You might be surprised at the places Sunspel has been. We kept Tony cool in the Sopranos. We’ve wrapped ourselves around Johnny Depp, and around Daniel Craig. In fact Sunspel has been seen on some of the most delightful male acting talent of recent decades.
It started years ago at the National Theatre and the RSC at Strafford, very probably for a combination of reasons. One, Sunspel gives an instant classic look. In other words, underwear that wouldn’t be out of place in another era (in Edwardian times, say). Two, you get quality.
Nick Kamen in the 1985 Levi's "Launderette" television commercial
Lindy Heming is a distinguished costume designer who has come to us on numerous occasions. In her words:
‘There have been many characters I’ve dressed in Sunspel vests, t-shirtsand underwear, because they’re classic, timeless and beautifully made.’
(Thanks Lindy. We couldn’t have put it better ourselves.)
Sunspel spent a brief period doing rather more commercial work in TV ads (it was Sunspel boxers Nick Kamen wore so fetchingly in the iconic ‘launderette’ ad for Levi’s), before moving into the movies…
An early appearance was in the film ‘84 Charing Cross Road’, in which Anthony Hopkins plays a bookseller who builds a friendship with Anne Bancroft (she of ‘The Graduate’ fame) purely through letters. Not what you’d call an action movie, but something of a quiet classic.
The pace stepped up when Johnny Depp wore Sunspel in a mainly World War II period piece called ‘The Man Who Cried’. He looked pretty damn good even if the film wasn’t a huge success.
Another period piece we were involved in was ‘Gosford Park’, where Sunspel stars in one of its steamier moments. Clive Owen’s brooding valet is half undressed when he finds himself discussing a murder with a maid played by Kelly McDonald. Above the waist he’s wearing only a handsome vest, and Kelly finds it hard to stay on topic. Hard to blame her.
Meanwhile on TV, we got a surprising mention – or a half-mention – in the Sopranos. Tony asks Christopher to pick up some underwear for him from Barney’s: ‘the stuff with holes in it’, he says. That’s Sunspel he’s referring to. We were chuffed.
And then most high profile of all, Sunspel starred on Daniel Craig in ‘Casino Royale’. The biggest action Bond of them all wears Sunspel polos and t-shirts throughout the movie, and you have to say they suit him. Indeed, Sunspel suits Bond, no doubt about it.
Christian Bale is another action hero who gets to wear Sunspel. In ‘The Dark Knight’ Bruce Wayne shows off a bespoke t-shirt we made for him.
Christian Bale as Batman and Michael Caine as Alfred in 'The Dark Knight'
Christian Bale
We worked with the stylist on ‘Valkyrie’ to provide impeccable period t-shirts and long johns for Tom Cruise’s German aristocrat who attempts to assassinate Hitler. We’ve also been seen recently in ‘The Boat That Rocked’.
Christian Bale, Tom Cruise, Daniel Craig, Clive Owen, Johnny Depp, Anthony Hopkins… quite a rollcall. Why do stylists pick Sunspel to go with such dishy actors? Perhaps because they know they’ll get something authentic, something with a touch of quiet charisma. That’s something you can’t fake.