The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Hamptons International Film Festival honored costume designer Ann Roth at this year’s 20th festival. It was a fitting tribute for a woman who has earned every bit respect and legendary status she has in a career that spans over 30 years.

Presenters and guest speakers attending to honor Roth included Meryl Streep, Nathan Lane, Mike Nichols, and Hamptons Film Festival Board Chairman, Alec Baldwin.

The event started with a short film of highlights  that included The English Patient and The Talented Mr. Ripley followed by a short featuring the breathtaking work of Ann Roth  work. The clip was chock full of memorable moments in Roth’s career including the famous prosthetic nose Nicole Kidman wore in The Hours and a presentation at the Oscars when Roth won the award for The English Patient. Her speech at the Oscars was simple and inspiring. “We had designers from Tunisia, Italy and the US. Costumers know no boundaries,” said Roth in her Oscar speech. Inspiring indeed.

After a visual celebration of her life and extensive contribution to costume design and film, Ann Roth came out on stage to a much-deserved standing ovation. It was quite a moment.

CNN Fashion Editor, Alina Cho (@AlinaChoCNN) proceeded to interview a somewhat reserved but ever-so-witty Roth. The interview was an intriguing look into Roth’s creative process. The costumes she designs are a combination of her take on the writing and the director’s vision. Roth looks for a story behind every use of clothing — does the character put it on a chair, on the floor, where was it made, what did the character do in it before the story started? This is a process that Roth calls the “truth of clothing.” She acknowledges that there were a lot of opinions about the nose, “but one of them one an Academy Award.”

The evening continued with an appearance by actor Nathan Lane who did a hysterical tribute to Roth. Next, Mike Nichols, who has known Roth for 47 years, gave us a peek into Roth, the woman and friend. Last, but certainly not least, Meryl Streep arrived and brought lots of energy and  jokes. As if this weren’t enough, Streep  read a poem she wrote, Ode to Ann.

It was a wonderful and enlightening evening honoring a profession in the entertainment industry who has earned the respect of coleauges over a career spanning four decades. Congratulations to Ann Roth for receiving this honor and thank you for bringing the magic of imagination and filmmaking to each and every one of us!