WE MEET THE CROWN'S COSTUME DESIGNERS

We’re 90% thrilled, 10% sad that the final eps of The Crown season 6 have just dropped on Netflix. It’s the last chapter of the much-loved show (sniffs 😢), so we couldn’t miss our chance to chat to the Head of the Costume department, Amy Roberts, and Head Buyer, Sidonie Roberts, about replicating royal fashion, Princess Diana, and their bet for most surprising style icon ✨ Let’s get to it, shall we? 📝

Hiyaaa, let’s start with a few quick🔥 qs. Which character's wardrobe would you want for yourself?
Sidonie: Princess Anne. The checks, the horsebit, the hats, the glasses, the babushka scarves...
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Amy: Princess Alice, Philip's mum. Nice, plain and grey. No frills. That's very me.

Before 90s minimalism, there was Princess Alice 🤭 And which decade was the most fun for you both to design for?
S: I think Amy was slightly worried or horrified about the 80s, but ended up really, really enjoying it. Especially the Thatcher of it all in season 4. 
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A: Yes, because I didn't like the 80s (I loved the music) but you get into it. I remember doing a big Tudor show and thinking, 'Oh, God,' and then loving it. Once you start working at it, you see lovely shapes.

Love that you sort of rip up the rules and trust your instincts 💪 What was the most interesting part of working on this season for you both?
A: It was interesting for us to see the new gang coming in. We’ve got William, Harry and Kate leading us into a new future. In terms of our work, it wasn't so much design-led [I.E. the team physically designing and creating the garments] because Sid, being the Head Buyer, would be able to source that more easily.

You can see the younger characters subtly showing some individuality through their costumes, too, was this important to you?
A: Yes, I don’t think they’re so got-up. It’s interesting that you say that, because I remember there was a scene where William and Harry come to visit the royal family and I dressed them in jeans and jumpers, and Major David Rankin – who was our advisor for everything; etiquette, clothes, whatever – was horrified. He said, "Amy, they'd never do that. They'd wear suits." I said, it's too late, I've done it now. So, there's still those rules and regulations, which I thought had gone.

We’re still seeing so many trends inspired by Princess Diana – she's the ultimate quiet-luxury girlie – why do you think people resonate with her style still?
​S: Because she shows all different versions of herself. And women, cisgender or trans women today, that's what we want. We no longer have to be just the pretty girl who wears pretty dresses or the androgynous girl who wears suits. We can be all of them. And I think she really paved the way for that because she was sexy and strong and vulnerable and so much more all at once.

Mic drop 👏 Last up, are there any character's looks that you wouldn’t be surprised to see people replicating/getting inspired by?
S: I wouldn't be surprised to see people replicating Princess Anne, and it’s coming already. Those ski glasses and the scarves 🫶