About the gallery
Actors become believable characters through the skillful work of costume designers and hair and makeup artists. Starting by reading a film’s screenplay to find hints about each character’s personality, tastes, and story arc, designers often conduct historical research, gather inspiration from different forms of culture such as fashion, music, and art, and work with actors and directors to decide how characters will look and move in the costume and makeup. Designers also collaborate with cinematographers and art directors to ensure a cohesive vision.
Identity showcases the collaborative art, science, and craft of bringing characters to life with a special focus on movie musicals. Finished costumes, hairpieces, make-up prosthetics, sketches, working tools, products, and research sources illuminate the design process from script to screen-worn look. See original screen-worn costumes from films such as Moulin Rouge! (2001) and Wicked (2025), along with studies in makeup and hairstyling for movies such as Amadeus (1984), Dreamgirls (2006), and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020).
The iconic ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz (1939) have also made a magical return trip to the Academy Museum and are now on display in the Identity gallery. Rediscovered on the MGM lot circa 1970, they are the only known matched pair still in existence.
This gallery is curated by Curatorial Consultant Nathalie Morris, Collections Curator Laura Mart, and Associate Curator Sophia Serrano.
