Few things have the power to coax Cillian Murphy, that most private of thespians, out from under his Dublin cocoon. During the recent Toronto International Film Festival, London’s Studio Nicholson crafted a beautifully tailored bespoke suit to showcase the actor’s understated elegance to the world.
The unveiling came on the red carpet at TIFF, where Murphy attended the premiere of Steve, directed by Tim Mielants and based on Max Porter’s novella. He opted for a black needlecord ensemble—comprising a two‑button, notch‑lapel blazer paired with matching trousers and a crisp white poplin shirt—marking Studio Nicholson’s first foray into true bespoke tailoring.
This suit was not conjured as a generic red‑carpet standout. Instead, it was the result of a considered collaboration between Murphy, his long-time stylist Rose Forde, and Studio Nicholson’s creative director Nick Wakeman, the latter carefully translating the brand’s signature aesthetic into a look both refined and personal.
What does “signature aesthetic” actually mean in this context? Wakeman has a knack for redefining everyday tailoring by placing fabric and cut centre‑stage. Here, the blazer borrows its structure from the label’s Roversi jacket—originally with broader shoulders and shorter lines, but reimagined as more streamlined, with narrowed shoulders, a slimmer waist, and an extended silhouette, giving sharpness without ostentation. The trousers reference Studio Nicholson’s cult “Bill” pant but are elevated by luxurious Italian‑milled cord, rich in texture and heavier in substance, which is perfect for both structure and presence.
In Wakeman’s own words: “Reinventing menswear codes with careful consideration of fabric and how it’s applied is my raison d’être … working with Cillian on an evening wear look that speaks to his off‑duty wardrobe and the vibe of TIFF was a good moment.” This philosophy, which is contemporary tailoring with relaxed intent, lies at the heart of why Studio Nicholson has become one of London’s most distinctive menswear houses.
It is also worth noting the timing of this bespoke moment. Following his Oscar win for Oppenheimer earlier in the year, Murphy has entered a new stratum of global recognition—one where every public appearance carries weight. Yet rather than capitalise on that attention with bold fashion statements or high-octane branding, he continues to let restraint do the talking. This suit, then, is not just a style choice—it’s a sartorial philosophy: wear the clothes; do not let them wear you. It serves as a lesson in thoughtful attire and a reminder that modest confidence often has the most impact.
That the suit was exactly that, his rather than someone else’s, speaks volumes. While many A‑listers lean into flashier tuxedos, Murphy chose subtlety that whispered rather than roared. In doing so, he aligned himself with a quiet elegance that felt authentic and maybe even a little revolutionary in a landscape clogged with over‑the‑top red‑carpet statements.
What makes this moment particularly notable is how it signals Studio Nicholson’s custom ambitions. A lesser brand might court celebrity with flamboyant gestures; Nicholson, instead, stayed true to its ethos, bending its tailoring codes to fit his personal style—creating something bespoke not just in craft, but in conceptual identity.
In essence, the suit is less about star‑making and more about a star feeling at ease in the spotlight. It is a rectitude reimagined—as a nod to the evening, but rooted in the off‑duty ease we associate with Murphy himself. The result? A moment in fashion that feels personal, polished and personal again—not for the cameras, but for the man wearing it.
