Costume designer Sandy Powell honoured with the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship
Sandy Powell has become the first costume designer to be awarded a BAFTA Fellowship, the arts charity’s highest honour.
Powell – one of the world’s most respected costume designers – has been recognised for her outstanding and exceptional contribution to film and television. Her versatile portfolio, which spans more than three decades, includes period films such as The Favourite, The Young Victoria and Shakespeare in Love; Disney classics like Mary Poppins Returns and Cinderella; crime thrillers including The Departed, Shutter Island and The Irishman; the musical drama Velvet Goldmine; and other contemporary hits like The Wolf of Wall Street.
“I am hugely flattered to receive the BAFTA Fellowship and especially proud to be the first costume designer,” Powell said of the news. “I am lucky in that I love what I do and have been extremely fortunate to have collaborated with some of the most talented and inspirational people in the industry both behind and in front of the camera.”
“I am hugely flattered to receive the BAFTA Fellowship and especially proud to be the first costume designer,” Powell said in a statement. “I am lucky in that I love what I do and have been extremely fortunate to have collaborated with some of the most talented and inspirational people in the industry both behind and in front of the camera.”
She continued: “I look forward to many years to come.”
Born in Brixton, Powell was taught to sew by her mother and was sketching out designs for her dolls and making her own clothes from a young age. She studied at London’s Central School of Art and Design, before starting her career working for theatre companies and making costumes for music videos.
Powell received her first BAFTA nomination for Best Costume Design for her work on the period drama Orlando in 1994. Since then she’s worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, playing a vital role in helping to bring their characters to life – from Tilda Swinton and Cate Blanchett, to Janelle Monáe, Gwyneth Paltrow, Olivia Colman, Leonardo DiCaprio and Colin Firth.
Over the coming year, she will also work closely with BAFTA to inspire aspiring costume designers through the organisation's talent program. The designer will be presented the Fellowship award as part of a special commemoration of her influential work during a BAFTA ceremony that will take place at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall on 19 February.
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