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On March 11th, the founder of beloved beauty brand Camille Rose, Janell Stephens, launched Art of Glam: Honoring the Hands Behind the Beauty, which recognized the beauty architects behind some of the notable talents, films, and television series at The Maybourne Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, during a buzzy Oscar week.
The purpose and timing of the event were intentional, according to Stephens, as she noticed that while progress has been made with recognizing highly skilled creative professionals who work tirelessly to create worlds with hair, fashion, and makeup, the entertainment industry could do a better job of consistently spotlighting them. "During Oscars week, I thought that was the perfect time because that is a time when all the celebrities are in LA with their entire glam squad. So I wanted to create a moment just for the people you normally see behind the scenes who truly create magic," Stephens said to me during a Zoom interview. "I feel that everyone should be celebrated within their craft and everyone deserves for their talent to be seen and honored. It takes a true village."
The inaugural awards dinner, which was intended to honor trailblazers in multicultural beauty, did just that, as two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter; award-winning fashion designer Sergio Hudson; celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert Sheika Daley; lauded department head hairstylist Camille Friend; celebrity groomer and texture authority John Mosley; celebrity stylists Tym Wallace and Vincent Smith.
Each honoree received a specialized award, and for some awardees, the Art of Glam awards marked their first recognition for their positive impact on the entertainment industry, and who's work has appeared on The Color Purple, Black Panther, and Sinners, while partnering with some of the best talent Black Hollywood has to offer, like Zendaya, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, and more.
Special attendees and presenters included: Samuel L. Jackson, Da'vine Joy Randolph, Kelly Rowland, Durand Bernarr, Kyla Pratt, Bianca Lawson, Clarissa Sheilds, Novi Brown, and more.
The highest honor of the evening was presented to prolific costume designer Ruth E. Carter by award-winning actress Da'Vine Joy Randolph, the Janell Stephens Signature Lifetime Achievement award. During her acceptance speech, Carter took a moment to reflect on the importance of costume design within film, "I'm the one dressing the characters, building the worlds, making sure everyone else looks fabulous. But I guess after making history a few times, I've been blessed to experience some beautiful moments. When we talk about the art of glam, we're talking about more than just fashion. Glam can be bold, like Do The Right Thing, and fabulous and serious, like What's Love Got to Do With It? And glam can also be quiet and dignified, like in our genetics. For many of us, our relationship with glam carries history. Sometimes our desire to look beautiful, to show up polished, to make a statement came from moments when we had very little, when the world always reflected our beauty back to us. So we created ourselves looking good, feeling good, ourselves with pride that became its own kind of declaration," she said.
Carter continued, "This evening is so special. It's about Black women and men supporting one another, a tradition that has always existed in our culture. It's about continuing what glam can mean with brands like Camille Rose. Glam isn't just about product; it's history; it's identity. It's coaching; and shining through."
Before receiving the award, Carter spoke to me about what it means to her to be recognized by her peers. "Being honored by Camille Rose for the Art of Glam -- and as the first recipient of its Lifetime Achievement recognition -- means so much to me at this moment in my career. Throughout my journey, I've always believed that costume design is part of how we reimagine beauty and expand the way culture is seen on screen. Glam isn't just about sparkle or spectacle -- it's about identity, heritage, and the power of representation," she said to me via email.
She continued, "As the first Black woman to win the Academy Award for costume design, I carry that history with me. Moments like this remind me how important it is not just to reach those milestones but to help create space for others to follow. To be recognized by a Black woman-founded brand like Camille Rose which celebrates creativity culture entrepreneurship feels special."
Her work on the recent film Sinners earned Carter a fifth Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design, officially making her the most-nominated Black woman in Oscar history. Additionally, Sinners has received sixteen Oscar nominations across the board, and Carter is excited to celebrate alongside so many incredible artists. "Everyone truly brought their Oscar-level game, and it's beautiful to see the work recognized collectively," Carter shared. "Sinners was especially exciting for me because it allowed me to step into the role of world-builder again. Every project asks you to imagine the lives of the characters -- who they are, where they've been, and how they move through their environment. Professionally, it challenged me to create a visual language that aligned with the story's tone. Personally,...
As for what's next, Carter will continue to focus on showcasing diverse storytelling through costuming. "There are always more stories to tell. I'm interested in exploring histories that haven't always been centered on screen and imagining new futures as well. Costume design allows you to move through time -- to honor the past while also dreaming forward. As long as there are stories that invite us to see ourselves and our cultures in new ways, I'll be excited to step into that creative journey," she said.