“Creating Wakanda and designing Afrofuturistic looks where people can find their own beauty represented is the greatest gift of my career.” — RUTH E CARTER
Storytime! So, for Black History Month, I wanted to spotlight one of my most inspiring moments. The time I met Ruth E. Carter, the Oscar award-winning costume designer for Black Panther!
While in New Orleans attending the Essence Fest a few years back with my two beautiful sisters, we heard that there would be a meet-and-greet booth for Marvel's Black Panther! And to our surprise, it was THE Ruth E. Carter signing Black Panther posters alongside a showcase displaying the amazing costumes she designed for the film.
Ruth not only designed the costumes for Black Panther, one of Marvel's top-grossing films of all time, but she has dressed characters in a plethora of iconic Black films such as Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, and Selma, to name a few. While working on Black Panther, Ruth worked closely with Douriean Fletcher, the phenomenal jewelry designer for Black Panther!
We were only allowed a few moments to meet with Ruth to get a signed poster and a quick pic with her. But if I had more time, I would have loved to pick her brain about the process behind collaborating with Douriean to create such a cohesive collection that blended so well with her jewelry.
Thinking back on this moment had me wondering how and where I can draw inspiration for future collections and new designs.
Douriean Fletcher created not only the specialty jewelry pieces for Black Panther but also the armor pieces for the female warriors. In an interview, she mentioned that she spent time studying in South Africa to draw inspiration for the film's collection. She learned that what you wear tells others what region you're from and your status in the community.
I often draw inspiration from nature because I love how the environment changes from season to season. But after watching Black Panther and seeing Ruth and Douriean's work up close encouraged me to start challenging myself and to find inspiration outside of my comfort zone. Seeing Ruth at Essence Fest, surrounded by her work, and surrounded by beautiful people, inspired my own Afrofuturistic Collection. If you look at some of my older designs, you can see the inspiration. I feel that seeing Ruth and Douriean's work up close and personal had a great impact on me.
“Creating Wakanda and designing Afrofuturistic looks where people can find their own beauty represented is the greatest gift of my career.” — RUTH E CARTER
For her work on Black Panther, Ruth E. Carter won her first Oscar for Best Costume Design and was the first African American to win in this category. Meeting this legend, even though it was only for a moment, will continue to be a highlight in my creative career. Thank you, Ruth! You are such a creative inspiration!
