In 1967, The Beatles wore four colourful suits for ‘Sgt Pepper’. who made them, and where are they now?
The Beatles’ colourful Sgt Pepper uniforms were designed to bring Paul McCartney’s idea of an Edwardian military band to life, giving the 1967 album a vivid visual identity that matched its experimental music. The costumes became among the group’s most recognisable images, though their makers and present whereabouts are less widely known.
M Berman Ltd made the suits, with Noel Howard among the team; the company was later bought by Angels Costumes. The originals are believed to remain with the Beatles’ families: Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are thought to hold their own, Olivia Harrison is said to own George Harrison’s, and Yoko Ono has lent John Lennon’s green tunic to museums. A rumour that Starr’s suit was destroyed in a 1979 house fire persists, while Harrison wore a suit in later videos and McCartney used a replica.
In short
- McCartney conceived the Edwardian military band look.
- M Berman Ltd made the colourful suits.
- The originals are believed to remain with the Beatles’ families.