Fashioning a Legacy: ‘Peaky Blinders’ Costume Visionary Stephanie Collie Passes Away at 60

In the theatrical tapestry of life, some threads shine brighter than others, and Stephanie Collie was undoubtedly one of those threads – a shimmering, unforgettable stroke in the visual narrative of the first season of Peaky Blinders. Sadly, on October 26, Collie departed from this world while at St Christopher's Hospice in London, leaving behind a legacy woven with style and flair at the age of 60, following a brave six-month battle with terminal cancer.

Collie's genius lay in her ability to channel the essence of early 20th-century Birmingham street fashion through the lenses of crime and culture, drawing inspiration from a rather unorthodox source: criminal mugshots. Who knew that the fashion world would owe so much to a few unfortunate souls caught in the act? But Collie managed to spin gold from their misdeeds, imbuing the characters, especially Tommy Shelby, with an aura that would influence British fashion trends for a decade and counting.

After earning her degree from the illustrious London College of Fashion, Collie began her career in the sewing room of the BBC, where she crossed paths with the remarkable Susan Coates. It was Coates who introduced her to David Parfitt of the Renaissance Theatre Company, a fateful connection that shifted the trajectory of her creative journey. Her early days included working as a wardrobe assistant to the inimitable Kenneth Branagh on Much Ado About Nothing. While this was more than just a job, it was Collie's graceful pirouette into the world of costume design that would soon place her in the spotlight.

Her moment of true creative explosion came when she cranked up the heat on Guy Ritchie’s cult classic Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. This film secured her a partnership with producer Matthew Vaughn, which blossomed into a 30-year collaboration across seven films. Imagine the pressures of dressing Daniel Craig, not yet crowned as James Bond, in Vaughn’s gritty narrative of Layer Cake. This was no small task; it was a grand design that further solidified her status as a costume-designing maven.

Collie's portfolio sparkled with titles such as London Has Fallen and The Hitman’s Bodyguard, where she folded elegance and practicality into playful silences—allowing characters to speak volumes through their attire. Her recent ventures included styling for How To Build A Girl and the much-anticipated Argylle, featuring the ever-dashing Henry Cavill. What a legacy! Alas, her final canvas, Stunt Nuts: The Movie, directed by Damien Walters, is currently in post-production, a testament to her undying spirit in the face of adversity.

In a bittersweet twist of fate, Collie's husband, the talented cinematographer Hubert Taczanowski, also left this mortal realm just months earlier in June. Together, they were not only partners in life but also clients of the illustrious Casarotto Ramsay & Associates. Their love story is one for the ages, filled with artistic prowess and tender moments.

In heartfelt tributes, Daniel Craig lauded her contribution, stating, “Stephanie was responsible for so much of the look and feel of Layer Cake. She was a joy to work with and she will be deeply missed.” Matthew Vaughn chimed in, highlighting her unwavering spirit: “Stephanie was always a beacon of good taste and positivity; no matter how hard the task, she would never give up until it was accomplished to perfection.” And who could forget the words of Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy, pronouncing her “a ferocious talent”? Indeed, Stephanie Collie has left a gap, not just in the industry, but in the hearts of those who had the pleasure of knowing her.

She is survived by her three siblings, Fiona, Alison, and Nicola; her stepdaughter Julia; and a gaggle of nieces and nephews who will continue to cherish her memory and legacy. In a world so hungry for creativity and soul, the loss of Stephanie Collie is a stark reminder that true talent and commitment to one's craft are immortal, even when their bearers are not.