Now in its 175th year, Angels Costumes has worked closely with some of film, television and theatre’s most pre-eminent figures, from Alfred Hitchcock and Steven Spielberg to Laurence Olivier, Maggie Smith, Michael Caine, Johnny Depp, Daniel Craig, Cate Blanchett, and Kate Winslett. This new tour coincides with the release of Behind the Seams (RRP £30), a book that weaves together the history of costume, the company, and London’s entertainment industry.
Offering an insider’s view of a fully-functioning professional costume house, visitors will see examples of outfits from films and television shows such as Shakespeare in Love, The Lady in the Van, Elizabeth, Charge of the Light Brigade, Downton Abbey, Sharpe and Game of Thrones.
In 2016, Angels Costumes was awarded an Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award by BAFTA, in recognition of the company’s integral role in the film industry since its inception in the early twentieth century. Angels has also worked on 36 films that have won an Oscar for Best Costume Design, 32 films and 34 television shows that have been awarded a BAFTA for costume, as well as countless theatre and television projects such as Wicked, The King and I, Warhorse, Call the Midwife and Poldark.
To reserve a place on a forthcoming tour for only £20 per person, visit www.angels.uk.com
About the Tour:
This unique tour will begin in the Tailoring and Ladies Making departments, where bespoke pieces are created for film, TV and theatre productions. Next up is the Alterations section, where costumes are restored and altered to fit the specific requirements of the Costume Designer. The tour will also take in the cavernous Costume Warehouse, containing over 8 miles of costume hanging rails and approximately one million individual items.
Visitors will then be able to meander through the Uniform sections – both military and civilian – as well as the Badge Room. Expect to find fairies and flappers jostling for shelf-space amongst Batman and banana costumes, along with a whole array of other packet costumes belonging to fancydress.com. Finally, tours move down to the main floor of the collection, where visitors will be led through rack upon rack of period, modern and contemporary clothing that makes up the bulk of the Angels collection. Spaces on these tours will be strictly limited, so pre-booking is essential. While not designed as a research visit, bespoke tours for individuals or groups can also be arranged upon request.
Company Background:
Established in 1840, Angels Costumes is the world’s largest professional costume house, with customers from London’s Theatreland to Broadway, and Pinewood Studios to Hollywood. Angels is one the most well-respected and celebrated companies in the industry, providing costumes for everything from theatre, TV and film, to photo shoots, advertisements, and music videos.
Angels Costumes is a seventh-generation family business, led by Chairman Tim Angel OBE, who has also served as Chairman of BAFTA and Governor of the BFI. Tim’s three children also work within the business: Daniel as Costume Director, Emma as Director of Angels Fancy Dress, and Jeremy who is Creative Director.
Angels has worked on 36 productions awarded an Oscar for Best Costume Design, from Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet in 1948 to The Grand Budapest Hotel in 2015. Angels has also worked on a number of award-winning television shows such as Brideshead Revisited, Dad’s Army, Morecambe and Wise and, more recently, Doctor Thorne, and The Crown.
All tours commence at 2.30pm and places must be booked in advance via tours@angels.uk.com
