NYWIFT Blog

Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife.

On May 23, NYWIFT will host Designing Women, a star-studded event that puts the spotlight on women design artists who have created outstanding hair, makeup, and costume design for film, television, and digital media.

New York Women in Film & Television began presenting the award in 2000 with the first honorees Patricia Field, Rita Ryack, and Rebecca Weinstein. Since then, dozens of talented hair, costume, and makeup artists have been honored, and top names in the industry have presented the awards such as Julia Roberts, Glen Close, Jodie Foster, and Tina Fey.

Sponsored by industry bible Variety and People Magazine, Designing Women likes to keep things lighthearted. In 2012, the Variety Ensemble award was presented to Boardwalk Empire by its star Steve Buscemi, who said, “As you may have noticed, I’m not a designing woman.“ The 2012 emcee Kristen Schaal praised 30 Rock award-winning makeup artists Jenn Jorge Nelson and Julie Teel: “Not one has complained about the extra time it takes to paint these giant cheeks of mine.” Tina Fey comically explained why the duo had such success on the show: “You must have the patience of Job, the hands of a surgeon, and the tactful, formidable demeanor of a prison gynecologist.”

This year’s award winners include makeup artist Andrea Miller (The Good Wife, Third Watch, Saturday Night Live), hairstylist Mandy Lyons (Moonrise Kingdom, The Tempest, Sex and the City) and costume designer Deborah Scott (Titanic, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Avatar). The Variety Ensemble Award will be presented to the costume, makeup, and hair design team of The Americans. A reception follows the award event. Proceeds from ticket sales go to NYWIFT’s nonprofit educational programs.

Keep an eye on nywift.org, Variety, Twitter, and right here on the NYWIFT Tumblr for updates on presenters and other important news about Designing Women. Tickets and registration are available here.

Designing Women will be held at The McGraw Hill Building, 1221 Avenue of the Americas (entrance on 49th St,) on Thursday, May 23, at 7pm. Doors open 6:30. Price for members is $75, nonmembers $150. — MIMI SPILLANE