Academy creates costume branch

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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Jan. 26 (UPI) -- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences board voted to create a new branch for costume designers to be headed by "Inception's" Jeffrey Kurland.

Costume designers had previously been part of the designers branch of the Academy, which includes production designers, art directors and set directors, The Hollywood Reporter said Friday.

During a meeting of the Academy's board of governors Wednesday in Beverly Hills, it was decided a new branch, just for costume designers, would be created and governed by Kurland, who was the costume designer for "Bullets Over Broadway."

"History was made at the board of governors meeting on Wednesday night with the formation of a Costume Designers Branch," he said in a statement released Friday. "Costume designers have waited a long time for recognition with branch status. As a governor representing these designers, I'm thrilled and grateful for the Academy's support."

During the same meeting, the board voted to increase the number of governors representing the makeup artists and hairstylists branch from one to three, The Hollywood Reporter reported.

An election will be held later this year to select the two people who will join Leonard Engelman as governors of the branch.

"I'm looking forward to sharing the task of representing the Academy's makeup artists and hairstylists with two of my colleagues," Engelman said. "New governors will bring new ideas, which will help to keep the Academy's leadership strong and sharp."