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New York, NY – December 11, 2025 – TDF, the not-for-profit organization dedicated to sharing the power of the performing arts with everyone, is pleased to announce the return of Costumes & Cocktails, a glamorous party and benefit celebrating its exceptional Costume Collection, on Monday, April 13, 2026 at TAO Downtown (92 Ninth Avenue). The evening will also include the presentation of the 2026 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards, celebrating the accomplishments of the theatrical design community.

Oscar^®, Emmy^®, and two-time Tony^® Award-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell will be honored with the TDF/Irene Sharaff Award for Sustained Excellence in Costume Design; two-time Tony^®-nominated costume designer Jennifer Moeller will receive the TDF/Irene Sharaff Ascending Artist Award; hair and wig designer Tom Watson will receive the TDF/Irene Sharaff Artisan Award; and scenic and costume designer and artist John Macfarlane will be honored with The Robert L. B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design.

“TDF’s first-ever Costumes & Cocktails was such a fun and fabulous celebration of our community, we couldn’t wait to do it again,” said TDF's Executive Director Deeksha Gaur. "We're thrilled to fete this extraordinary group of Irene Sharaff Award honorees and to celebrate the TDF Costume Collection and its profound impact on our community. We hope you will join us in raising a glass and continuing our mission of making theatre accessible for all.”

Additional details for the event, as well as the awards presenters, will be announced at a later date. Click here to download the honorees’ headshots.

TDF/IRENE SHARAFF AWARDS VOTING COMMITTEE

The awardees were selected by the TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards Voting Committee, which consists of leading members of the theatrical costume design community: Stephen Cabral (Chair), Dede Ayite, Gregg Barnes, Linda Cho, Traci DiGesu, Jess Goldstein, Wilberth Gonzalez, Rodney Gordon, Brian Hemesath, Allen Lee Hughes, Holly Hynes, Dan Lawson, Katherine Marshall, Mimi Maxmen, David Murin, Sally Ann Parsons, Scott Pask, Alejo Vietti, Court Watson, and David Zinn.

Throughout her long and distinguished career, costume designer Irene Sharaff was known for her elegance and attention to detail. Ms. Sharaff was revered as a designer of enormous depth and intelligence, equally secure with contemporary and period costumes. Her work exemplified the best of costume design. Such excellence is demonstrated by the honorees of this year's TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards.

ABOUT THE AWARDS:

The TDF/Irene Sharaff Award for Sustained Excellence in Costume Design (formerly the Lifetime Achievement Award in Costume Design) was first presented to the legendary Ms. Sharaff in 1993. It is bestowed annually to a costume designer who has achieved great distinction. The award is presented to a designer whose work embodies the qualities of excellence represented in Ms. Sharaff's lifework: a keen sense of color, a feeling for material and texture, an eye for shape and form, and a sure command of the craft. The awardee's achievement may stem from work for the theatre, opera, dance, film, or—as was true of Ms. Sharaff—from all of them together.

Previous winners of the TDF/Irene Sharaff Award for Sustained Excellence in Costume Design are Desmond Heeley (1994), Miles White (1996), Alvin Colt (1996), Patricia Zipprodt (1997), Jane Greenwood (1998), Willa Kim (1999), Ann Roth (2000), Freddy Wittop (2001), Theoni V. Aldredge (2002), Jose Varona (2003), Anthony Powell (2004), Florence Klotz (2005), Lester Polakov (2006), Bob Mackie (2007), Robert Fletcher (2008), William Ivey Long (2009), Albert Wolsky (2010), Lewis Brown (2011), Carrie Robbins (2012), David Toser (2013), Deborah M. Dryden (2014), Jess Goldstein (2015), Susan Tsu (2016), Catherine Zuber (2017), Holly Hynes (2018), Susan Hilferty (2019), Fred Voelpel (2022), Ann Hould-Ward (2024), and Gregg Barnes (2025).

The Robert L. B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design (formerly the Lifetime Achievement Award in Theatrical Design) honors its namesake and symbolizes Tobin's passion, respect, and esteem for the art of theatrical design. Recipients have achieved distinction in theatrical design and their work serves as an example of the beauty, feeling, and empathy that's created through true mastery of this art.

The Robert L. B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design was first presented in 2004 to acclaimed set and costume designer Tony Walton. The award has since been presented to Robert O'Hearn (2005), Franco Zeffirelli (2006), Santo Loquasto (2007), John Conklin (2008), Bob Crowley (2009), Ming Cho Lee (2010), Robin Wagner (2011), Lloyd Burlingame (2012), Desmond Heeley (2013), Marjorie Bradley Kellogg (2014), Douglas W. Schmidt (2015), Michael Yeargan (2016), Tony Straiges (2017), Zack Brown (2018), John Lee Beatty (2019), Eugene Lee (2022), Richard Hudson (2024), and Robert Israel (2025).

The TDF/Irene Sharaff Ascending Artist Award (formerly the Young Master Award and the TDF/Kitty Leech Ascending Artist Award) is presented to a designer whose promising work has come to fruition. With this honor, we recognize Irene Sharaff’s wish to see designers encouraged as they achieve success and excellence in the field.

The TDF/Irene Sharaff Ascending Artist Award was previously bestowed upon Gregg Barnes (1994), Toni-Leslie James (1996), Paul Tazewell (1997), Martin Pakledinaz (1998), Suzy Benzinger (1999), Robert Perdziola (2000), Constance Hoffman (2001), Jonathan Bixby & Gregory Gale (2002), Anita Yavich (2003), Mirena Rada (2004), David Zinn (2005), Emilio Sosa (2006), Murell Horton (2007), Fabio Toblini (2008), Clint Ramos (2009), Alejo Vietti (2010), Olivera Gajic (2011), Mathew LeFebvre (2012), Daniel Lawson (2013), Linda Cho (2014), Brian Hemesath (2015), Suttirat Anne Larlarb (2016), Paloma Young (2017), Travis Halsey (2018), Miodrag Guberinic (2019), Dede Ayite (2022) Machine Dazzle (2024), and Wilberth Gonzalez (2025).

The TDF/Irene Sharaff Artisan Award recognizes an individual or company that has made an outstanding supportive contribution in the field of costume technology. Honorees include assistant and associate costume designers, costume shops that transform sketches into glorious and breathtaking realities, teachers who dedicate their lives to turning raw talent into professional accomplished designers, and authors who create essential texts and trade publications without which designers could not function.

The TDF/Irene Sharaff Artisan Award was previously given to Ray Diffen (1999), Woody Shelp (2000), Barbara Matera (2001), Paul Huntley (2002), Maria Brizzi/Grace Costumes, Inc. (2003), Nino Novellino (2004), Vincent Zullo (2005), Martin Izquierdo (2006), Kermit Love (2007), Bessie Nelson (2008), Sally Ann Parsons (2009), John David Ridge (2010), Michael-Jon Costumes (2011), Lynn Pecktal (2012), Lawrence Vrba (2013), Marianne Krostyne (2014), Gino Bifulco – T.O. Dey Shoes (2015), Liz Covey & Rosemary Ingham (2016), Ernest Smith (2017), Fritz Masten (2018), Rodney Gordon (2019), Michael Curry (2022), Tricorne, Inc. (2024), and Arnold S. Levine, Inc. (2025).

ABOUT THE AWARDEES:

JOHN MACFARLANE (The Robert L. B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design) studied at Glasgow School of Art and pursues careers in theatre and painting. His many opera designs include Peter Grimes, Die Zauberflöte, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, and L'heure espagnole/Gianni Schicchi (Royal Opera); Hansel and Gretel (WNO/The Metropolitan Opera, New York); The Queen of Spades (WNO); War and Peace (Opéra Bastille); La Clemenza di Tito (Paris Opéra); Trojans (ENO); Don Giovanni (La Monnaie/San Francisco); Elektra and Rusalka (Chicago Lyric Opera); The Rake's Progress (Scottish Opera); Maria Stuarda, Tosca, The Flying Dutchman, and Agrippina (all for The Metropolitan Opera); and recently Macbeth (Chicago).

Dance designs include numerous works for Jiří Kylián, Sir Peter Wright's Giselle (The Royal Ballet, London); Glen Tetley's La Ronde and Liam Scarlett's Frankenstein, Asphodel Meadows, Sweet Violets, and The Age of Anxiety (The Royal Ballet); Hummingbird (San Francisco Ballet). He also created The Nutcracker for Sir Peter Wright and Cinderella (both at Birmingham Royal Ballet). In 2018, he designed the sets and costumes for Swan Lake (The Royal Ballet).

He is a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. In 2015 (Hummingbird) and in 2019 (Swan Lake) he was awarded the Designer Laureate of Benois de la Danse (Moscow). In 2021, John was awarded Outstanding Creative Contribution by the Critics Circle at the National Dance Awards (London).

His published works include John Macfarlane: Theatre Design and Studio (Graffeg Books, 2024).

JENNIFER MOELLER (TDF/Irene Sharaff Ascending Artist Award) For more than two decades, Jennifer has built a career defined by vivid, character-driven design in work that spans Broadway, Off Broadway, regional theatre, opera, and television. She received Tony^® nominations for her work on Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of Camelot at Lincoln Center Theater and Lynn Nottage’s Clyde’s, for which she won a Drama Desk Award. Other Broadway credits include All In: Comedy About Love, McNeal, Sweat, and Pictures From Home. Jennifer has honed her ability to reinterpret historical aesthetics for contemporary audiences through shows like the genre-bending “Dickinson” on Apple TV+, where she mixed period authenticity with modern whimsy. She has worked extensively in regional theatres around the country, including the Guthrie, The Old Globe, the Goodman, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the McCarter, and the Shakespeare Theatre Company, where she was named an Affiliated Artist. Recent designs include Bat Boy: The Musical at New York City Center, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay at The Metropolitan Opera, and Dolly: A True Original Musical about the life of Dolly Parton. Jennifer is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama.

PAUL TAZEWELL (TDF/Irene Sharaff Award for Sustained Excellence in Costume Design)Oscar^®, Emmy^®, and two-time Tony^® Award-winning designer Paul Tazewell is a defining creative force in theatre, film, and fashion. Tazewell is best known for his acclaimed costume design for the 2024 film adaptation of Wicked, including Glinda’s pink bubble dress, which took more than 225 hours to create. In spring 2025, he made history as the first Black man to win the Academy Award^® for Best Costume Design, in addition to a BAFTA, a Critics Choice Award, and a Costume Designers Guild Award. Tazewell continued his work in the world of Oz as costume designer for the second installment, Wicked: For Good, released in November 2025. He has been nominated for a Critics Choice Award for his work in the second film.

He returns to the stage this winter as costume designer for the revival of Anna Christie, opening on December 11, 2025 at St. Ann’s Warehouse and starring Michelle Williams. The play, directed by Thomas Kail, will run through February 1, 2026.

Across his three-decade career, Tazewell has designed more than 30 Broadway productions, including Hamilton (2016 Tony Award^®), Death Becomes Her (2025 Tony Award^®), In the Heights, and The Color Purple. His screen credits include West Side Story (Oscar^® nomination), Harriet, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and television events such as “The Wiz Live!” (Emmy Award^®). Tazewell also brought his aesthetic to the 2025 Met Gala, creating standout custom looks for both Janelle Monáe and Chappell Roan.

TOM WATSON (TDF/Irene Sharaff Artisan Award)
Tom has designed for Broadway, Off Broadway, regional theatre, and opera. He was the wig and makeup department head at The Metropolitan Opera for 17 years. In addition to the operas, he was responsible for more than 100 Live in HD transmissions.

His early work was mainly in opera where he had the privilege to work with some amazing directors—Colin Graham, Jonathan Miller, Mark Lamos, and Francesca Zambello, to name a few. Tom has also worked alongside legendary designers such as Jane Greenwood, Catherine Zuber, and John Conklin.

Tom has traveled the world to work with opera and theatre companies including Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Opera Omaha, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Philadelphia, and Seattle Opera. Theatre companies include ART, The Public, Lincoln Center, The Old Globe, and many more.

Tom has designed more than 100 Broadway productions. You can see his work in Wicked, The King and I, Fiddler on the Roof, Oslo, Falsettos, My Fair Lady, The Little Foxes, Plaza Suite, Rock of Ages, Parade, Just In Time, Floyd Collins, Ragtime, and Spamalot.

TDF wishes to thank its charitable sponsors, who play an essential role in making this event possible. Costumes & Cocktails is generously supported by the Tobin Theatre Arts Fund, a stalwart supporter of the TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards for 20 years.

THE TDF COSTUME COLLECTION consists of the TDF Costume Collection Rental Program and the TDF Costume Collection Archives and Research Program. The Rental Program maintains an extensive inventory of more than 100,000 costumes and accessories for rent at discount prices by any not-for-profit theatre company, opera company, university, high school, religious group, etc. The Collection also provides costumes to commercial projects, like film, television, and photo shoots. The Collection resides in a 16,000-square-foot home at Kaufman Astoria Studios. It stocks all periods and accepts donations from productions, institutions, and individuals. These donations are tax deductible to the degree allowed by law. The Archives and Research Program provides resources for those looking to study the art of theatrical costume design by utilizing the Costume Collection’s study rooms, which include a vast archive of historical theatrical costumes, sketches, show bibles, and assorted design ephemera.

ABOUT TDF: Founded in 1968, TDF (Theatre Development Fund) is a not-for-profit service organization dedicated to sharing the power of the performing arts with everyone. TDF’s mission is to engage a broad and diverse audience by removing the financial, physical, and invisible barriers to participation in the performing arts. TDF’s initiatives include the TKTS by TDF Discount Booths; TDF Memberships; the TDF Costume Collection; and TDF Accessibility, Education, and Community Programs. Those Programs include open captioned, audio described, and ASL-interpreted performances; Autism Friendly Performances; the Veterans Theatregoing Program; school programs serving more than 11,000 NYC public school students annually; and partnerships with over 150 NYC community organizations serving 18,000 people in the tristate area. TDF welcomes NYC’s vibrant communities to the theatre because experiencing the performing arts improves mental health and social connections. Learn more about TDF at tdf.org.

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