'Black Panther' costume designer speaks out about 'surreal' Oscar win

Ruth Carter made Oscars history Sunday night, becoming the first black woman to ever win the award for best costume design for her work in the film "Black Panther."

The first-time Academy Award winner spoke about her "new man" in an exclusive backstage interview with ABC News' Lara Spencer for "Good Morning America," saying it felt "surreal."

"I just can't believe it," she added. "It's like years of ... work and love and care."

Being able "to bring the tribes into a futuristic film was an honor," Carter said about bringing Wakanda to life.

"This entire team was supportive and I feel like that's what makes it so super special," she said of the cast and crew of "Black Panther."

"Marvel may have created the first black superhero but through costume design, we turned him into an African king," Carter said during her acceptance speech.

"It's been my life's honor to create costumes," she added.

Carter also thanked the Academy for "honoring African royalty and the empowered way women can look and lead onscreen."

Earlier this year, Carter told ABC News Live how her team used 3-D printing technology to create some of the most intricate details of the costumes for the film.