Ah the Emmy nominations and the usual amounts of rage and joy were felt as the names were read out. There were the expected omissions which still caused the air to turn blue (The Americans getting nothing aside from writing and guest star and Jane the Virgin getting shut out) to the surprises (TATIANA) and out of the 14 performances on my wish list, 5 made the cut. Now let’s take a look at who has been nominated for costume design.
The costume design awards are split into two categories and unlike previous years which have mirrored the way the acting awards are divided between series and then mini-series/TV movie/special they are now organizing it by contemporary and period/fantasy. This makes so much sense and it means contemporary shows which have been overlooked in the past now get their chance to shine.
That being said there are still a few notable omissions and I cannot understand how Janie Bryant’s work on Mad Men has not been recognized. It is baffling when you consider the influence and impact this costuming has had on the way we talk about costume design (see everything to do with “Mad Style“) and runway trends. I would maybe understand if the final season of Mad Men was lacking in the nomination department overall and yet it has 11 in total.
Adding to this list of snubs with shows talked on a weekly basis here at TV Ate My Wardrobe include Ane Crabtree’s exquisite work on Masters of Sex, Jenny Gering’s subtle take on early 80s and all things excellent spy wear on The Americans and while I have fallen out of love with Scandal, Lyn Paolo’s costume design and all those wine cardigans are still on top of the game. Not to mention Diane Lockhart and Alicia Florrick’s executive attire that goes beyond boring pantsuits on The Good Wife thanks to Daniel Lawson.
One super bright and pattern filled comedy has been nominated and I am thrilled to see Salvador Perez’s name on there for The Mindy Project, but it seems like there is only room for one color soaked comedy as Tina Nigro is sadly not included for The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Going through the full list of Emmy nomination ballot submissions means I am also now sad that the “Sunday Funday” episode of You’re the Worst missed the cut (there are SO many good costumes in this one) along with the Val episode of Broad City, Halloween on Looking, the pilot episodes of Agent Carter and The Knick, plus the amazing coat filled season 3 opener of Orphan Black. I’ve only seen the first couple of episodes of Outlander and yet I know this is another big disappointment and it straddles both period and fantasy elements.
Of course not everyone can be nominated but as I scroll through the list there are some really disappointing entries that didn’t make it. Hannibal was not eligible for voting and so the initial lack of murder suit outrage was quickly subdued.
By submitting a specific episode we can see exactly which pieces they are being judged on and I am so pleased to see Daenery’s incredible dragon neckwear is featured in the Game of Thrones “Dance of Dragons” choice. Empire has two nominations and the costume design team has changed between the pilot and full season with both getting recognized.
The full list of nominees:
OUTSTANDING COSTUMES FOR A PERIOD/FANTASY SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE
American Horror Story: Freak Show, “Monsters Among Us” – Lou Eyrich, Elizabeth Macey, Ken Van Duyne WINNER!
Boardwalk Empire, “Golden Days for Boys and Girls” – John Dunn, Maria Zamansky, James P. Hammer, Jr., Joseph LaCorte
Downton Abbey, “Episode 9” – Anna Mary Scott Robbins, Michael Weldon, Kathryn Tart
Game of Thrones, “Dance of Dragons” – Michele Clapton, Sheena Wichary, Alexander Fordham, Nina Ayres
Wolf Hall, “Part 3” – Joanna Eatwell, Ken Lang, Clare Vyse
OUTSTANDING COSTUMES FOR A CONTEMPORARY SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE
Empire, “Pilot” – Paolo Nieddu, Eileen McCahill
Empire, “The Lyon’s Roar” – Rita D. McGhee, Sukari McGill
Gotham, “Under the Knife” – Lisa Padovani, Danielle Schembre-Borakovsky
The Mindy Project, “San Francisco Bae” – Salvador Perez, Gala Autumn, Ivy Heather Thaide
Olive Kitteridge, “Incoming Tide” – Jenny Eagan, Debbie Holbrook
Transparent, “Symbolic Exemplar” – Marie Schley, Nancy Jarzynko WINNER!
The Creative Arts Emmys will take place on Saturday, September 12.
TV Ate My Wardrobe 
