Why Meryl Streep Almost Became a Costume Designer
Charlie Carballo
Executive Digital Director
If the acting thing doesn’t work out, the Costume Designers Guild probably could make some room for Meryl Streep.
The three-time Oscar winner was feted on Tuesday with the Distinguished Collaborator Award at the association’s 19th award ceremony in Los Angeles at The Beverly Hilton, presented by Lacoste.
The annual CDGA gala, determined by voting members of the Guild, recognized achievement in film, television and short-form costume design.
Streep’s award lauded her collaborations with costume designers and her years of supporting the craft.
The “Florence Foster Jenkins” star majored in costume design while in college before getting bitten by the acting bug, she recalled onstage.
“This means a lot to me, not because I wanted to be a costume designer, but because my mother really wanted to be a costume designer,” she said. “Halloween was like the run-up to Fashion Week in our house — and she was so inventive.” Streep added that some of the highlights from childhood included dressing as the Statue of Liberty and a harem dancer.
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Other honorees included Lily Collins, who was presented with the Lacoste Spotlight Award; Lois DeArmond, who received the Distinguished Service Award; and longtime Woody Allen costume designer Jeffrey Kurland, who received the Career Achievement Award.
“This Is Us” star Mandy Moore emceed the event, and presenters included actor Matthew Bomer, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
Below are the winners in seven categories.
Excellence in Contemporary Film
“La La Land” — Mary Zophres
Excellence in Period Film
“Hidden Figures” — Renee Ehrlich Kalfus
Excellence in Fantasy Film
“Doctor Strange” — Alexandra Byrne
Outstanding Contemporary Television Series
“American Horror Story: Roanoke” — Lou Eyrich, Helen Huang
Outstanding Period Television Series
“The Crown” — Michele Clapton
Outstanding Fantasy Television Series
“Game of Thrones” — Michele Clapton, April Ferry
Excellence in Short Form Design
“Pepsi: Momotaro Episode Four,” featuring Jude Law — Ami Goodheart
