Filmmaker James Cameron has been named the recipient of the Distinguished Collaborator Award at the 28th Costume Designers Guild Awards, recognizing his strong commitment to costume design and creative partnerships. The announcement highlights Cameron’s influential role in supporting this artistic field ahead of the ceremony scheduled for February 12, 2026, in Los Angeles.
Recognition for a Dedicated Collaborator in Costume Design
The Distinguished Collaborator Award celebrates individuals who show steadfast dedication to costume design and work closely with costume designers. Cameron joins an esteemed list of previous honorees such as Clint Eastwood, Guillermo del Toro, Quentin Tarantino, Meryl Streep, Lorne Michaels, Joel Schumacher, Rob Marshall, Helen Mirren, and Ryan Murphy, all noted for their collaborative spirit within the craft.
Terry Gordon, President of the Costume Designers Guild, praised Cameron’s contributions, stating,
“James Cameron doesn’t just build worlds — he builds cultures with costumes, histories. His partnership with Oscar-winning costume designer Deborah L. Scott and collaboration with many other designers is a testament to the way he recognizes costume design as storytelling, bringing identity and character to life. For that unwavering respect for our art and for the creative partnership he brings the Costume Designers Guild is proud to honor James Cameron with our Distinguished Collaborator Award.”
Impact Through Film and Beyond
James Cameron’s collaboration with designers has played a pivotal role in the success of his visually immersive movies, particularly the Avatar series. The original 2009 film and its 2022 sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, rank among the highest-grossing films ever, earning $2.9 billion and $2.3 billion worldwide, respectively. This ongoing franchise features notable performances by actors Sam Worthington as Jake Sully and Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri, with Saldaña becoming the highest-grossing actress to date thanks to these films.
Beyond his filmmaking accolades, Cameron is also recognized as a National Geographic Explorer in Residence and a record-setting deep-sea explorer, using his platform to advocate for environmental sustainability and innovation.
Upcoming Event and Additional Honorees
The 28th Costume Designers Guild Awards will be held at The Ebell of Los Angeles. Alongside James Cameron, other honorees include Michelle Cole, receiving the Career Achievement Award, Teyana Taylor as Vanguard Spotlight Award recipient, and Kate Hudson honored with the Spotlight Award. The guild’s recent nominations feature titles such as One Battle After Another, Sinners, Weapons, Avatar: Fire and Ash, and Bugonia.
The event promises live announcements of winners across nine competitive categories, with the full list of presenters and the host to be revealed soon. This ceremony celebrates the artistry and collaborative efforts that define costume design in the film industry.
