Costumes from Oscar-nominated 'Sinners' on display at African American Museum in Philadelphia

Six costumes from the film, including those worn by Michael B. Jordan's characters, are part of the 'Afrofuturism in Costume Design' exhibit.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 10:07am

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The African American Museum in Philadelphia is hosting an exhibit featuring costumes from the Oscar-nominated film 'Sinners,' including the memorable 1930s-era outfits worn by Michael B. Jordan's characters Smoke and Stack. The exhibit is part of 'Afrofuturism in Costume Design,' a showcase of costumes from films like 'Malcolm X,' 'The Butler,' and the 'Black Panther' movies, curated by five-time Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter.

Why it matters

The 'Sinners' costumes on display highlight the film's groundbreaking 16 Oscar nominations, the most in Academy Award history. The exhibit also showcases Carter's influential career in shaping how the world sees African Americans through her costume design work in over 60 films.

The details

The 'Sinners' costumes on display include Smoke and Stack's 1930s-era three-piece suits with fedoras, newsboy caps, timepieces, and tie pins. Also featured are the earthy flowing dress worn by best supporting actress nominee Wunmi Mosaku, the tattered sharecropper outfit of Cornbread (Oscar Miller), and the cream knit dress with a pussy bow accent worn by Hailee Steinfeld's character Mary. Carter said her only direction from director Ryan Coogler was to dress Smoke in blue and Stack in red.

  • The 'Sinners' costumes are on display as part of the 'Afrofuturism in Costume Design' exhibit at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, which opened on November 1, 2025.
  • The exhibit is the ninth and longest stop for the 'Afrofuturism in Costume Design' showcase, which first debuted at the Savannah College of Art and Design's Atlanta Campus in 2019.

The players

Ruth E. Carter

A five-time Oscar-winning costume designer who was nominated for her work on the film 'Sinners.' She has designed costumes for over 60 films that have shaped how the world sees African Americans.

Ryan Coogler

The director of 'Sinners,' which received a record-breaking 16 Oscar nominations.

Michael B. Jordan

The star of 'Sinners,' who received a best actor nomination for his roles as the twin characters Smoke and Stack.

Wunmi Mosaku

The actress who received a best supporting actress nomination for her role as Annie in 'Sinners.'

Hailee Steinfeld

The actress who played the character Mary in 'Sinners.'

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What they’re saying

“When I put that red fedora on him, Ryan flipped out and said, 'That's it!' We wanted people to resonate with their clothing and it did.”

— Ruth E. Carter, Costume Designer (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

“I am a griot. [Throughout my career,] I've developed a knowledge base that embraces our culture and speaks to all of us in a positive way.”

— Ruth E. Carter, Costume Designer (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

The takeaway

The 'Sinners' costume exhibit at the African American Museum in Philadelphia showcases the influential work of costume designer Ruth E. Carter, whose designs have shaped how the world sees African Americans in film. The display of these Oscar-nominated costumes highlights the cultural significance and artistic merit of costume design in storytelling.