It’s strange to say this, but the battle for Best Costume Design is actually one of the most exciting of the season. There’s no clear frontrunner as yet and it’s still anyone’s guess which way the Academy will ultimately lean. They’re spoiled for choice this year. Any other year and several of these contenders would win in a cakewalk.
For this month, I’m sneaking Cruella up into pole position. I have no basis for this movement, as we’re still a while away from hearing from any of the major precursor awards that will provide some clarity to how this race is shaping. There’s just something about Jenny Beavan’s incredible designs that make Cruella hard to ignore.
But Cruella has mighty strong competition in the form of Spencer and House of Gucci; both of which also dress their leading lady in a dazzling array of sumptuous outfits. Fashion plays such an integral part in all three films, so it’s no exaggeration to say any of these three could win. And let’s not forget about Dune too. And West Side Story. See how difficult this category is to predict?
Keep an eye on Being the Ricardos, which is beginning to firm as a broader contender than most of us first presumed. The 1950s Hollywood aesthetic is exactly the kind of period costume work the Academy usually favours. It would be Susan Lyall’s first nomination, so that may work against her in a field of veterans.
BEST COSTUME DESIGN PREDICTIONS:
1. Cruella (Disney)
Jenny Beavan
2. Spencer (Neon)
Jacqueline Durran
3. House of Gucci (MGM)
Janty Yates
4. Dune (Warner Bros.)
Jacqueline West
5. West Side Story (20th Century Studios)
Paul Tazewell
IN CONTENTION
Being the Ricardos (Amazon Studios)
Susan Lyall
Belfast (Focus Features)
Charlotte Walter
Cyrano (MGM)
Massimo Cantini Parrini
The Eyes of Tammy Faye (Searchlight Pictures)
Mitchell Travers
The Green Knight (A24)
Malgosia Turzanska
The Last Duel (20th Century Studios)
Janty Yates
Licorice Pizza (MGM)
Mark Bridges
Nightmare Alley (Searchlight Pictures)
Milena Cananero
The Power of the Dog (Netflix)
Kirsty Cameron
The Tragedy of Macbeth (A24/Apple TV+)
Mary Zophres
