Angels The Costumiers

Today I was on assignment for Generation magazine, alongside their Editor, Amalia, to meet the Angel family – owners of Angels the Costumiers.

Angels is a company that makes costumes for films, TV and the stage. Started in 1840 as a purveyor of fine second-hand clothing, a question by an actor changed things forever when he asked if he could ‘rent a suit rather than buy it’. Word spread and soon theatrical managers were seeking their services for West End shows. With the boom of the film industry, Angels saw and opening and was able to carry their work over into the movies too. Angels holds one of the largest collections of stock in the world, boasting over 8 miles of clothes rails full of costumes and uniforms. As well as having well over a million items in stock, they have a team of tailors and dress makers that make garments to fit actors and can faithfully reproduce the original cut of garments so that the authenticity of a costume is guaranteed.

Along with the costume rental side of the company, the Angels started up a retail fancy dress store both online and in London’s Shaftsbury Avenue, offering six floors of the best fancy dress in the world.

Now in its 6th generation of family members, it currently has two generations at the helm; father, daughter and two sons – all heading up different departments within the company and all working hard to have a company that will be ready for the 7th generation, no doubt.

I love meeting and shooting family businesses as there is always such a good bond between them and you can hear their energy and enthusiasm when they talk about their business – an energy that is quite contagious!

Angels The Costumiers

Angels Fancy Dress