Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design Exhibition at Jamestown Settlement
Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design Exhibition – Opens May 11 at Jamestown Settlement
Update: This exhibit has now been extended through January 5th, 2025.
Iconic costume designs by Ruth E. Carter for film and television converge with fashion of the 1600s and 1700s in a new exhibition opening May 11 at Jamestown Settlement.
Crossing time and place is a new special exhibition opening May 11 at Jamestown Settlement featuring the works of two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter. The traveling exhibit, organized by Ruth Carter Costume Design and curated by Julia Long, will be on display for six months through January 5th, 2025. When the exhibit opens on May 11th, Ruth E. Carter will be the featured guest at the Director’s Lecture Series at the Jamestown Settlement. Learn more and get tickets for this lecture here
At Jamestown Settlement, Carter’s designs converge with historical fashion of the 1600s and 1700s to transcend time periods through a unique comparison of clothing styles and dress, from bodices and breeches to tailored suits and heroic feats in fashion.
Notable Exhibits
You will recognize many of the films and shows in this exhibition as Carter has created powerful pieces for acclaimed films and television such as “Yellowstone,” “Roots,” “Amistad,” “Malcom X,” “Selma,” “Do the Right Thing” and “Black Panther.” This is the type of exhibit you can return to again and again. If your family watches “Black Panther” then return and see the actual costumes from the movie!
The only costumes not assembled by the exhibition staff were the Marvel costumes from Black Panther. After the costumes arrived in crates to the museum, Marvel staff came and assembled them on the mannequins. They were the only ones allowed to handle the costumes.
If you have kids that are interested in digital printers, you can direct them to Queen Ramonda’s headdress and shoulder pieces. They are all digitally printed. They are beautiful.
All of the exhibits are the actual costumes that stars wore for the movie/show. There are costumes from Oprah’s character in The Butler, Spike Lee’s “Mookie” in Do the Right Thing, Angela Bassett’s Queen Ramonda outfit pieces from Black Panther, Anna Paquin in “Amistad”, Samuel L. Jackson in “Shaft”, Eddie Murphy in Coming to America 2…and the list goes on.
Fun Facts & Highlights
FUN FACT: Angela Bassett’s Queen Ramonda’s head dress and shoulder pieces were actually created with a digital printer. (pictured in the video above)
FUN THING TO SEE: Look for the fish (fake, don’t worry) in the platforms of the costume from “I’m Gonna Get You Sucker.
“FORTNITE: King James – LeBron James Fortnite suit is there in the flesh!!!
GOOD TO KNOW: Just outside the exhibit is a hands-on area for kids to try their had with their own fashion ideas.
Visitors can view more than 60 of Carter’s original garments while also glimpsing her immersive process, historical research and attention to detail in every project she brings to life.
There are huge wall displays with her drawing of costumes, that are so detailed and beautiful they look as though they should be framed in an art museum. The wall displays are on either side of you when you enter the exhibit and have news stories, fabric swatches and sketches – all not to be missed.
The special exhibition also showcases the work of Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation historical tailors who dress interpreters depicting people living in early America, some based on period portraits and surviving garments on display in the museum’s gallery exhibits.
“Our ancestors dreamed of Afrofuturism in Jamestown! I’m excited and honored to present “Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design” and connect the story of our journey from 1619 to Wakanda.” ~Ruth E. Carter, 02/22/2024
Special Exhibit included with museum admission
“Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design” is included with general admission to Jamestown Settlement. Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for ages 6-12. An annual pass offers year-round access to the special exhibition, along with daytime programs and events.
Residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg, including William & Mary students, receive complimentary admission to both museums with proof of residency. Parking is free.
Jamestown Settlement
2110 Jamestown Road, Route 31 S.
Williamsburg, 23185
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