‘Black Panther’ costume designer blazes trail to inspire

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ruth E. Carter is a black woman blazing a trail as a costume designer in a film industry with not many who look like her. But through her upcoming career achievement award and Oscar nomination for her Afro-futuristic wardrobes in the superhero film “Black Panther,” Carter believes she can “knock down” more doors so others like herself can walk through them.

If Carter wins an Oscar for best costume design this month, she would become the first African-American to win in the category. Despite “very stiff competition,” Carter believes she has a good chance going up against Mary Zophres, Alexandra Byrne and three-time Academy Award winner Sandy Powell, who is nominated for “The Favourite” and “Mary Poppins Returns.”

“I’m a contender,” said Carter, who already won for “Black Panther’s” costumes at the Critics’ Choice Awards last month and was recently honored at New York Fashion Week.

“The designers are extremely talented designers, but I’m glad that I’m giving them a run for their money,” she added. “That’s how I feel . ... I feel empowered. I feel invigorated. I feel masterful.”