On the left, Julianna Margulies (right) with Andrea Miller (center); on the right, Nora Jones and Mandy Lyons. Photo credit: Ben Hider.
NYWIFT’s Designing Women Awards last Thursday, May 23, sponsored by People magazine, was a terrific event. It was a pleasure to see so many talented women — including Deborah Scott (costume designer, Avatar), Mandy Lyons (hairstylist, Moonrise Kingdom), and Andrea Miller (makeup artist, The Good Wife) — recognized for their work in film and TV.
The Variety Ensemble Award went to the entire hair, makeup, and costume team of The Americans for recreating the early-1980s looks necessary for hit drama’s spy characters. I had no idea how big a team is needed to make a period show look authentic.
Honorees with NYWIFT Board President Alexis Alexanian (center). Photo credit: Ben Hider.
The packed house also got the pleasure of hearing stories illustrating why these women were being honored. Presenters Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife), Grammy-winning singer Norah Jones, and Jon Landau (producer, Avatar) all spoke with affection about the winners while detailing their accomplishments.
The Americans producer Joseph Weisberg delved into how his team creates the world of espionage. And he knows what he was talking about — Weisberg once worked for the CIA.
To top it off, I’ve been enjoying the event’s ADJ gift bag, filled with items from some of NYWIFT’s many friends — delicious goodies and sweet deals from Rainforest Alliance, Guylian, Slide restaurant, Clinique, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Hanes, Sony Music, Streeter Tech, and Gotham Writers’ Workshop.
Perhaps the biggest gift I received is being part of an organization like NYWIFT that’s dedicated to supporting women who call the shots! — MIMI SPILLANE
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