The Beginning

The first Academy Award award for costume design was given out in 1949 at the 21st Academy Awards.  At first, there were two awards given; one for films in color and one for films in black and white. For black and white film, Roger K. Furse won for his work on Hamlet. For films in color, two women Dorothy Jeakins and Barbara Karinska won for their work on Joan of Arc. Eventually, the two categories of color film and black and white film merged together into the award we know today. As seen in the winners of the first Academy Award and from there onward, most of the films nominated for costume design fall under the genres of historical, musical, or fantasies. A film that fits under the genre of contemporary is not nominated for the costumes. 

The costumes designed by Roger K. Furse in Hamlet featured many embellishments, long ornate gowns, and elegant silhouettes. Although the movie is black and white, viewers can see the detail and brilliance of the costumes. The costume worn by Laurence Olivier is still in existence and has been in many museums. 

The costumes designed by Dorothy Jenkins and Barbara Karinska in Joan of Arc featured elegant suits of armor, colorful textiles, and excellent construction. The two female designers used their advantage with colored film to show the different levels in class through various color pallets- dull colors for the poor and brighter colors for the rich.