Spotlight on Excellence: Recap of the 28th Costume Designers Guild Awards
The 28th annual Costume Designers Guild Awards ceremony is currently taking place at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, with the winners being announced as the event progresses. The CDGAs recognize films in three categories: Contemporary, Period, and Sci-Fi/Fantasy, as well as various TV categories and special awards. The ceremony is hosted by Courtney Hope from The Young and the Restless.
Special honors are being presented at the event, including the Distinguished Collaborator Award for James Cameron, the Spotlight Award for Kate Hudson, the Vanguard Spotlight Award for Teyana Taylor, and the Career Achievement Award for Michelle Cole. Last year's top film prizes at the 27th CDGA went to Nosferatu, Wicked, and Conclave. Historically, the Academy Award for Costume Design has often been awarded to period films, with exceptions like Mad Max: Fury Road, Black Panther, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The winners at the 2026 CDGA include Bugonia, Jennifer Johnson for Excellence in Contemporary Film, Anna Mary Scott Robbins for Excellence in Period Film, and Deborah L. Scott for Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film. In the television categories, Marylin Fitoussi won for Excellence in Contemporary Television, Janie Bryant & Gaby Acosta for Excellence in Period Television, and Michael Wilkinson for Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Television. Other winners were recognized in the Variety, Reality-Competition, Live Television, Short Form Design, and Costume Illustration categories.
In conclusion, the Costume Designers Guild Awards celebrate excellence in costume design across various genres in film and television, honoring the creativity and talent of costume designers in the industry. The event showcases the best work in contemporary, period, and sci-fi/fantasy films, as well as television productions, recognizing the contributions of costume designers to the visual storytelling of these projects.