The Sam Sanders Show Ruth E. Carter: What Makes an Iconic Costume?
Dec 5, 2025
Dive into the creative mind of Ruth E. Carter, a two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer celebrated for her iconic work in films like Malcolm X and Black Panther. She shares her unique process of blending history with horror in her recent film, Sinners. Ruth discusses the importance of representing Black stories in her designs and the challenges of limited representation in Hollywood. Through mentoring, she emphasizes an abundance mindset, encouraging new Black designers to find their voice in the industry. Fashion, for her, is a powerful storytelling tool.
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Why Sinners Felt Like a Calling
- Ruth E. Carter described being excited to work on Sinners because it combined period work with hands-on aging, dying, and character storytelling.
- She said the project spoke to why she became a costume designer: to be challenged and get her hands dirty with clothes.
Nonlinear Shoots Demand Detailed Continuity
- Carter explained filmmaking's nonlinear production forces costume teams to plan for continuity across nonsequential shoots.
- She emphasized collaboration and imagination to make blood, sweat, and wear read correctly in editing.
Manage Blood With Cross-Department Rules
- Coordinate closely with makeup and wardrobe to match blood color, placement, and drying for continuity across takes.
- Use dedicated storage and strict segregation on the wardrobe truck to preserve bloody versus clean garments.