British costume designer Sandy Powell will be awarded a Bafta Fellowship for the “impressive” wardrobes she has created during her nearly four-decade career in the film industry.
Powell, who has won three Bafta and Academy Awards respectively, said she was “delighted” with the award and “extremely proud” to be the first costume designer to receive Bafta’s highest honour. .
The 62-year-old said: “I’m lucky that I love what I do and I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the most talented and inspiring people in the industry behind and in front of the camera.
“I look forward to many more years ahead.”
Previous film recipients of the Fellowship include Dame Helen Mirren, Charlie Chaplin, Martin Scorsese, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Vanessa Redgrave, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Ang Lee.
Bafta chief executive Jane Millichip said: “Sandy Powell is not just a great designer, she’s a great storyteller. Her costumes are stunning in their beauty, but they also beautifully interpret the story and provide the infrastructure for characters.
“For over thirty years, Sandy has brought awareness to the craft of costume design in film and provided a spotlight for designers in film.
“We look forward to honoring Sandy’s work this month at our EE Bafta Film Awards and to working with her over the next year to inspire the next generation of costume designers and storytellers.”
London-born Powell began making clothes from a young age and first came to prominence for her work on the period drama Orlando, directed by Sally Potter, receiving her first Bafta and Academy Award nominations for costume design and better.
In 1998, Todd Hayne’s Velvet Goldmine won Powell his first Bafta award before he scored his first Oscar for John Madden’s Shakespeare In Love the same year.
Powell often collaborates with directors including Haynes and Scorsese, which led to her winning a second Academy Award for The Aviator.
In 2009, Powell worked alongside Jean-Marc Vallee on The Young Victoria, winning her second Bafta and third Academy Award before picking up her third Bafta for The Favourite 10 years later.
Her other notable Bafta and Academy Award nominations include The Irishman, Cinderella and Mary Poppins Returns.
Most recently she worked on Living Oliver Hermanus, with Bill Nighy, and Marc Webb’s Snow White – currently in post-production.
Powell will be awarded the Fellowship as part of a special commemoration of her work during the ceremony to be held at the Royal Festival Hall in the Southbank Center on 19 February.