He has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design three times, winning for The Duchess (2008).
He began his training as a dresser at the Old Vic and then spent six years in a costume house before deciding to go freelance.
His early works as a wardrobe supervisor was on such films as The House of the Spirits (1993) and Emma (1996).
Then he was elevated to an assistant costume designer and worked in this role on several notable films, these include Oscar and Lucinda (1997), Topsy-Turvy (1999), and Quills (2000).
In addition, he was an associate costume designer on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002).