhibit, the group moved on to the highlight of the afternoon, Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design.
It was an impressive show, with costumes from “Black Panther” and “Wakanda Forever” taking center stage. Other displays showcased Carter’s versatile talents, in her 30+ year career, from movies such as “Amistad,” “Coming 2 America,” and the television miniseries “Roots.”
Academy Award-Winning designer Ruth E. Carter credits the success of her designs to her research, which she describes as a “slow and patient process, which cannot be rushed.” She includes time in her research process for “reading about a time period, speaking to historians, studying the way the mind thought and body moved, and learning about innovative or ancient design techniques that can enhance the costume.”
Attendees also learned about “ager-dyers,” specialized members of the costume design team who are tasked with breaking down costumes in a way that corresponds to the character. They might use sandpaper, paint, water, heat, and chemicals to make the costumes look lived-in and true to the character’s situation. Carter’s clothing helped to tell the story, and bring each director’s vision to life.
If you missed this fun afternoon, the exhibit runs through March.