Celia Imrie Emulates Queen Elizabeth II at the Fashion Awards

Recently departing from The Traitors round table, the actress graced the red carpet in a custom Gieves & Hawkes ensemble.

The Fashion Awards 2025 (c) Lily Craigen, British Fashion Council

Last night, the Royal Albert Hall hosted prominent figures in fashion, as the style elite gathered in the capital for the 2025 edition of The Fashion Awards. The red carpet was inundated with designers, models, muses, and several A-listers from television, film, music, and other domains.

As anticipated at a high-profile occasion, numerous magnificent clothes were displayed; nevertheless, none distinguished themselves as prominently as that of a particular Faithful. Celia Imrie epitomised her iconic status by donning a custom Gieves & Hawkes suit and cloak in a striking all-red combination, reminiscent of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Here is all pertinent information regarding the appearance.

Celia Imrie Donned a Cloak for the Fashion Awards 2025

It appears that the ability to don a cloak is not exclusive to the Traitors. Actress and esteemed national treasure Celia Imrie made her début at the Fashion Awards last night, aligning herself with London’s fashion elite in a meticulously crafted ensemble sourced from Savile Row.

The actress made a striking arrival on the blue carpet, dramatically unveiling her floor-length opera cloak to display a coordinating three-piece suit beneath. A custom design by Gieves & Hawkes, the red velvet robe and scarlet suit constituted one of the most unforgettable and striking ensembles of the evening.

“We were fortunate to collaborate with Celia,” stated Davide Taub, Head Cutter at Gieves & Hawkes, in an interview with C&TH. We contemplated the type of individual who would resonate with our vision of bespoke tailoring, seeking a collaborator who not only comprehended it but also fully embraced it. Celia shown considerable insight; her appreciation for tradition, enthusiasm in her attire, and her character were noteworthy. Individuals from many backgrounds can relate to observing her in a bespoke attire.

In contrast to ready-to-wear apparel, the bespoke method entails the creation of a garment from inception, in conjunction with the individual who will don it. “Creating custom designs revolves around engaging in dialogue,” revealed Taub. “Optimal design emerges through dialogue and collaboration.”

Taub conducted multiple fittings with the actress in preparation for the Fashion Awards. Reflecting nostalgically on the occasion, he emphasised that Imrie visited the workshop to meet the tailor responsible for crafting her jacket and trousers, during which he presented her with the pattern derived from her body shape, from which the fabric was cut. She considered it quite fascinating, I believe.

Imrie herself affirmed the sentiment: ‘I was captivated by the meticulous detail of not just the precise measurements conducted by the professionals – lead by Davide Taub and his undercutter Oliver Reeves – but also by the extraordinary hand stitching of each garment,’ stated the actress. I was thrilled to be introduced to the enchanting studio located beneath the establishment at no.1 Savile Row. The ambiance was tranquil yet vibrant.

Geives & Hawkes

The actress was attracted to Gieves & Hawkes due to its enduring naval and military legacy. The label was established from two renowned military tailors: Gieves, founded in 1785, recognised as the supplier to the British Royal Navy, and Hawkes, founded in 1771, serving the British Army.

Taub reflected, "I believe Celia was also attracted to our contemporary engagement with our heritage." We engage with heritage in a manner that beyond merely producing military clothes. It is not formal attire. It is mostly a matter of understanding the historical creation of these designs, their functionality and elegance, and how we might get insights from them. I believe the design process ignited my initial interest.

However, a particularly renowned item of military regalia, created by the tailors at Gieves & Hawkes, established the tone for Imrie’s ensemble: a boat cloak designed for a youthful Queen Elizabeth II on her coronation day. Taub remarked, "There exists a renowned photograph by Cecil Beaton of the Queen on that day." It appears aesthetically pleasing and sophisticated; nonetheless, it is fundamentally a straightforward, utilitarian garment originating from the Royal Navy. The Royal Admiralty presented it as a gift to Queen Elizabeth II. That component provided our initial reference point.

The cutters at Gieves & Hawkes tailored the cloak to fit the occasion and client, Imrie, adjusting the design to provide sufficient drama for an event such as The Fashion Awards. Taub elucidated that the cloak we created leans towards elegance, with considerable length and a train, yet incorporates subtle elements that pay homage to military aesthetics. “The garment features two side splits, allowing Celia to free her hands and manipulate the cloak effectively. I opted for a more theatrical design with the stand-and-fall collar, anticipating its use on a red carpet.”

And for the concluding enhancement? We determined early in our discussions that the colour scheme would be red. "Only red," recounted Taub. I found that to be a remarkably impactful statement.

“The outfit comprises numerous elements,” he continued. It is a three-piece suit of a jacket, waistcoat, pants, and moreover, a cloak and shoes. All those pieces possessed robust outlines, hence it was logical to adopt a more direct approach to colour blocking.

This design note elevated a classic military cloak to the status of high fashion. However, for Taub, the gratification originated from Imrie herself. “It was a profoundly emotional experience to create something and witness an actual transformation,” he recounted. During those fits, we observed a transformation in Celia's posture, her self-perception, and her movements. Creating something unique for any consumer is rewarding, but with someone as expressive as Cecilia, it was very significant.

“Individuals generally do not associate Savile Row with women's fashion,” he remarked. In recent years, it has become increasingly prevalent for tailors to launch women's collections; nonetheless, I would for our efforts not to be perceived as merely conforming to a trend. I have been providing haircuts for ladies for 20 years, and Gieves & Hawkes serves several female clientele. Although we have not intentionally concealed our collaboration with women, we have learnt that our clients prefer to retain us as their discreet secret.

However, with Imrie's recent red carpet appearance still vivid in our recollection, it appears the secret has been revealed. The actress expressed her humility at being adorned with such an opulent garment regarding the final look. “It is a profound honour to receive such a gift from the intellects at Gieves & Hawkes.”