NAACP Image Awards Shines Light On Black Costume Design, Hair & Makeup Creatives For Second Year In A Row

“The Color Purple,” “Black Lady Sketch Show,” and “Air” are among the 14 television shows and films getting up-front shine from the 2024 NAACP Image Awards for their behind-the-scenes glam work.

[SEE ALSO: ‘The Black Beauty Effect’ Docuseries Explores Black Women’s Game-Changing Impact On Beauty Industry]

This marks just the second year in the awards’ 55-year history that magic makers in costume design, makeup, and hairstyling categories are making it center stage. The NAACP debuted the categories in 2022, just one year after honoring famed “Black Panther” costume designer, Ruth. E. Carter, with the inaugural Vanguard Award for Costume Design.

“We actually are working it out for the actors behind closed doors, we are image makers,” said Carter during her awards speech at the time.

The Impact

The NAACP announced the new categories immediately following Carter’s speech. The move reflected an industry-wide call for more visibility and representation behind the screen, including hiring and the ever-looming hurdles to join unions. We also know that having Black creatives behind the scenes helps not only build more authentic looks and production worlds, but can also better help drive storylines.

For example, each season of “Black Lady Sketch Show” features more than 200 characters and they never repeat a hairstyle in season, said creator Robin Thede.

“It’s the magic of Black women. It’s the magic of Black hair. It’s the magic of Black artistry, and Shavonne Brown is a master at that,” said Thede in a recent interview.

Similarly, hairstyling in “The Color Purple” was not only period-appropriate, it helped capture each character’s — especially Celie’s — growth.

“She became more independent and opinionated, which led to her hairstyles evolving into more fashionable, creative, and appropriate looks for that time,” explained Lawrence Davis, the hair department lead for the movie.

And, of course, Black beauty creatives aren’t just confined to Black productions. Charlese Antoinette Jones‘ work as costume designer for “Air” gave us full-on ’80s flair with sourced and recreated Air Jordans, tracksuits, and shoulder-padded everything.

Scroll down to see the complete list of 2024 NAAP Image Award nominees for Costume Design, Hair, and Makeup.

The Nominees

Outstanding Costume Design (Television or Film) 

• Charlese Antoinette Jones – “Air” (Amazon/MGM Studios)
• Dierdra Elizabeth Govan – “I’m A Virgo” (Amazon/MGM Studios)
• Toni–Leslie James, Josh Quinn – “Rustin” (Netflix)
• Francine Jamison–Tanchuck – “The Color Purple” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Makeup (Television or Film) 

• Cole Patterson, Fabiola Mercado – “Bel–Air” (Peacock)
• Miho Suzuki – “Lessons in Chemistry” (Apple TV+)
• Beverly Jo Pryor, Eric Pagdin, Quintessence Patterson – “Rustin” (Netflix)
• Carol Rasheed, Saisha Beecham, Ngozi Olandu Young, Manny Davila, Milene Melendez – “The Color Purple” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
• Denise Pugh–Ruiz – “UnPrisoned (H”ulu/Onyx)

Outstanding Hairstyling (Television or Film) 

• Shavonne Brown – “A Black Lady Sketch Show” (HBO | Max)
• Carla Joi Farmer – “Air” (Amazon MGM Studios)
• Elizabeth Robinson – “Creed III” (Amazon MGM Studios)
• Melissa “Missy” Forney, Sterfon Demings – “A Black Lady Sketch Show” (HBO | Max)
• Lawrence Davis, Tym Wallace, Andrea Mona Bowen, Angela Renae Dyson, Jorge Benitez Villalobos – “The Color Purple” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

The 55th NAACP Image Awards show is scheduled to air March 16 on BET and CBS. Fans can vote for their fave nominees now through February 24.