2016 Oscar Predictions: COSTUME DESIGN

The 1950s, 1920s, Shakespearian drama and wild, post-apocalyptic fantasy highlight the Costume Design race and its filled with big names like Oscar winners Sandy Powell, Jenny Beavan and Jacquline Durran. In fact, Powell is primed for yet another set of dual nominations, having dressed the actors of both Cinderella and Carol. Those two films are the top two contenders here and deservedly so. Powell, a 3-time Oscar winner, has already won in a year when she was up against herself (in 1999 when she was nominated for both Shakespeare in Love and Velvet Goldmine, winning for the former). It remains to be seen if she’ll ever be able to catch up with Edith Head’s 34/8 trophy total but Head benefited from a split category of black & white and color that lasted for decades.

Often there is overlap between Production Design and Costume Design and this year is no different. The aforementioned Cinderella and Carol join The Danish Girl and Brooklyn as possible/likely nominees here. Then we have the bloody Shakespeare drama Macbeth from Durran, who won an Oscar for 2013’s Anna Karenina. It stands as a period piece unto its own in this group, which bodes well for variety. As does Mad Max: Fury Road, whose elaborate costuming from Oscar winner (A Room with a View) and nine-time nominee Beavan could easily find its way in.

But what about things we might be missing? Could the 1970s costuming of Black Mass get in? The Academy has finally started to recognize that decade so it’s possible. What about Crimson Peak? There is a dearth in that era of period costuming and the gothic nature of it could find its way into the top 5. Keep and eye out too for Tale of Tales. That kind of wild and crazy left field nomination is totally something that happens in this category all the time.

You can track the Gold Rush Gang’s Oscar predictions for Costume Design here.