Ruth E. Carter Earns Oscar Nod for 'Sinners' Costumes

Acclaimed costume designer discusses her process for Ryan Coogler's critically acclaimed film.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 2:07pm

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Renowned costume designer Ruth E. Carter, who has won two Academy Awards for her work on the Black Panther films, has now been nominated for a third Oscar for her costume designs in Ryan Coogler's film Sinners. In this in-depth interview, Carter discusses her meticulous approach to creating the period-accurate yet visually striking costumes that help bring the story of the Mississippi Delta to life, from the intentional use of color to the importance of textiles and regional influences.

Why it matters

Carter's work on Sinners has been widely praised, with the film receiving a record-breaking 16 Oscar nominations. As a pioneering Black costume designer, Carter's contributions to elevating diverse storytelling in Hollywood are significant, and her insights into the creative process shed light on the vital role costumes play in immersing audiences in a film's world.

The details

Carter explains how she conducted extensive research into the visual history and cultural influences of the Mississippi Delta region to inform the costumes, from the aging and distressing of fabrics to reflect the characters' hardships to the incorporation of specific regional elements like Yoruba beads and Choctaw regalia. She also discusses the logistical challenges of coordinating hundreds of costume pieces to account for stunts, continuity, and shooting out of order.

  • Carter won her first Oscar for Black Panther in 2018.
  • She won her second Oscar for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022.
  • Sinners is now the most Oscar-nominated film of all time with 16 nominations.
  • The 2026 Academy Awards ceremony will be held on March 15, 2026.

The players

Ruth E. Carter

An Oscar-winning costume designer known for her work on films like Black Panther and Sinners.

Ryan Coogler

The writer and director of Sinners, which has received a record-breaking 16 Oscar nominations.

Autumn Durald Arkapaw

The director of photography for Sinners, who collaborated with Carter on the film's visual style.

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What they’re saying

“We're passion-led from the start. And that begins with the writing.”

— Ruth E. Carter, Costume Designer (yahoo.com)

“I told them all the time, go back to the images that you see in this research, because as people come in, your mind is automatically going to relax and then you'll be doing the same look over and over and over again before you realize it.”

— Ruth E. Carter, Costume Designer (yahoo.com)

What’s next

The 2026 Academy Awards ceremony, where Carter's work on Sinners will be recognized, will take place on March 15, 2026.

The takeaway

Ruth E. Carter's costume designs for Sinners showcase her mastery of period-accurate yet visually striking storytelling, drawing on extensive research and collaboration to immerse audiences in the rich cultural history of the Mississippi Delta. Her third Oscar nomination cements her status as one of the most talented and influential costume designers in the industry.