The Best of British - Putting the Grit into Glamour

“An epic Shakespearean tale of hope, futility and power.” The critics loved Ridley Scott’s latest epic Gladiator II, which launched in the UK on 15 November 2024. And, while the storyline may not be scrupulously accurate (it’s Hollywood after all), the film is a substantial treat for the senses, with gripping fight scenes, treacherous politicians and strong, glamorous women.

Alongside the actors, the sets and the music, there is another crucial element of this stunning film: the costumes. Here Janty Yates, the Oscar-winning costume designer behind the original Gladiator, has once again demonstrated her expertise.

But even the most visionary designs have to be translated into reality for filming; and helping to do this for Gladiator II is Sinclair London. Founded in 2013 by Alicya Sinclair, a trailblazing Savile Row-trained tailor, Sinclair London made its name as a luxury fashion house for women. And using the meticulous and highly skilled tailoring techniques employed by its bespoke fashion, the firm also provides a highly successful costume service to the global film and TV industries with its specialist sub-brand Sinclair Productions.

Film studios are just as demanding as any private fashion client. They require absolute precision and the highest quality of finish. The process for getting costumes exactly right is complex and painstaking: designs are sent in and analysed; measurements are taken; there are numerous fittings with plenty of to-ing and fro-ing. To some extent, this mirrors the classic bespoke fashion service that Sinclair specialises in.

But costume making for film and TV isn’t just about tailoring – although those traditional craft skills are critical. Costumes need to stand up to a lot more wear and tear than the glamorous creations Sinclair provides for actresses on the red carpet at film premieres. They must endure the rigours of hot, crowded sets and very long days. This means robust tailoring that also looks great in close-up, even after repeated takes.

Accuracy is the key to success here. A single character’s outfit may require multiple duplicates: a pristine “hero” piece and several identical copies for different action scenes. There may even be copies for stunt doubles, that are indistinguishable from the original, even though they are hiding padding and attachments for harnesses.

Sinclair Productions has the capabilities to do all this, to bring costume designs to life in the film studio. This level of skill has been integral to a wide variety of productions, including The Dig, nominated for a BAFTA award for Best Costume Design. With so many film and TV credits to her name, Sinclair’s reputation has been established as a creative partner who enriches a film’s visual storytelling.

But you don’t need to be Carey Mulligan (The Dig), Connie Nielsen (Gladiator II) or Crystal Clarke (Sanditon) or to wear a Sinclair piece. The firm’s commitment to craftsmanship extends to its luxury fashion line which provides both bespoke and made-to-measure services for women.

Sinclair caters for a clientele of powerful, discerning women – leaders in technology, finance, entertainment and beyond. Offering a highly personalised service, Sinclair handcrafts individual pieces in-house, in the Savile Row tradition. Key design components include vibrant colours, sharp cuts and colour blocking: these are intended to highlight Alicya Sinclair’s clients’ unique identities. The overall mood is one of timeless elegance and sophistication, with clothing that fits like a second skin.

These are garments for “the women who do”, women who command attention in boardrooms, deliver keynote speeches at international meetings, or attend significant social events in the capitals of the world.

Alicya Sinclair’s creations do not follow fast-fashion trends. Instead they are designed to reflect the seasons or to echo the qualities of the events and occasions she is designing for. She is not afraid to challenge convention either. In 2017, she designed tailored trouser suits for the retro girl group The Tootsie Rollers, who were performing for the late Queen at Royal Ascot. The following year, for the first time ever, trouser suits became acceptable attire for women to wear in the Royal Enclosure.

Chosen by the entertainment industry for superior crafting and construction quality and by female leaders and influencers for exquisite design and matchless service, Sinclair London seamlessly bridges the worlds of film and high fashion. Whether on set or in the boardroom, Sinclair pieces are made to empower.

This article was first seen on the Business Reporter