Dede Ayite Makes History as First Black Woman to Win Tony Award for Best Costume Design in Play
Dede Ayite has made history as the first Black woman to win a Tony Award for best costume design of a play at the 2024 Tony Awards.
Although she was nominated for her work on several shows, Ayite secured the win for her contributions to the now-closed production of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.
The play, which premiered in October 2023 and ended the following month, is set in a vibrant Harlem salon where immigrant hair braiders from West Africa create intricate hairstyles for local women amidst challenging circumstances that force the community to address their outsider status in a place they call home.
Written by Jocelyn Bioh, Jaja’s was nominated for five awards at the 2024 Tonys.
During her acceptance speech, Ayite, who was also nominated in the same category for her work on Appropriate and in the best costume design of a musical category for Hell’s Kitchen, expressed gratitude towards her family, including her brother in Ghana, as well as her collaborators. She recognized Bioh for creating such a beautiful piece and the costume shops and makers for their contributions, saying, “without them I would not be here and the show would not look as amazing as it does.”
Reflecting on her historic win backstage, Ayite described it as a “huge” achievement.
She emphasized the importance of perseverance for aspiring creatives, stating, “Tell the stories that matter to you, tell the story that you find value in, and the moment will meet you.” Ayite acknowledged the supportive community that has rallied behind her, emphasizing that the win was a collective effort.