Gayety

Tag: Paul Tazewell

  • Chappell Roan Auctions Upcycled Red Carpet Look for Pride, Benefiting LGBTQ+ Youth

    Chappell Roan Auctions Upcycled Red Carpet Look for Pride, Benefiting LGBTQ+ Youth

    Just in time for Pride Month, breakout music icon and queer fashion trailblazer Chappell Roan is turning a powerful red carpet moment into a charitable movement.

    Fans can now bid on pieces from Roan’s now-iconic upcycled ensemble—originally designed for a major fashion event earlier this spring—through her official eBay storefront. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Ali Forney Center, a New York-based nonprofit that supports LGBTQ+ and at-risk youth with housing, health care, and community services.

    The show-stopping outfit, a collaboration between Roan’s team and Oscar-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell, was crafted entirely from vintage items sourced on eBay. Styled by Genesis Webb, the look not only redefined red carpet glamour but also championed the values of circular fashion—sustainability, creativity, and history woven into every stitch.

    Chappell Roan’s iconic upcycled look—created and styled entirely with items sourced from eBay—unlocks one-of-a-kind pieces while championing circular fashion.
    Chappell Roan’s iconic upcycled look—created and styled entirely with items sourced from eBay—unlocks one-of-a-kind pieces while championing circular fashion.

    A Fashion Moment with Meaning

    Roan first debuted the upcycled look in May 2025, drawing headlines for its one-of-a-kind design and commitment to sustainability. Now, the outfit that captivated fashion critics and fans alike is being offered to the public through eBay’s From the Collection series, a curated initiative that connects shoppers to exclusive drops from major style icons.

    Among the items now available for bidding:

    • A custom blazer and pants designed by Paul Tazewell

    • A pair of black leather boots worn by Roan

    • Select luxury accessories, including a watch and ring worn during the original appearance

    This release marks a rare opportunity for fans to own a true piece of fashion history—crafted by an award-winning designer, worn by one of pop music’s fastest-rising queer stars, and dedicated to a vital cause.

    Chappell Roan: “This Garment Had So Many Lives Before Me”

    In a statement shared ahead of the auction launch, Roan expressed deep gratitude for the creative process behind the outfit and the cause it now supports. “My incredible suit tonight was designed by the incomparable Paul Tazewell. My entire outfit is fully upcycled from individual eBay items. The entire team worked so hard, and I am beyond grateful to wear a garment that has had so many lives before me,” said Roan.

    Later, in a follow-up message, Roan added:“I’m so excited that the money raised from my eBay signature collection is going to support the Ali Forney Center. They do such amazing work to provide housing, medical services, and social support to LGBTQ+ youth in New York City.”

    The singer, who has built a reputation not only for her genre-defying sound but also her fierce advocacy for queer youth and gender nonconformity, is using her platform to elevate issues close to her heart—particularly around sustainability and LGBTQ+ visibility.

    Paul Tazewell: “It’s Not Just Fashion—It’s Storytelling”

    For Paul Tazewell, known for his costume work on Hamilton, West Side Story, and Harriet, the collaboration with Roan offered a new dimension to his career-long love of fashion that tells a story. “As a designer, I’m drawn to pieces that already have a life,” said Tazewell. “Working with vintage materials from eBay let me build something entirely new while honoring what came before. It’s not just fashion—it’s storytelling. Every detail in Chappell’s look carries history, intention, and a bit of magic.”

    Tazewell’s creation exemplifies the spirit of circular fashion—a movement that encourages recycling, reimagining, and reusing fashion items to reduce waste and extend the life of garments. In pairing sustainability with celebrity-level design, the collaboration sends a powerful message to the industry: fashion can be ethical and extraordinary.

    eBay’s “From the Collection” Supports Style with Substance

    Chappell Roan’s auction is the latest installment of eBay’s “From the Collection” series, which has previously featured pieces from high-profile names across fashion and entertainment. The program reinforces eBay’s longstanding commitment to pre-loved fashion, stretching back over 30 years of offering rare and collectible style finds to a global audience.

    In 2024, the platform launched eBay Endless Runway at New York Fashion Week, showcasing secondhand and vintage looks styled to rival those of any luxury house. Roan’s curated auction continues this momentum by marrying red carpet glamour with real-world impact.

    Supporting the Ali Forney Center

    Founded in 2002, the Ali Forney Center is the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness. The organization provides transitional housing, mental health services, job readiness training, and emergency medical care for thousands of young people annually—90% of whom are youth of color.

    Chappell Roan’s decision to donate 100% of auction proceeds to the center reflects her continued commitment to marginalized communities, especially during Pride Month, when queer visibility is more important than ever.

    How to Bid

    Fans and fashion lovers can now place their bids at Chappell Roan’s eBay storefront through the end of Pride Month. With items ranging from one-of-a-kind designer garments to statement-making accessories, the auction promises not only a chance to own part of Roan’s legacy but also to give back meaningfully to LGBTQ+ youth in need.

  • Cynthia Erivo, Cole Escola and Rainbow-Studded Chorus Boys: The Queerest Moments from The 2025 Tony Awards

    Cynthia Erivo, Cole Escola and Rainbow-Studded Chorus Boys: The Queerest Moments from The 2025 Tony Awards

    At this point, asking whether the Tony Awards are queer is like asking if Broadway has ever met a jazz square. The answer is a resounding yes, darling. But even by its own rhinestone-encrusted standards, the 78th Annual Tony Awards delivered a sparkling showcase of LGBTQ+ excellence, drama, and cheeky acceptance speeches that had us cheering louder than a stage mom on opening night.

    From historic wins and glittering gowns to impromptu dating app shoutouts and numbers choreographed “for the gaze” (not the gaze, the gays), this year’s Tonys offered a masterclass in fabulousness. Let’s pull back the curtain on the most iconic queer moments that had us tossing roses at our screens.

    Cynthia Erivo Hosted, and Her Wardrobe Deserved Its Own Tony

    Let’s get one thing straight, Cynthia Erivo is not. But also, she’s not just a host. She’s a moment. Fresh off a WorldPride concert, an album drop, and promoting Wicked: For Good, Erivo moonwalked into Radio City Music Hall and somehow made ten outfit changes look easy.

    No opening monologue, no faux comedy routine, just pure star power, powerhouse vocals, and couture worthy of a museum. One look in particular, a glimmering red gown with white satin trim, gave heavy Annie-meets-Elphaba energy. It was co-designed by Zac Posen and Jason Bolden, but the real magic was Erivo’s calm, commanding presence.

    Someone give her dresser a Lifetime Achievement Award. Stat.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP8YtvXHxAw

    Jonathan Groff Straddles Keanu, Remains Dry

    Groff may not have taken home a trophy this year (Darren Criss beat him for Maybe Happy Ending), but he still delivered a high-octane tribute to Bobby Darin in Just in Time. Known for sweat-soaked performances that require a splash zone warning, Groff miraculously stayed dry while serenading, then straddling, Keanu Reeves.

    Waterproof Groff is still gay rights.

    Cole Escola Makes Tony History, Thanks Grindr

    Cole Escola, comedian, playwright, wig enthusiast, stole the show and the Tony for Best Leading Actor in a Play for Oh, Mary!, becoming the first non-binary actor to do so. Dressed in a custom silver Wiederhoeft gown with enough sparkle to blind George Clooney (who was also nominated), Escola offered the queerest acceptance speech of the night.

    “Hi Mom. I love you. I’ll call when I can. Oh, and thank you to T-Bone from Grindr,” Escola quipped, casually cementing their legacy and their contact list in Tony history.

    Oh, Mary! also snagged Best Direction for Sam Pinkleton and delivered a delightfully deranged take on Mary Todd Lincoln’s inner turmoil. It’s queer. It’s weird. It’s wonderful.

    Hue Park Winsand Announces He’s Single

    Maybe Happy Ending swept the Tonys with six wins, including Best Musical and Best Score, thanks to the writing duo of Will Aronson and Hue Park. During one of many acceptance speeches, Park charmingly let the world know he’s single. That tidbit echoed through the evening, with presenters and winners giving it playful shoutouts.

    Cue the DM flood.

    Jinkx Monsoon Pirates the Stage

    Drag legend and two-time Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon took to the stage as a pirate wench in Pirates! A Penzance Musical alongside David Hyde Pierce. Was the show snubbed? Sadly, yes. Was Jinkx playing a washboard in full swashbuckler drag a peak moment of the night? Absolutely.

    Death Becomes Her Gives a Dazzling Queer-Encapsulated Performance and Paul Tazewell is on a Roll!

    While we didn’t get BOOP! The Musical (justice for Betty!), we were gifted the gloriously camp spectacle of Death Becomes Her’s number “For the Gaze.” Picture Liza Minnelli doing a costume-change challenge with backup dancers in rainbow sequins and you’re still only halfway there.

    Madeline Ashton, multiple wigs, and a final tableau that probably left several straight viewers emotionally unprepared, Broadway’s never been more in on the joke. Choreographer Christopher Gattelli really said, “Subtlety? Never met her.”

    Costume designer Paul Tazewell earned a Tony for his breathtaking work on the show, adding to a trophy shelf that already includes a BAFTA and an Oscar for Wicked. Tazewell made history as the first Black man to win an Academy Award for Costume Design and remains a trailblazer in every sense.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_S_JjZh76s

    Harvey Fierstein Finally Gets His Flowers

    Harvey Fierstein already had four Tonys, but the Special Lifetime Achievement Award was long overdue. Though his award wasn’t televised (rude!), the moment was still monumental. Fierstein’s decades of blazing trails, be it with Torch Song Trilogy, La Cage aux Folles, or simply existing unapologetically, paved the yellow brick road for this new queer wave of thespians and theater connoisseurs.

    Tears were shed were definitely shed in this poignant moment.

    Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and Francis Jue Round Out the Rainbow

    Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Purpose won Best Play, adding to his Pulitzer Prize haul. Meanwhile, veteran actor Francis Jue won hearts (and critical acclaim) for his role in Yellow Face, reminding us all that queer Asian excellence has always been part of Broadway’s DNA.

    Curtain Call

    From Cynthia’s 10 looks to Cole’s historic win and Jinkx’s pirate couture, the 2025 Tony Awards proved once again that queerness isn’t just part of Broadway, it is Broadway. And as long as we have chorus boys in sequins and monologues that end with “I’d like to thank Grindr,” the theater will be in fabulous hands.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBtzq3C-Wlc

    Full List of Winner Below

    Best Musical

    • Maybe Happy Ending

    Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

    • Nicole Scherzinger, Sunset Blvd.

    Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

    • Darren Criss, Maybe Happy Ending

    Best Revival of a Musical

    • Sunset Blvd.

    Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

    • Cole Escola, Oh, Mary!

    Best Direction of a Musical

    • Michael Arden, Maybe Happy Ending

    Best Direction of a Play

    • Sam Pinkleton, Oh, Mary!

    Best Revival of a Play

    • Eureka Day, Jonathan Spector

    Best Play

    • Purpose

    Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

    • Natalie Venetia Belcon, Buena Vista Social Club

    Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

    • Kara Young, Purpose

    Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

    • Jak Malone, Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical

    Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

    • Francis Jue, Yellow Face

    Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

    • Sarah Snook, The Picture of Dorian Gray

    Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

    • Maybe Happy Ending, Will Aronson (music and lyrics) and Hue Park (lyrics)

    Best Costume Design of a Musical

    • Paul Tazewell, Death Becomes Her

    Best Costume Design of a Play

    • Marg Horwell, The Picture of Dorian Gray

    Best Scenic Design of a Musical

    • Dane Laffrey and George Reeve, Maybe Happy Ending

    Best Scenic Design of a Play

    • Miriam Buether and 59, Stranger Things: The First Shadow

    Best Lighting Design of a Musical

    • Jack Knowles, Sunset Blvd.

    Best Lighting Design of a Play

    • Jon Clark, Stranger Things: The First Shadow

    Best Choreography

    • Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck, Buena Vista Social Club

    Best Orchestrations

    • Marco Paguia, Buena Vista Social Club

    Best Sound Design of a Musical

    • Jonathan Deans, Buena Vista Social Club

    Best Book of a Musical

    • Maybe Happy Ending, Will Aronson and Hue Park

    Best Sound Design of a Play

    • Paul Arditti, Stranger Things: The First Shadow
  • Paul Tazewell Makes History at the 97th Academy Awards as The First Black Man to Win Best Costume Design for ‘Wicked’

    Paul Tazewell Makes History at the 97th Academy Awards as The First Black Man to Win Best Costume Design for ‘Wicked’

    Paul Tazewell has made history at the 2025 Academy Awards, becoming the first Black man to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design. Tazewell earned the prestigious honor for his work on Wicked, the highly anticipated film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. The award, presented during the 97th annual Academy Awards on March 2, marks a significant milestone in Tazewell’s career and in the history of the Oscars.

    “This is absolutely astounding. Thank you, Academy, for this very significant honor,” Tazewell, 60, said in his acceptance speech. “I’m the first Black man to receive the costume design award for my work on Wicked. I’m so proud of this.”

    Tazewell’s win comes just a few years after Ruth E. Carter made history as the first Black person to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design. Carter received the award for her groundbreaking work on Black Panther (2018) and later took home the trophy again for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). Tazewell’s victory signals a continued shift toward greater diversity in Hollywood, following in the footsteps of Carter’s groundbreaking achievements.

    This year, Tazewell faced stiff competition in the Best Costume Design category, with other nominees including Arianne Phillips (A Complete Unknown), Janty Yates and David Crossman (Gladiator II), Lisy Christl (Conclave), and Linda Muir (Nosferatu). Despite the strong field, Tazewell’s visionary work on Wicked earned him the win, underscoring his mastery in bringing larger-than-life characters to the screen through wardrobe design.

    Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu, is one of the most highly anticipated films in recent years. Tazewell’s costumes are a central element of the film’s visual storytelling, from the iconic green of Elphaba’s (played by Cynthia Erivo) ensemble to the sparkling pinks and blues of Glinda’s (Ariana Grande) outfits. Tazewell’s work is said to involve over 1,000 costume pieces, not only for Wicked but also for its sequel, Wicked: Part Two, which is currently in production. The film’s costumes have already garnered significant attention for their intricate design and their ability to reflect the personalities and journeys of the characters.

    Tazewell’s success at the Oscars is not his first major recognition. His work on Wicked has already earned him multiple accolades, including wins at the Critics Choice Awards, the Costume Designers Guild Awards, and the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs). These honors have further cemented his status as one of the leading figures in costume design.

    Speaking with KABC earlier in February, Tazewell reflected on the significance of his work being recognized by such esteemed institutions. “It means everything,” he said. “To have that acknowledgment, to have that approval by so many greats in our industry, it just means the world.”

    Tazewell’s career has spanned several decades and includes notable work on films like Harriet (2019) and Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (2021). His costumes in Wicked and beyond showcase his ability to blend artistry with storytelling, using fabric and design to convey complex emotions and themes.

    “I want to touch hearts, I want to change lives, I want to make a difference,” Tazewell told KABC. “And my power, my medium in doing that, is costume design. I’m passionate about it.” His passion for his craft and his belief in its ability to shape the way audiences engage with a story has driven his success in the field.

    Tazewell’s nomination for Best Costume Design at the Oscars came as part of a significant year for Wicked, which earned a total of 10 nominations across multiple categories. These included Best Picture, Best Actress for Cynthia Erivo, and Best Supporting Actress for Ariana Grande. Tazewell’s win further solidifies the film’s position as a major contender this award season.

    In a celebratory Instagram post after his BAFTA win, Tazewell expressed his “immense gratitude” for his Wicked team and collaborators. “My deepest thanks also to Jon M. Chu and Marc Platt for turning these cinematic dreams into reality. Thank you for welcoming me into the Wicked family,” Tazewell wrote. He also extended his appreciation to audiences who have embraced the intricate details of the film’s costumes. “Your recognition makes this journey even more rewarding,” he added.

    The Oscar win for Tazewell is not only a personal triumph but also a moment of representation for the Black community in Hollywood. His achievement adds to a growing list of Black creatives making history at the Academy Awards, further contributing to the ongoing conversation about diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry.

    As Tazewell continues to push the boundaries of costume design, his work on Wicked remains a testament to his dedication to his craft. Whether through the iconic costumes of Glinda and Elphaba or the hundreds of other characters that populate the film, Tazewell’s designs have left an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape. His Oscar win is just one more chapter in a career that has already redefined what it means to use fashion as a tool for storytelling.

    Fans and industry peers alike are sure to be watching closely as Tazewell continues to make his mark on Hollywood, with his upcoming work in Wicked: Part Two sure to be as groundbreaking as his Oscar-winning costumes in the first film.