Costume designer Ruth Carter on ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Coming 2 America’

Costume designers are storytellers too, says Ruth E Carter, who was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in February. The 60-year-old has labored with a number of the largest names in cinema, together with Spike Lee and Steven Spielberg. Ruth received an Oscar (she was the primary black winner) for her implausible work on Black Panther.

Talking from her front room in Los Angeles, California, Ruth says, “Everything comes from the writing. It takes you on a journey and helps you imagine the world. As far as costume design goes, we have to honour the written word and the imagination it sparks in us. The screenplay gives you the spirit, painting the colours in your mind. When I read a spirited, funny script, I see it in colour. I see what the vibrancy of the film is, and it does influence how big and bold you will be.”

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No actor, Ruth says, comes right into a becoming figuring out the complete image. “They are a little reluctant to be too opinionated because they want to integrate, to be a part of the composition and not a standout. We talk about the lines that look most attractive, things that will help them portray their character and what feels empowered.”

MCU’s Black Panther featured some signature appears by Ruth, from a trendy take on a lab coat for Shuri (Letitia Wright) to the futuristic interpretation of a Zulu hat for Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) and a sublime inexperienced designer go well with teamed with a lip plate for a river elder.

“The most memorable part for me was the Warrior Falls. I was told over and over again by Ryan Coogler [director] that that was the place where we could show the most African tradition. It was where I could show the Tuareg, the Turkana, and the Masai. I could show all of the majesty of tribal customs and clothes. I did so much research and delved into some of the amazing adornments that tribes from the whole continent used. I took a lot of pride in having clarity on each tribal custom. When we put that team together and I stood on set — that was the greatest moment I think of my whole career.”

Superhero movies, Ruth says, are sophisticated. “They are branded in many ways. There is a lot of expectations from the fans, a lot of detail for the process of making the costumes. You would have a superhero suit that has a muscle sculpt underneath and beadwork or 3D printing… There are lots of processes that go into creating a futuristic film. They are also highly creative, and for a designer it is kind of the dream come true, the utopia.”

On the opposite hand, Ruth says no movie is straightforward to design for. “When you do a contemporary film, you get a lot of opinions. Everyone comes to you with a strong idea of what they think it should look like. I would say some films are more accessible because maybe you shop more rather than build from scratch. As a designer however, I always try to bring something unique to the table. I always try to build a little something for the character so it helps define them.”

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Ruth’s newest task is the sequel to Coming to America, Craig Brewer’s Coming 2 America the place Eddie Murphy’s Prince Akeem returns to New York searching for a son he didn’t know he had.

“I had worked with Craig for Dolomite is my Name. I have also done seven pictures with Eddie. We were in a rhythm, we were already a drama troupe (laughs). When Eddie’s team told me that they wanted me to do Coming 2 America, I first thought that we were doing a remake and I was concerned because the first film was so beloved and it didn’t necessarily need a remake. After I read the script however, I realised that it is 30 years later with a continuation story here and there is a lot that I could do with it. We had the big funeral ceremony to do for King Jaffe Joffer (James Earl Jones). We landed on what we saw in the first film, which was beautiful Ankara fabrics and gorgeous celebratory looks for the men and women.”

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Coming 2 America is presently streaming on Amazon Prime Video