Sketches, photos and costumes flood the East Pavilion in Chicago’s Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. “Crafting Character: The Costumes of Paul Tazewell” is a complete multimedia experience guided by Tazewell himself, with the displays of his work accompanied by his narration and behind-the-scenes video.

The Museum of Science and Industry is now hosting the first exhibit showcasing the work of award-winning costume designer Tazewell. The exhibit, which opened Jan. 19, brings a variety of Tazewell’s work to Chicago hosted in the museum’s newest space, the Griffin Studio.

“This exhibition is one of the best explanations of the costume design process that I’ve seen,” said Maggie Hofmann, the head of costume technology at The Theatre School at DePaul University.

Hofmann attended the exhibit with some of her students when it first opened.

The exhibit features Tazewell’s process, from childhood sketches to the creation of costumes in his largest projects such as Broadway’s “Hamilton” and the film adaptations of “Wicked” and “West Side Story.”

Jackie Acosta, a wig and makeup design & technology major at DePaul’s theater school, says that as a Latina, she looks up to Tazewell and admires the work he’s done.

“He serves as an inspiration,” Acosta said. “Seeing all of the backstage work and everything that it took to get one piece together is crazy.”

She especially admires his work in “Wicked,” loving the embroidery in Elphaba’s wardrobe. Acosta respects “all the work” that goes into every piece he designs.

Tazewell attended Buchtel High School in Akron, Ohio, where at 16 years old, he worked on the high school’s performance of “The Wiz,” a retelling of “The Wizard of Oz” with an African American cast. In 2025, he became the first Black man to win an Oscar in costume design for his work on Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked,” bringing his experience in the Oz universe full circle.

When accepting his award, Tazewell said it was the pinnacle of his career, and he felt humbled to inspire other Black men hoping to become costume designers. 

Arianna Franklin, a junior costume design major at DePaul, admits she isn’t the biggest fan of Tazewell’s work. She mostly attributes this to the differences between costumes in theater and film, often preferring the latter. She specifically disliked his main character work in “Hamilton.” Despite that, she continues to respect him and the strides he has made in the costume design community. 

“Even though I don’t necessarily like Paul Tazewell’s work, I do think that there is a lot of things that I enjoy and that I resonate to in just him paving the way for other designers, Black and minorities,” Franklin said. “I myself am a Black costume designer, so I will always support Black costume designers.”

“If somebody else talks trash about him, I cannot stand for that.”

Franklin says that she knows Tazewell is very seasoned in his craft and is well liked by his peers. She also takes note of the community he contributes to as a Black designer, especially in his friendship with one of her favorites, Ruth E. Carter. Carter was the first Black woman to win the Oscar for costume design and is someone Franklin admires deeply. Tazewell and Carter met as interns at the Santa Fe Opera House. Franklin thinks back to their bond before they were as famous as they are now.

“They were the only two Black people there. They had a community even before they were oh-so-famous,” she said. “The world is very very small, especially for the costume design industry.”

Hofmann also noted how tight this industry is and thought the exhibit highlighted that concept well.

“Mr. Tazewell also explains how his process includes sometimes hundreds of other artisans who help bring his designs to life,” Hofmann said. “Costume design is a community sport.”

The exhibit ran alongside work in the Black Creativity program at the museum, which “celebrates the history of Black innovation.” Tazewell’s exhibit debuted with the “Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition,” which is showcasing Black artwork from around the country through April 19.

Tazewell’s installation is open through Sept. 7, and no additional ticket purchase is required to see the exhibit. Upcoming free days for Illinois residents at the museum are Feb. 17-19 and 23-26.

Franklin hasn’t been to the exhibit, but she says she would love to see more designers featured in the future. She’s a strong advocate that people should get to know all minority costume designers, not only because the industry is sometimes overlooked but also to highlight creators for what they are. 

“I would love to see something that wasn’t necessarily because they’re Black, but because they’re talented,” Franklin said.

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