At Sunday’s Academy Awards celebration, Emmy Award profitable costume designer Paul Tazewell had a attractive smile as his identify was named as one particular of the costume designer nominees for his stunning costumes for “West Side Story.” “When it arrives to planning costumes,” Mr. Tazewell, an African American designer defined, “It’s all about establishing a character for the story.” As for his feelings about becoming nominated, “It is the top of the top rated, and it is the top nod and acceptance.” Paul Tazewell is also nominated for the approaching 2022 Critics Option and Tony Awards.
Born in Akron, Ohio, Tazewell is a graduate of North Carolina University of the Arts and NYU’s Tisch University of the Arts. He analyzed fashion design and style at Pratt Institute. During his faculty several years, he liked the theater. He reminisced about his significant university course journeys to the Stratford Shakespeare Pageant in Ontario, and how which is when he actually noticed costume design and style. He enjoys Broadway reveals and musicals.
His trend occupation began with his amazing costume types for “Bring In ’Da Sounds and Bring in ’Da Funk” in 1992, which also acquired Tazewell a Tony Award nomination. He was honored with many nominations about the yrs which include an Emmy for “Jesus Christ Superstar Are living in Concert,” NBC (2018) an Emmy for “The Wiz Live!” (2015). For “Hamilton,” Paul Tazewell won the Lucille Lortel Award, Tony Award in 2015. There ended up Tony Award nominations for “The Colour Purple,” and “In the Heights,” 2008, and lots of more prestigious nominations.
Directed by Stephen Spielberg, from a screenplay by Tony Kushner, “West Side Story” tells the common tale of intense rivalries and young appreciate in 1957 in New York Metropolis. From 20th Century Studios, the Walt Disney Enterprise released “West Aspect Story” in the U.S. on December 10, 2021.
In an interview past Saturday afternoon, before Sunday night’s Oscar Award Ceremony, Paul Tazewell shared some feelings:
RMW: When did you comprehend that you desired to be a costume designer?
PT: I understood early on in significant faculty that I preferred to structure costumes. It place me in an additional classification all my own. My mother and grandmother have been artists. I was fired up to style and design outfits for character growth and storytelling.
RMW: When did you find out the connection among clothing and character?
PT: In junior large faculty, I keep in mind all of my friends would go and hang out at the mall and store. I would basically sit on a bench and look at people today. I liked watching people interact with every other. I noticed how individuals behaved, dressed. I would try out to read them. I desired a improved being familiar with of who they have been and what they have been up way too. A costume designer is fundamentally a psychologist and enjoys garments.
RMW: What were your ideas about designing costumes for “West Facet Tale?”
PT: When Stephen Spielberg approached me, I assumed about the primary “West Facet Story” film in 1961, and puzzled about how I would pull the audience in? There was substantially study of outfits that were being worn in the 1950s. I required the appears to be like to reflect the lifestyle and neighborhood, and selected a bright yellow dress that seemed modern-day, nonetheless charming on the star that played Rita Moreno’s role in the movie. Ariana DeBose received an Oscar Award for Best Supporting Actress in “West Side Story.”
RMW: Whilst creating costumes for “Hamilton,” what was it like to work with Lin- Manuel Miranda?
PT: Operating with Lin-Manuel was astounding! He’s this sort of a great guy. Collaborating with him on “Hamilton” and “In The Heights” was an practical experience that I keep dear.
RMW: What tips do you have for younger, up-and-coming costume designers?
PT: Go to a faculty that has a plan. You want to enjoy your operate. Figure out how to converse your strategies. Authenticity of people is vital.
RMW: How prolonged does it get for you to generate a costume from begin to end?
PT: Relying on the garment, it could choose up to 3 months. Beaded garments take longer. There are many adjustments built during output.
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