The legendary costume designer has earned her fifth Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design for her work on Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, officially making her the most-nominated Black woman in Oscar history across any category. With this milestone, Carter extends a legacy that has not only shaped cinema but also paved the way for future generations of Black creatives.
Before this year’s nomination, Carter was tied with Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis at four nominations. She now stands alongside Spike Lee and Morgan Freeman, each with five nominations, ranking among the most-recognized Black creatives in Oscar history. Only Quincy Jones (seven nominations) and Denzel Washington (nine nominations) stand ahead.
A Career Rooted in Cultural Storytelling
Ruth E. Carter is widely celebrated for her ability to use costume as storytelling, honoring history, culture, and identity through design. Her work has consistently elevated Black narratives on screen, most notably in Black Panther (2018), for which she became the first Black woman to win an Oscar for costume design. Her nomination for Sinners further solidifies her role as a cultural architect in film.
In this year’s Best Costume Design category, Carter joins an accomplished group of nominees including Deborah L. Scott (Avatar: Fire and Ash), Kate Hawley (Frankenstein), Malgosia Turzanska (Hamnet), and Miyako Belizzi (Marty Supreme).
Breaking Barriers and Earning Oscars
Carter’s work on Marvel’s Black Panther marked a watershed moment in cinema. The costumes were more than outfits, they were symbols of pride, power, and identity, rooted in Afrofuturism and rich African tradition. For this achievement, she became the first Black woman to win an Academy Award for Best Costume Design.
She repeated that historic win with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, becoming the first Black woman to win multiple Oscars in any category, a distinction that cements her legacy while spotlighting how rarely Black designers have been recognized at Hollywood’s highest levels.
Now, with her fifth Oscar nomination — this time for her work on the period-rich Sinners, Carter has surpassed legendary actresses and creatives to hold the record for the most nominations of any Black woman in Oscar history.
Design Philosophy: Culture, Respect, and Visual Truth
Carter’s approach to costume design centers on truth and representation. For Sinners, set in the early 20th-century American South, she described her work as an act of cultural preservation, using clothing to protect and reflect the lived realities of Black working-class life rather than merely embellishing characters. This level of nuance and historical sensitivity has defined her career.
Her designs don’t just dress actors; they tell their stories. Whether it’s the vibrancy of African-inspired regalia or the layered texture of Depression-era clothing, each piece becomes a visual narrative that deepens audience engagement with the story.
More Than an Oscar Nominee: A Cultural Legacy
Beyond the Oscars, Carter’s contributions extend to education and inspiration. Her memoir, The Art of Ruth E. Carter, chronicles her creative journey and creative philosophy. Her work has been featured in traveling exhibitions exploring Afrofuturism in Costume Design, showcasing how cinematic costume can reflect identity and imagination.
She also serves on the Academy’s Board of Governors for the Costume Designers Branch, helping shape the future of the industry and championing greater diversity in storytelling.
Celebrating Legacy, Visibility, and Impact
Ruth E. Carter’s achievement is more than a personal milestone, it is a reminder of the power of sustained excellence and representation. Her work has not only shaped cinematic worlds but has also expanded what visibility looks like for Black women behind the scenes.
At Women of Rubies, we celebrate moments like these because they reflect the very essence of our mission: honoring women who break barriers, build legacies, and redefine what leadership and creativity look like on a global stage.
Ruth E. Carter’s legacy is still unfolding, and history is watching.
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