To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise, Anthony Sinclair has created a 60-piece collection of essential spy-wear to commemorate 60 years of Bond style. Whilst the wardrobe produced for Sean Connery by Sinclair for the early movies was classic and concise, it spanned almost a decade, providing sufficient material to edit before releasing the final cut.
Sinclair preparing Connery for the role of 007
Some parts of the collection, such as the three-piece Glen Plaid suit from Goldfinger, demand screen-accurate reproduction (in terms of styling and materials). Other designs have been allowed a degree of artistic interpretation, including the following items of tailoring... that are as much a tribute to Sean Connery as they are to James Bond.
Born to be Bond. Sean Connery (c1930).
The Sinclair design team considered three standout pieces that helped define James Bond's character, and selected a single range of fabrics from historic Scottish merchant Holland & Sherry to source the cloth. It is a super 140s, four-season worsted known as "Royal Mile", and pays homage to Sean Connery's beloved birthplace.
Edinburgh Castle. The fortress of Connery's home town.
The Royal Mile is in the heart of Scotland's historic capital Edinburgh. It is one of Scotland’s oldest and most famous streets and is the link between Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Palace of Holyrood House. The name implies the distance between these buildings is one mile, however the reference is to one Scots mile, which equates to 1976 yards rather than an Imperial English mile which is 1760 yards.
Connery in Ecru Dinner Jacket. Goldfinger (1964).
Formalwear has undoubtedly been the most consistent and defining element of James Bond's wardrobe since the first scene of the first film in 1962. Arguably, the most iconic image of Bond in black-tie is the picture of Connery wearing his Anthony Sinclair ecru dinner jacket in Goldfinger (1964). It is a look that has been repeated by subsequent actors, but nobody did it better than Sean.
Cutting a dash in a sharkskin suit. Thunderball (1965).
The most popular request from Anthony Sinclair customers is for "Sharkskin" Conduit Cut suits. Even those who are not sure what sharkskin actually is express great interest. The name alone creates intrigue and excitement, in much the way the model monikers of Jensen's "Interceptor" or Corvette's "Stingray" capture the imagination of motor enthusiasts. It seems appropriate that the Bond film in which Connery is thrown to the sharks should feature one of our all time favourites - the Mid-Grey Sharkskin Suit.
Bond meets the Aston. Goldfinger (1964).
Finally, Holland & Sherry's "Royal Mile" collection was called upon to deliver the cloth for one of Connery's simplest but most important outfits. It is the solid navy suit that he wears in Goldfinger, during the scene where he is first introduced to the enduring love of his life... the Aston Martin DB5. Together with double-cuff shirt, engine-turned cufflinks, knitted necktie and neatly folded linen pocket square, it is a look that can take you anywhere - with anyone.