Amid the bustling awards season, the 26th Costume Designers Guild Awards (CDGAs) recently took place in Hollywood. Over 1,200 costume designers, assistants, and illustrators gathered at NeueHouse to celebrate the achievements in film from the past year. The event was hosted by American actress Wendi McLendon-Covey and featured the presentation of nine awards along with special honors.
One of the highlights of the evening was the #NakedWithoutUs campaign, symbolized by attendees wearing pink outfits on the red carpet and during the event. This campaign was launched by the CDG to address the gender pay gap faced by female costume designers. The initiative aims to achieve pay equity with male-dominated creative department heads, highlighting the disparity in wages and working conditions.
The CDGA coincided with upcoming negotiations between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). Last year, a significant strike by SAG-AFTRA members underscored the industry's need for fair pay and better working conditions.
Despite the advocacy for pay equity, the CDGA also celebrated the achievements of various industry professionals. Actress Annette Bening received the Spotlight Award, costume designer Francine Jamison-Tanchuck was honored with the Career Achievement Award, and musician Billie Eilish received the Vanguard Spotlight Award.
Notable winners in the costume film category included Sophie Canale for Excellence in Contemporary Film, Holly Waddington for Excellence in Period Film, and Jacqueline Durran for Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film. In television, awards were presented to costume designers for various projects, including Star Wars' series Ahsoka and Netflix's limited series Beef.
The CDGA served as a platform for recognizing talent and advocating for gender pay equality in the entertainment industry, reflecting the ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable work environment for all professionals.
