Calls for pay equity were a central theme at the 26th annual Costume Designers Guild Awards (CDGA), which took place on February 21 at NeueHouse Hollywood. Hosted by Wendi McLendon-Covey, the event featured winners in nine categories, including a new award for excellence in costume illustration. Noteworthy this year was the recognition of primary assistant costume designers, who were honored alongside head costume designers in each category.
The ceremony also introduced the Vanguard Spotlight Award to celebrate influential performance artists, highlighting the diverse scope of costume design beyond film and television. Shirley Kurata, a costume designer-stylist known for styling Billie Eilish's music video for the Oscar-nominated Barbie song 'What Was I Made For?,' presented the award. Kurata emphasized Eilish's fashion focus on sustainability, individuality, and a vegan lifestyle, shedding light on the collaboration between costume designers and artists in various creative projects.
