CDG Awards: Black Swan Takes the Prize | Clothes on Film

After that surprising snub by the Academy (not even a nomination) and BAFTA, Black Swan costume designer Amy Westcott has finally been rewarded, with a Costume Designers Guild (CDG) Award for Excellence in Contemporary Film.

This was a tough category, too. Jeffrey Kurland has hardly been mentioned, apart from by the public, regarding his almost entirely bespoke costumes for Inception. Have the Guild responded to the recent, very public controversy between Westcott and Black Swan contributors Kate and Laura Mulleavy, i.e. Rodarte? Perhaps, yes, and we would not begin to suggest this is a bad thing either. Moreover the effectiveness of the CDG lies in their broad distinction between genres, e.g. period and contemporary, allowing them to reward grand, noticeable costumes and subtler, more narrative lead design.

Away from the hullabaloo, Colleen Atwood took Excellence in Fantasy Film for Alice in Wonderland, her second win after BAFTA and her sixth (!) CDG Award overall. Jenny Beavan collected Excellence in Period Film for Oscar favourite The King’s Speech. John Dunn and Lisa Padovani won for Boardwalk Empire in Outstanding Period/Fantasy Television Series; Lou Eyrich for Outstanding Contemporary Series. Cindy Evans was Guild choice for Temple Grandin in Outstanding Made for Television Movie or Mini Series and Aude Bronson-Howard for commercial ‘Bleu de Chanel’.

Halle Berry was given a Lacoste Spotlight Award for “enduring commitment to excellence”, while costume marvel Julie Weiss received a Disaronno Career Achievement in Film and Television Award. Director, and one time costume designer himself, Joel Schumacher gained The Distinguished Collaborator Award. Michael Dennison was posthumously inducted into the Guild’s Hall of Fame for his notable, yet tragically cut short career.

Lots of A-list stars were in attendance at this 13th annual event wearing a kaleidoscope of frocks. Halle Berry looked especially radiant in classic red Elie Saab Haute Couture – or so we’re told; Clothes on Film were lucky enough to be invited to the CDG Awards but could not attend due to the 10,000 mile round trip required. Not bitter, not bitter at all.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter