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
nywift
Related Posts
NYWIFT Program Recap: “Daughters” at Hamptons Doc Fest
In December 2024, NYWIFT was proud to co-present a screening of the new documentary "Daughters" at Hamptons Doc Fest, followed by a Q&A with filmmakers Angela Patton and Natalie Rae moderated by NYWIFT CEO Cynthia Lopez. In this powerful documentary, four girls prepare to reunite with their fathers through a special dance at a DC jail in this moving documentary about the healing power of love. We offer a recap of the conversation plus a video of the Q&A to watch after you've seen the film, which is now available on Netflix.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member Sydney Giacomazzi
Sydney Giacomazzi is a writer and producer re-cultivating her Idaho roots in Brooklyn, NY. Her pilot script, Hidden Springs placed 2nd at the 2022 Shore Scripts Pilot Competition. It was also featured on Coverfly’s RedList, landing in the top 20 and top 1% for all TV half-hour pilots. Starved, her debut as a director, was nominated for “Best Original Story” at Cannes Shorts and won “Best Experimental Film” at the New York Short Film Festival. When she’s not writing, Sydney spends her time worrying about how she’s not writing. She calms her angst by people watching over a plate of diner pancakes. Get to know her in our latest interview!
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Muriel Omur Ilbas
Welcome to NYWIFT, Muriel Omur Ilbas! After working in television broadcasting, journalism, and advertising over 20 years in France and in Turkey, Muriel specialized in communication strategies and brand management consultancy, executive and intercultural coaching for French, Turkish and global companies as well as NGO’s including the United Nations agencies and the National Democratic Institute based in Washington DC. Since 1997, she produced and directed 10 biographic documentaries of famous Turkish businesspeople, artists and innovators. In recent years, Muriel has prioritized coaching and mentorships, and since 2010, has provided more than 2000 hours of executive, leadership, intercultural and empowerment coaching to worldwide corporate clients. Get to know her in our latest interview!
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Kristin Sisley
Welcome to NYWIFT, Kristin Sisley! Kristin’s journey through the world of film and TV has been shaped by a passion for sustainability, creative collaboration, and uplifting underrepresented communities. With over a decade of experience in the industry, she is now leading the "Made in NY" Production Assistant Training Program, an initiative dedicated to diversifying New York City's film and TV workforce. In this interview, Kristin shares her unique path into the industry, the impact of the program, and her vision for the future of film production in NYC. From tackling challenges in a fluctuating market to inspiring future storytellers, Kristin’s story is a testament to the power of mentorship, perseverance, and fostering inclusivity in the entertainment industry.
READ MORE
