Oscar fever reaches peak for British family business
A London-based costume hire family business, currently in its fifth generation of family ownership, provided clothes and accessories for four of the five movies nominated for an Oscar award for the best costume design.
Family-run Angels, which traces its roots back to 1840, was the name behind clothes featured in Martin Scorsese’s film Hugo, the new version of Jane Eyre, Madonna’s romantic drama WE and historical thriller Anonymous.
"It’s very gratifying when our work is recognized in such a high profile way. We have supplied costumes and uniforms to 33 films that have won Oscars for best achievement in costume design over the years and have been supplying costumes to the entertainment industry since 1840," Tim Angel, fifth-gen family member, told CampdenFB.
The group's recognitions include its first award with Hamlet in 1948, to more recent films such as the 2011 Alice in Wonderland, Aviator, Gladiator and Memoirs of a Geisha.
Founded in 1840 by Morris Angel, Angels started as a second-hand clothing shop. The first film the company made costumes for was the 1913 Maid of the Mountains.
Tim works alongside his family, including some sixth-generation family members.
UPDATE: On 26 February, the Oscar for the best costume design went to silent film The Artist, the only movie that Angels did not work on.
