A sharp act
Slipping into a costume helps an actor get into character. Offstage, these players express themselves in this season’s smartest suits
Freddie Fox plays Finnegan in Paul McGuigan’s film “Victor Frankenstein”. “As an actor, clothes mean a huge amount. The first layer of character comes with what they wear; the character’s skin, if you like.” Suit : dark navy and black 3D-Jacquard optic wool-cotton blend, Pal Zileri, $2,195/£1,268. Watch: platinum-950 Malte Tourbillon with alligator strap, Vacheron Constantin, $194,000/£150,850 PHOTOGRAPHER: ULI WEBER, STYLIST: OLIVIA POMP
Parth Thakerar recently starred in Tom Stoppard’s “The Hard Problem” at the National Theatre. “Clothes themselves can make you feel different so I think they must have their own characters.” Suit : jade sharkskin, Richard James Mayfair, $572/£400. Shirt : white cotton, Emporio Armani, $375/£190. Tie : black silk, Giorgio Armani, $275/£155
Ian Kelly is an author and actor. He starred as King George III in his own play, “Mr Foote’s Other Leg”. “Vivienne Westwood has this line: ‘Wear better clothes, you’ll have a better life.’ I think we can all be empowered by being well-dressed.” Suit : maroon shadow Prince of Wales Buckley half-lined jacket, Tom Ford, $4,140/£2,390; waistcoat, $1,370/£790; trousers with side adjusters, $1,320/£760. Shirt : orange micro Tattersall white tailored fit, Tom Ford, $615/£355. Tie : gold knitted 6cm flat-point, Tom Ford, $220/£140. Pocket square : gold silk with black border, Tom Ford, $180/£120. Socks: grey fine-ribbed, Paul Smith, $40/£22. Shoes: brown calf-leather Tudor lace-up, Tom Ford, $1,790/£1,010
Alex Felton toured as Lysander in the Bristol Old Vic’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. “This suit made me feel like a bit of a dandy, which isn’t a million miles from me. I thought ‘God, I wish I owned it.’” Suit : “A Suit to Travel In” tailored-fit beige check, Paul Smith, $1,765/£985. Shirt : white cotton, Kilgour, $310/£215. Scarf : double-faced Follow You silk, Hermès, $315/£220. Belt : dark oak antique, Edward Green, $363/£225. Socks : rich burgundy Simply Sartorial, London Sock Company, $18/£12. Shoes : single buckle/lace-up Cliffe, John Lobb, $1,610/£1,085
Charlie Gardener played Robert Lewis in the film “The Martian”. “I had a clothing company for a while, and I’ve got this obsession with fabric. I love the way it feels, the way it changes, what you can create.” Suit : blue sharkskin Burlington, Chester Barrie, $1,422/£995. T-shirt : Sunspel, $75/£60. Watch : Luminor Base 8 Days Acciaio 44mm, Panerai, $8,300/£4,950. Ring : plate men’s ring in black brushed gold, Dina Kamal, $3,725/£2,470. Socks : ebony black Simply Sartorial, London Sock Company, $18/£12. Shoes : black calfskin Michael 1, George Cleverly, $710/£495
George Blagden will star as Louis XIV in the new television drama “Versailles”. “In this role, particularly, the clothes play a vital part in portraying a person whose life was about art, luxury and fashion.” Suit : black classic linen two-piece, Polo Ralph Lauren, $845/£595. Shirt : Edmond plain classic fit double-cuff, Thomas Pink, $185/£89. Watch : red-gold Portugieser perpetual calendar with alligator strap, IWC, $39,000/£29,500. Cufflinks : onyx wedge in rose gold, Longmire, $4,730/£3,290. Ring : yellow-gold England Made Me signet ring with black enamel and diamonds, Stephen Webster, $8,000/£6,200. Tie : burgundy stripe, Paul Smith, $135/£85
Tosin Cole is Lieutenant Bastian in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”. “The suit was so formal, and then the shoes were just wow, like popping. It was a new flamboyance for me.” Suit : charcoal wool mélange single-breasted, Kilgour, $2,000/£1,400. Shirt : white cotton basket-weave, Kilgour, $325/£225. Cufflinks : yellow-gold and diamond Eliochron, Buccellati, $14,000/£10,000. Watch : Tonda 1950 tourbillon, Parmigiani Fleurier, $130,000/£100,000. Shoes : embroidered leaves print (made to order), Richard James, $350/£495
Edward (left) and Jonathan Saxby are actors and models. They appeared together in the film “Cheerful Weather for the Wedding”. “The white suits, we absolutely love that style. It’s very Miami Vice, very summery. And the ladies love it, you know!” Suit : flamed cotton-linen canvas relaxed, Hermès, $3,950/£2,310. Top : white Giza cotton T-shirt, Gieves & Hawkes, $335/£175. Shoes : white leather BOSS trainers, Hugo Boss, $325/£230. Bracelet : model’s own Jacket : chalk wool and linen canvas one-button slim-fit, Lanvin, $2,295/£1,340. Trousers : chalk wool and linen canvas tapered, Lanvin, $950/£550. Shirt : summer honeycomb, Duchamp, $255/£130. Belt : navy suede gold buckle, Paul Smith, $150/£100. Cufflinks : yellow- and white-gold bee with black rhodium, Theo Fennell, $3,972/£2,750. Shoes : calf-suede Matthew, Grenson, $420/£200
Charlie Hamblett will appear as Stevie in an upcoming BBC1 adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s “The Secret Agent”. “That Dior suit! It was just beautiful, and so light. You can’t help but feel elevated by the experience.” Jacket : two-button navy wool with camouflage print lining, Christian Dior, $2,300/£1,400. Trousers : navy wool with grey stitching, Christian Dior, $700/£430. Shirt : blue cotton, Christian Dior, $610/£360. Tie : black silk, Christian Dior, $220/£125. Belt : navy suede gold buckle, Paul Smith, $150/£100. Watch : gentlemen’s white-gold Calatrava, Patek Philippe, $34,700/£22,820
Styling for watches and jewellery: Melanie Grant
Styling assistant: Felicity Gray
Photography assistant: Harry Gillespie
Grooming: Peter Smith
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