NEW YORK, NY – Last night New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT), the 17th Annual Designing Women Awards Gala. The beloved event co-presented by Variety, recognizes the powerful transformations, characters and stories that backstage design teams and talent create and oversee. Designing Women’s spirited festivities bring together actors, producers, directors, writers, designers and fashion and beauty influencers, among other notable attendees, to honor the creative genius of women in the industry including renowned makeup artists, hair stylists and costume designers in film and television.

The awards presentation is always fantastic with honorees being applauded by presenters who are co-workers and friends of those nominated.

2016’s Designing Women honorees include three of the most talented female artists behind-the-scenes; among them are: Makeup Artist Anita Gibson (“Confirmation,” “Power,” “Madea’s Big Happy Family”); Hair Stylist Rose Chatterton (“The Good Wife,” “Shades of Blue,” “It’s Complicated”) and Costume Designer Sarah Edwards (“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” “Michael Clayton”)

Actor and Producer Ray Liotta, who currently stars in NBC’s “Shades of Blue” with Jennifer Lopez, presented the award to Rose Chatterton. Golden Globe Award winning Actress Maura Tierney gave Variety’s Ensemble Award to the makeup, hair and costume design teams of the much heralded Showtime series “The Affair.” And Will Arnett also presented.

“Congratulations to the other nominees. When Terry Lawler put a call in to me that NYWIFT was going to honor me I was shocked and couldn’t believe it,” stated Gibson while accepting her award. “I was humbled by that news. I was humbled that I was going to be recognized for my creative contribution to film and television. I thank everyone from NYWIFT for the tireless work you have done for this great event.”

“It is so essential to devote an evening to commemorating all of the work these women do for each other and for our industry, helping to bring rich characters and stories to audiences around the world,” says New York Women in Film & Television Executive Director Terry Lawler. “Our annual spring Designing Women event is always a lively celebration and gathering. It is just one of the myriad ways we support our female colleagues and mission.”

The lovely reception at the end of the evening at The Graduate Center of the City University of New York gave guests a special opportunity to recognize and appreciate the depth and breadth of the work these too-often unsung heroines do for their colleagues and the entertainment business every day.

Past Designing Women honorees have included designers and artists from highly acclaimed TV shows, including “Mad Men,” “The Good Wife” and “Orange Is the New Black,” and from films such as “Midnight Cowboy,” “Titanic,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Moonrise Kingdom” and “Chicago” — just to name a few.

Proceeds benefit the non-profit educational programs New York Women in Film & Television offers all year long. For more information please visit www.nywift.org.

PHOTO – Alexis Alexanian, Jessica Kirson, Anita Gibson, Lela Loren, Ray Liotta, Rose Chatterton, Sarah Edwards, Will Arnett, Maura Tierney, Caroline Duncan, Diana Sikes, Sheri Kornhaber attend the 2016 New York Women In Film & Television’s Designing Women Gala at CUNY Graduate Center on June 13, 2016 in New York City. (Getty)