In Recognition of Distinguished Service

Antoinette Messam is a highly decorated costume designer whose influence extends far beyond her celebrated body of work. A co-founder of CAFTCAD, she has spent more than two decades shaping the organization’s mission, advocating for underrepresented artists, and advancing equity within the costume design industry.

Renowned for her creative vision and technical mastery, Antoinette has consistently showcased Canadian talent on a global stage. In 2025, she received the CAFTCAD Award for Costume Design in Film & Television International for The Book of Clarence, along with a Costume Designers Guild nomination for the same film. These honors reflect the deep respect she commands among her peers.

Her career spans evocative period films such as The Book of Clarence, The Harder They Fall, and The Bluff, alongside contemporary and genre-spanning projects including Lift, Creed, Hold the Dark, and Colossal, as well as acclaimed television series like Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency and The Divide. Across every project, Antoinette brings historical integrity and contemporary resonance, forging a powerful connection between character and audience.

Beyond her screen work, Antoinette is a dedicated mentor, speaker, and advocate, sharing her expertise through panels, interviews, and industry forums such as TIFF Perspectives, with a focus on authentic representation and the power of visual storytelling.

Her leadership reaches well beyond Canada. As co-founder and President of the International Society of Black Costume Designers (ISBCD), founded in 2024, Antoinette provides global leadership in supporting and elevating Black costume designers across film, television, and theatre. Under her guidance, ISBCD has grown into an international network connecting creatives from Los Angeles to Toronto, London to Johannesburg, ensuring Black designers’ voices and visions are recognized worldwide.

In recognition of her artistic excellence, Antoinette’s career is defined by creative excellence, mentorship, and transformative leadership, leaving a lasting legacy of service to her craft and community.