# Sandy Powell (costume designer)

Sandy Powell CBE RDI (born 7 April 1960) is a British costume designer. In a career spanning over three decades, she is recognized for her prolific work across independent films and blockbusters. She has received numerous accolades, including three Academy Awards, three BAFTA Awards, and two Costume Designers Guild Awards. She has been the recipient of various honorary awards, including the BAFTA Fellowship in 2023. Powell was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2025 New Year Honours for services to costume design.
Powell is best known for her collaborations with directors Derek Jarman, Neil Jordan, Todd Haynes and Martin Scorsese. She has received 15 nominations for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design and has won three times for Shakespeare in Love (1998), The Aviator (2004), and The Young Victoria (2009). She has also been nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design a record 16 times and had three wins for Velvet Goldmine (1998), The Young Victoria, and The Favourite (2018).

## Early life and education

Powell was born in London in 1960, and grew up in Brixton and Clapham. Her father worked in casinos, while her mother was a secretary. Powell told fashion journalist Suzy Menkes in an episode of Menkes' podcast Creative Conversations that, despite their close friendship, she was not related to fellow costume designer Anthony Powell. Information about them being cousins has falsely spread online. Powell learned to sew from her mother on a Singer sewing machine, drew pictures of clothes, designed and made outfits for her dolls, and started making her own clothes from a young age. She also developed an interest in film and theatre from an early age.
Powell attended Sydenham High School, and in 1978 she completed an art foundation course at Saint Martin's School of Art, where she became acquainted with Lea Anderson, who later became a dancer and choreographer as well as Powell's collaborator. In 1979, Powell began a BA in theatre design at the Central School of Art and Design, but left after two years before completing her degree and started working for fringe theatre companies.

## Career
### 1980–1997: Early work

After leaving Central, Powell began a working relationship with dancer and choreographer Lindsay Kemp, whom she greatly admired. She designed costumes for his productions, the first of which was the show Nijinsky at La Scala in Milan. In the early 1980s, Powell became acquainted with filmmaker Derek Jarman, who became a mentor and an influential figure in her life. Following Jarman's advice, she spent a year working on music videos. She made her entry into the film industry in 1986, designing costumes for the Jarman film Caravaggio.
In 1992, Powell achieved prominence in the period drama film Orlando, directed by Sally Potter. Operating on a limited budget, Powell created elaborate costumes for the gender-switching and time-traveling protagonist (played by Tilda Swinton), for which she received her first Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design. Powell also began a collaboration with director Neil Jordan, which would produce a total of six films including the crime thriller The Crying Game (1992), the gothic horror film Interview with the Vampire (1994) and the period drama Michael Collins (1996).

### 1998–2017: Breakthrough

Powell received dual nominations at the 71st Academy Awards for her two 1998 films, Velvet Goldmine and Shakespeare in Love. Echoing the contemporary tone of Shakespeare in Love, Powell opted to sacrifice historical accuracy in her costume designs but still managed to achieve "emotional accuracy", according to Salon critic Stephanie Zacharek. The detail on the costumes of Gwyneth Paltrow's Viola and the thematic significance of her costume changes were also noted as highlights of the film. For her work in the film, Powell won her first Academy Award for Best Costume Design.
Following her win at the 71st Academy Awards, Powell began her collaboration with director Martin Scorsese, starting with his 2002 epic period drama film Gangs of New York, for which she earned her 5th Oscar nomination. The two reunited for the 2004 biographical drama film The Aviator, for which Powell won her second Academy Award. In 2005 she worked on Stephen Frears' Mrs Henderson Presents earning another Academy Award nomination. She worked on Scorsese gain this time for a film set in modern-day creating current day clothing for the Boston crime drama The Departed (2006) starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson. She then worked on the historical romantic drama The Other Boleyn Girl which was based on 2001 novel of the same name by Philippa Gregory. The film was directed by Justin Chadwick and starred Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, and Eric Bana.
In 2009, She worked on the romantic period drama The Young Victoria directed by Jean-Marc Vallée. The film starred Emily Blunt as Queen Victoria, and the film revolves around her upbringing and romance with Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha portrayed by Rupert Friend. She won her third Academy Award for Best Costume Design, and a BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design for her work on the film. The following year she worked on Scorsese's psychological thriller Shutter Island starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Julie Taymor's The Tempest with Helen Mirren. In 2011 she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design her work on Scorsese's children's action adventure film Hugo losing to Mark Bridges for The Artist (2011).
In 2016, Powell received her second dual nominations at the 88th Academy Awards, having been recognized for her works in Kenneth Branagh's Disney live-action adaptation of Cinderella and for Todd Haynes' romantic drama Carol (2015). The later was based on the Patricia Highsmith novel The Price of Salt (1952). The film starred Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara as starcrossed lovers in the 1950s. She reunited with Haynes for the black and white film Wonderstruck (2017) starring Julianne Moore and Michelle Williams, based on the 2011 novel of the same name by Brian Selznick. She also served as an executive producer on the film. That same year, she worked on the John Cameron Mitchell's wacky science fiction romantic comedy How to Talk to Girls at Parties (2017).

### 2018–present

In 2019, Powell garnered her third dual nominations at the 91st Academy Awards for her works in Yorgos Lanthimos' The Favourite (2018) and Rob Marshall's Mary Poppins Returns (2018), making her the most nominated costume designer in Academy Awards history after Edith Head. In 2020, Powell received her 15th Oscar nomination in her seventh collaboration with Martin Scorsese in his epic crime film The Irishman starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci. She shared the nomination with her co-designer, Christopher Peterson.
In the same year, Powell collected many stars' signatures on a cream calico suit in a widely publicized tour of 2020 awards ceremonies, including the 92nd Academy Awards and 73rd British Academy Film Awards, to be auctioned to raise funds for the preservation of director Derek Jarman's home, Prospect Cottage. She also did the costume design for the British drama Living (2021) starring Bill Nighy and the live action Disney film Snow White starring Rachel Zegler.

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
| 1986 | Caravaggio | Derek Jarman | |
| 1987 | Aria | Derek Jarman | Segment: "Depuis le jour" |
| 1987 | The Last of England | Derek Jarman | |
| 1988 | Stormy Monday | Mike Figgis | |
| 1988 | For Queen and Country | Martin Stellman | |
| 1989 | Venus Peter | Ian Sellar | |
| 1989 | Killing Dad | Michael Austin | aka Killing Dad (Or How To Love Your Mother) |
| 1989 | Shadow of China | Mitsuo Yanagimachi | |
| 1991 | The Miracle | Neil Jordan | |
| 1991 | The Pope Must Die | Peter Richardson | aka The Pope Must Diet! |
| 1991 | Edward II | Derek Jarman | Also makes a cameo as Seamstress |
| 1992 | Orlando | Sally Potter | |
| 1992 | The Crying Game | Neil Jordan | |
| 1993 | Wittgenstein | Derek Jarman | |
| 1994 | Being Human | Bill Forsyth | |
| 1994 | Interview with the Vampire | Neil Jordan | |
| 1995 | Rob Roy | Michael Caton-Jones | |
| 1996 | Michael Collins | Neil Jordan | |
| 1997 | The Butcher Boy | Neil Jordan | |
| 1997 | The Wings of the Dove | Iain Softley | |
| 1998 | Velvet Goldmine | Todd Haynes | |
| 1998 | Hilary and Jackie | Anand Tucker | |
| 1998 | Shakespeare in Love | John Madden | |
| 1999 | Felicia's Journey | Atom Egoyan | |
| 1999 | Miss Julie | Mike Figgis | |
| 1999 | The End of the Affair | Neil Jordan | |
| 2002 | Far from Heaven | Todd Haynes | |
| 2002 | Gangs of New York | Martin Scorsese | |
| 2003 | Sylvia | Christine Jeffs | |
| 2004 | The Aviator | Martin Scorsese | |
| 2005 | Mrs Henderson Presents | Stephen Frears | |
| 2006 | The Departed | Martin Scorsese | |
| 2008 | The Other Boleyn Girl | Justin Chadwick | |
| 2009 | The Young Victoria | Jean-Marc Vallée | |
| 2010 | Shutter Island | Martin Scorsese | |
| 2010 | The Tempest | Julie Taymor | |
| 2011 | Hugo | Martin Scorsese | |
| 2012 | Suspension of Disbelief | Mike Figgis | |
| 2013 | The Wolf of Wall Street | Martin Scorsese | |
| 2015 | Cinderella | Kenneth Branagh | |
| 2015 | Carol | Todd Haynes | |
| 2017 | Wonderstruck | Todd Haynes | Also executive producer |
| 2017 | How to Talk to Girls at Parties | John Cameron Mitchell | |
| 2018 | The Favourite | Yorgos Lanthimos | |
| 2018 | Mary Poppins Returns | Rob Marshall | |
| 2019 | The Irishman | Martin Scorsese | with Christopher Peterson |
| 2020 | The Glorias | Julie Taymor | |
| 2021 | Mothering Sunday | Eva Husson | |
| 2022 | Living | Oliver Hermanus | |
| 2025 | Snow White | Marc Webb | Post-production |
| 2025 | The Bride! | Maggie Gyllenhaal | Filming |

## Theatre

| Year | Production | Venue | Notes |
| 1990 | Edward II | Royal Shakespeare Company | |
| 1998 | Doctor Ox's Experiment | English National Opera | Commissioned by the ENO with BBC Television |
| 2024 | Gatsby: An American Myth | American Repertory Theater | |

## Awards and nominations
### Major associations

Academy Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 1993 | Best Costume Design | Orlando | Nominated |
| 1997 | Best Costume Design | The Wings of the Dove | Nominated |
| 1998 | Best Costume Design | Shakespeare in Love | Won |
| 1998 | Best Costume Design | Velvet Goldmine | Nominated |
| 2002 | Best Costume Design | Gangs of New York | Nominated |
| 2004 | Best Costume Design | The Aviator | Won |
| 2005 | Best Costume Design | Mrs Henderson Presents | Nominated |
| 2009 | Best Costume Design | The Young Victoria | Won |
| 2010 | Best Costume Design | The Tempest | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best Costume Design | Hugo | Nominated |
| 2015 | Best Costume Design | Carol | Nominated |
| 2015 | Best Costume Design | Cinderella | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best Costume Design | The Favourite | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best Costume Design | Mary Poppins Returns | Nominated |
| 2019 | Best Costume Design | The Irishman | Nominated |
BAFTA Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| British Academy Film Awards |||||
| 1993 | Best Costume Design | Orlando | Nominated |
| 1994 | Best Costume Design | Interview with the Vampire | Nominated |
| 1997 | Best Costume Design | The Wings of the Dove | Nominated |
| 1998 | Best Costume Design | Velvet Goldmine | Won |
| 1998 | Best Costume Design | Shakespeare in Love | Nominated |
| 1999 | Best Costume Design | The End of the Affair | Nominated |
| 2002 | Best Costume Design | Gangs of New York | Nominated |
| 2004 | Best Costume Design | The Aviator | Nominated |
| 2005 | Best Costume Design | Mrs Henderson Presents | Nominated |
| 2009 | Best Costume Design | The Young Victoria | Won |
| 2011 | Best Costume Design | Hugo | Nominated |
| 2015 | Best Costume Design | Carol | Nominated |
| 2015 | Best Costume Design | Cinderella | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best Costume Design | The Favourite | Won |
| 2018 | Best Costume Design | Mary Poppins Returns | Nominated |
| 2019 | Best Costume Design | The Irishman | Nominated |
| 2022 | BAFTA Fellowship | — | Honored |

### Miscellaneous awards

List of Sandy Powell other awards and nominations :
| Award | Year | Category | Title | Result |
| Apolo Awards | 2016 | Best Costume Design | Carol | Nominated |
| Apolo Awards | 2019 | Best Costume Design | The Favourite | Won |
| British Independent Film Awards | 2005 | Best Technical Achievement (wardrobe) | Mrs Henderson Presents | Nominated |
| British Independent Film Awards | 2017 | Best Costume Design | How to Talk to Girls at Parties | Nominated |
| British Independent Film Awards | 2018 | Best Costume Design | The Favourite | Won |
| British Independent Film Awards | 2022 | Best Costume Design | Living | Nominated |
| Camerimage | 2015 | Costume Designer with Unique Visual Sensitivity | — | Honored |
| Capri Hollywood International Film Festival | 2002 | Capri Umberto Tirelli Award | Gangs of New York | Won |
| Capri Hollywood International Film Festival | 2015 | Best Costume Design | Cinderella | Won |
| Capri Hollywood International Film Festival | 2015 | Capri Legend Award | — | Honored |
| Capri Hollywood International Film Festival | 2018 | Best Costume Design | Mary Poppins Returns | Won |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2004 | Excellence in Period/Fantasy Film | The Aviator | Nominated |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2009 | Excellence in Period Film | The Young Victoria | Won |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2009 | Career Achievement Award | — | Honored |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2010 | Excellence in Fantasy Film | The Tempest | Nominated |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2011 | Excellence in Period Film | Hugo | Nominated |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2015 | Excellence in Fantasy Film | Cinderella | Nominated |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2015 | Excellence in Period Film | Carol | Nominated |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2018 | Excellence in Period Film | The Favourite | Won |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2018 | Excellence in Period Film | Mary Poppins Returns | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Movie Awards | 2009 | Best Costume Design | The Young Victoria | Won |
| Critics' Choice Movie Awards | 2011 | Best Costume Design | Hugo | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Movie Awards | 2015 | Best Costume Design | Carol | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Movie Awards | 2015 | Best Costume Design | Cinderella | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Movie Awards | 2018 | Best Costume Design | The Favourite | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Movie Awards | 2018 | Best Costume Design | Mary Poppins Returns | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Movie Awards | 2019 | Best Costume Design | The Irishman | Nominated |
| Empire Awards | 2015 | Best Costume Design | Carol | Nominated |
| Empire Awards | 2015 | Best Costume Design | Cinderella | Nominated |
| European Film Awards | 2019 | Best Costume Designer | The Favourite | Won |
| Evening Standard British Film Awards | 1991 | Technical Achievement | Edward II, The Miracle and The Pope Must Die | Won |
| Evening Standard British Film Awards | 1993 | Technical Achievement | Orlando | Won |
| Genie Awards | 1999 | Best Costume Design | Felicia's Journey | Nominated |
| Hollywood Film Awards | 2015 | Hollywood Costume Design Award | Cinderella | Won |
| Hollywood Film Awards | 2018 | Hollywood Costume Design Award | The Favourite | Won |
| Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards | 2002 | Best Costume Design | Far from Heaven | Nominated |
| Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards | 2002 | Best Costume Design | Gangs of New York | Nominated |
| Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards | 2004 | Best Costume Design | The Aviator | Won |
| Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards | 2018 | Best Costume Design | The Favourite | Won |
| London Film Critics' Circle Awards | 2015 | Technical Achievement Award (costumes) | Cinderella | Nominated |
| London Film Critics' Circle Awards | 2019 | Dilys Powell Award for Excellence in Film | — | Honored |
| Online Film Critics Society Awards | 2002 | Best Costume Design | Far from Heaven | Won |
| Online Film Critics Society Awards | 2002 | Best Costume Design | Gangs of New York | Nominated |
| San Diego Film Critics Society Awards | 2018 | Best Costume Design | The Favourite | Won |
| Santa Barbara International Film Festival | 2020 | Variety Artisans Award (costume design) | The Irishman | Won |
| Satellite Awards | 1997 | Best Costume Design | The Wings of the Dove | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 1998 | Best Costume Design | Shakespeare in Love | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 2002 | Best Costume Design | Gangs of New York | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 2004 | Best Costume Design | The Aviator | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 2009 | Best Costume Design | The Young Victoria | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 2015 | Best Costume Design | Cinderella | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 2018 | Best Costume Design | The Favourite | Won |
| Satellite Awards | 2022 | Best Costume Design | Living | Nominated |
| Saturn Awards | 1994 | Best Costume Design | Interview with the Vampire | Won |
| Saturn Awards | 2011 | Best Costume Design | Hugo | Nominated |
| Saturn Awards | 2015 | Best Costume Design | Cinderella | Nominated |
| Saturn Awards | 2018/19 | Best Costume Design | Mary Poppins Returns | Nominated |
| Savannah Film Festival | 2021 | Variety’s Creative Impact in Costume Design | — | Honored |
| Seattle Film Critics Society Awards | 2015 | Best Costume Design | Carol | Nominated |
| Seattle Film Critics Society Awards | 2015 | Best Costume Design | Cinderella | Nominated |
| Seattle Film Critics Society Awards | 2018 | Best Costume Design | The Favourite | Nominated |
| Seattle Film Critics Society Awards | 2018 | Best Costume Design | Mary Poppins Returns | Nominated |
| WFTV Awards | 2005 | AFM Lighting Craft Award | — | Honored |

### Honorary degrees

Name of school, year given, and name of degree :
| School | Year | Degree | Ref. |
| University of the Arts London | 2018 | Honorary Fellow | |

## Other honours

* Powell was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to the film industry. She was promoted to Commander (CBE) in the 2025 New Year Honours for services to costume design.
* Powell was made a Royal Designer for Industry (RDI) by the Royal Society of Arts in 2013.