Stars In Their Hands
Zoom in for a close up of David Bowie holding a shining ball in Labyrinth or Kate Winslett’s hand reaching out from her limousine in her introductory scene for Titanic or Sylvester Stallone in Judge Dredd. They all have one thing in common - they’re all wearing Pamela Woods’ Gloves.
Specialist glovemakers for the film, theatre and fashion industries, Pamela Woods Gloves (www.pamelawoods-gloves.co.uk), has been creating gloves for the stars for some 20 years.
The company formed by Fashion and Textiles designer, Pamela Elton and her husband Richard in 1985, holds a library of measurements and drawings around the hands of many hundreds of actors, stars and singers for whom they have made gloves.
“We haven’t got Madonna or Cameron Diaz yet,” explains director, Richard Elton, “but we did do some fingers for Gromit once. We have also had some unusual requests such as giant gloves for Harry Potter, transparent gloves for a Pet Shop Boys’ video, two fingered rabbit gloves for the Scottish Opera, three-fingered gloves for a Swedish Airlines advert and gloves with two metre long fingers, which expanded to form part of Batman’s cape.”
Some of the more memorable commissions have included interesting historical research, brushes with on screen royalty and adding design input to a special request. “We loved working on Sleepy Hollow, Elizabeth and Restoration. The Man in the Iron Mask was a particular favourite,” said Richard. “Lots of gold braid, embroidery and fringing.”
“We now know what the height of fashion was for the Tudors and Stuarts having provided gloves for display in an Elizabethan glove-maker’s workshop at Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust in Stratford. The Bard’s father was a glove-maker!”
Among Pamela Wood’s current commissions there are three films in production - with gloves for James Purefoy in the title role as Beau Brummel; Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth I in Golden Age and Demi Moore in Flawless.
For further information contact:
Richard Elton at enqiry@pamelawoods-gloves.co.uk
Editor’s Note:
Pamela Woods’ - Recent Commissions:
During the past year alone, the company has completed glove commissions for:
• Jennifer Lopez Catwalk Show (New York).
• Edward Scissorhands Ballet (London). Principals’ gloves.
• My Fair Lady (Touring). Ascot scene.
• The Magic Flute (film in production). The Queen of the Night.
• Piaf (film in production). Boxing gloves for Piaf’s boyfriend.
• The Cunning Little Vixen (Dutch Opera, Amsterdam) Ladybird’s gloves.
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Musical NYC and UK tour) - The Childcatcher, Baroness.
• Once in a Lifetime (National Theatre);
• Thompson Directory (Advert);
• The Lion King (London, Germany and Holland);
• The Da Vinci Code (Film);
• Snickers Bar (Advert);
• Annie Get Your Gun (on tour);
• Sunshine (Film);
• X Men (Film);
• Virgin Queen (TV);
• V For Vendetta (Film);
• National Lottery (Advert);
About the British Glove Association www.gloveassociation.org.
Pamela Woods Gloves is a member of the British Glove Association (BGA). The Association was formed in 1998 to represent every area of the glove industry as a single voice.
The aim of the Association is to be the principal representative for every business within the glove trade with government departments, national and international organisations and representatives of related trades.
