We’ll likely have to wait for the Costume Designers Guild nominations to be announced on March 4 to gain a true insight into how this race may be shaping. As it stands now, we’re all just pulling predictions from thin air. It’s wise to stick with five period nominees here, but it would be a delight to see a contemporary nominee breakthrough like Promising Young Woman or The Prom.
I’m moving Ann Roth’s costumes for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom back into the #1 spot for this month. If Netflix can push Roth’s narrative of becoming the oldest Oscar nominee/winner in history, that could make her unstoppable. And, of course, she would be a richly deserving winner for her spectacular period design work.
After such a strong showing in the Oscars shortlists, I have this nagging feeling Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is going to score a nomination somewhere. The elaborate costume designs are the work of Australia’s Michael Wilkinson, who was previously nominated in 2014 for American Hustle and likely came achingly close last year for Aladdin. If there’s a spoiler waiting to happen on nomination morning, this would be it.
BEST COSTUME DESIGN PREDICTIONS:
1. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Netflix)
Ann Roth
2. Emma. (Focus Features)
Alexandra Byrne
3. Mank (Netflix)
Trish Summerville
4. Mulan (Disney)
Bina Daigeler
5. News of the World (Universal Pictures)
Mark Bridges
MAJOR CONTENDERS:
The Glorias (Roadside Attractions)
Sandy Powell
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (Netflix)
Michael Wilkinson
Judas and the Black Messiah (Warner Bros)
Charlese Antoinette Jones
One Night in Miami (Amazon Studios)
Francine Jamison-Tanchuck
The Personal History of David Copperfield (Searchlight Pictures)
Suzie Harman and Robert Worley
The Prom (Netflix)
Lou Eyrich
Promising Young Woman (Focus Features)
Nancy Steiner
The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Hulu)
Paolo Nieddu
The Witches (HBO Max/Warner Bros.)
Joanna Johnston
Wonder Woman 1984 (HBO Max/Warner Bros.)
Lindy Hemming