Secret drama of Sherlock star’s vegan Met costume

TV’S BENEDICT Cumberbatch and wife Sophie Hunter eclipsed some of the biggest names in fashion — including supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell — when they arrived at New York’s Met Gala this week in flamboyant outfits.

But I can reveal the Sherlock star’s dedication to his ethical lifestyle proved hugely problematic in the run-up to the society event hosted by Dame Anna Wintour, who picked ‘camp’ as this year’s theme.

His stylist of ten years, Joe Woolfe, who designed the 42-yearold’s cream suit and put together his outfit, tells me: ‘We spent ages talking about it and planning it for about three weeks before he flew to the U.S.

‘He’s vegan, so that meant there were a lot of fabrics we couldn’t use. We ended up using an amazing English bamboo fabric from Huddersfield Fine Worsteds.’

Vegans do not wear materials made from animal- derived products, such as wool, and Woolfe was on strict orders to ensure every aspect of the ensemble was vegan.

Even when he acquired the white shirt from designer Emma Willis, who dresses Prince Charles and Daniel Craig, he made sure the silk would meet the actor’s exacting standards. ‘It was silk, but peace silk, which doesn’t involve killing the worms, so it’s fully vegan and cruelty-free,’ he adds.

‘I had to get a few for him to choose from, because I know what he’s like, and if I just give him one thing he’ll feel like he’s being cornered. But he always ends up choosing what I offered first!’

Father- of-two Benedict, who accessorised his look with a cane, Lock & Co panama hat, JaegerLeCoultre watch and Stubbs & Wootton slippers of ‘the highestgrade sea island cotton velvet’, could not, however, convince his wife to follow suit. The 41-year-old theatre director sported a bespoke, billowing lilac Roksanda gown.

‘It wasn’t vegan, but Sophie’s not vegan. We actually had to wait for her to pick her outfit first and then match Ben’s to hers. She didn’t want them to look too similar. She was concerned they were going to look like the Beckhams.’

Woolfe, who founded Fitzrovia tailors Labassa Woolfe with Johan Labassa, adds that the most ‘ camp’ thing about the actor actually had little to do with his right-on threads.

‘He was just really excited. He was like a child going to a fancy dress party. And that’s camp.’