Technically, Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall are the stars of Coming 2 America, a 2021 sequel to the 1988 comedy Coming to America. Murphy and Hall recount their roles as Prince Akeem and his best friend Semmi, hailed from the fictional African country of Zamunda.
But the break out there is no doubt that the stars are the elegant costume of Ruth E. Carter, who turns every look into a visual smorgasbord. Alternatively, as Hall puts it in a video exclusive to OprahMag.com, “[Carter] creating rooms that resemble a bouquet of flowers. “The triumphant final scene showcases the beauty of Carter ‘s creations: The people of Zamunda gather in the palace of Prince Akeem, each dressed more beautifully than the one about end.
Over her three legendary decades in Hollywood, Carter has worked Malcom X, Do the right thing, and Selma, to name a few, and with filmmakers like Spike Lee, Steven Spielberg, John Singleton, Ava DuVernay, and Lee Daniels. She gained global recognition for her work on the 2018 Marvel film, Black panther, also set in a fictional African country – Wakanda, not Zamunda. In February 2021, she became the second suit designer to star on the Hollywood Reputation Trail.
Carter was thanked Coming 2 America shortly after she won an Oscar for Black panther. “My idea was very funny but at the same time scary. I was just done Black panther. I was wondering how I could separate the two ideas, “Carter said in the feature.” And I knew that whole lots of clothes. “
The costumes tell the story of two very different countries (and royal families). Wakanda’s silver and leather clothing is an example of the scientifically advanced Vibranium-rich country. For Coming 2 America, Carter says she prioritized “authenticity,” working with more than three dozen designers to create original clothing that incorporated traditional clothing and patterns. As this was a modern take on the 1988 film, Carter was also inspired by contemporary African designers.
Carter’s attention to character and detail can be seen in Prince Akeem’s embroidered coat. “The coat itself is the story of the Zamunda royal family. I created a lace pattern that was the family’s motto,” she said. On the shoulder of Prince Akeem is a 3D printed lion, a relentless homage to the lion on the coat of his father, the king.
Another easygoing egg? Meeka, the eldest daughter of Akeem (played by KiKi Layne), wears a Zamunda flag-decorated costume as she uses her fighting skills against her father.
Carter was particularly pleased with the opportunity to spend much of Murphy other characters included Coming 2 America. He is known for moving shape through his films, and Murphy also plays singer Randy Watson and – surprisingly Oprah – some of the most influential people in the workshop scenes. “She couldn’t believe it,” Murphy continued Jimmy Kimmel Live when you remember the story. “And she’s seen the original Coming to America and [its sequel] and was unknown at this time. “
Carter tells OprahMag.com that her proud moment on the project did not come in creating Prince Akeem ‘s costume, but in switching between looks.
“Creating a suit for him feels great because he has played so many characters in the past. So my proud moment came after decorating him in all the glorious looks of King Akeem and then removing the “royal” and decorating him as Sal in the shop and then Randy Watson , “Carter says.
Carter was particularly fond of Randy Watson’s blue scene, inspired by Elvis, which was revealed in the final scene of the film. “Sex Chocolate made me crack. When I handed Eddie the sketch on a set he took it around showing it to other people laughing. I knew then that he was going to work,” she says. “30 years later, Eddie Murphy still makes us laugh.”
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For Carter, this moment was also the result of everything she wanted in her career. “It occurred to me that I was experiencing the dream of the amazing costume designer: Creating characters through costume,” she says.
See all Coming 2 America costumes, along with Black panther‘s, at Carter ‘s exhibition on Afrofuturism in costume design, is currently on display at SCAD in Atlanta through September.
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