Predicting the winner of Best Costume Design might just be the toughest choice this year. I change my mind on a daily basis and might just change it again before Oscar night. We have two contenders who’ve both received relatively equal adoration this season. Which one comes out on top? No one has a damn clue.
Both Barbie and Poor Things scored nominations at the three main precursor awards. Both won their respective categories at the Costume Designers Guild (Barbie in sci-fi/fantasy film, Poor Things in period film). Barbie won at the Critics Choice Awards. Poor Things at the BAFTAs. Both are also up for Best Production Design and Best Picture. Again, how do you decide who will win over the Academy?
There’s a scenario where Poor Things wins both Best Costume Design and Production Design a la Black Panther in 2018. One could even argue there’s a world where Barbie takes both; something that seemed highly likely a few months ago. Maybe there’s a split, but which film takes what? Maybe Barbie has the edge given the fashion found in Greta Gerwig’s world is so intrinsically linked to the plot. A win would be reminiscent of fashion-focused films like Cruella or Phantom Thread.
But both those winners were period films; something Barbie is not and something Poor Things has in its favour. Once Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling leave Barbieland, the costume designs become decidedly modern and rather basic. On the flipside, Emma Stone’s costuming remains elaborate and fantastical throughout the entire film. I’d love to see Barbie take it, but we know how the Academy love their period designs and that might just make Poor Things too hard to resist.
BEST COSTUME DESIGN PREDICTIONS:
1. Poor Things – Holly Waddington (Searchlight Pictures) – BAFTA, CCA, CDG
2. Barbie – Jacqueline Durran (Warner Bros.) – BAFTA, CCA, CDG
3. Killers of the Flower Moon – Jacqueline West (Paramount Pictures / Apple Original Films) – BAFTA, CCA, CDG
4. Napoleon – David Crossman and Janty Yates (Sony Pictures / Apple Original Films) – BAFTA, CCA, CDG
5. Oppenheimer – Ellen Mirojnick (Universal Pictures) – BAFTA
Will win: Poor Things
Should win: Barbie
Possible shocker: Oppenheimer
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