Black Panther Costume Design

Image: Marvel Studios/ slashfilms.com

The whole world is talking about the impact of the movie Black Panther, which has shattered many box office records in less than a week of it's opening.

If there is one thing that can't be ignored, it's the amazing costumes used that represent so many different countries, cultures, tribes and traditions in the various countries across the continent of Africa.  It was a beautiful fusion of the diversity of the continent and it's all thanks to the film's costume designer, Ruth Carter.

Image: Marvel Studios

Black Panther is an adaptation of the comic character created by Stan Lee for Marvel comics in 1966.  The movie has become one of Marvels most successful and everyone who has seen the film is in complete awe of the all the wardrobe worn; especially by the female characters. 

Image: Marvel Studios

Ruth Carter told Elle Magazine that she looked at a lot of African Art and certain tribes in mind when she was creating the costumes for the film.  Many Africans have spoken about how they identified with certain pieces of art and details in many of the costumes worn throughout the movie.  Details in jewellery, hair and weapons also took great influence from various tribes.  She saw beadwork inspired by East Africans from the Maasai tribes and took influence from that in some of the pieces.  The film saw bits of inspiration from different parts of the continent represented.




The costumes are currently on display at El Capitan theatre in Hollywood.

Fans came out to see the film around the world, all dressed up in African inspired clothing. The impact this film has had on pop culture is historical because it's opened the world up to some of the traditional clothing from Africa.

Click here to read a great piece in Vanity Fair about the costumes.