John Bates; designer of the costumes for the TV series. The Avengers encapsulated fashion’s mid-60s turn towards youth.

The most memorable collection of clothing designed by John Bates (who died aged 87). Had just 35 garments plus a few accessories, all of which could be put together into unrepetitive combinations.

Designed in 1965 for an imaginary wearer – Emma Peel, heroine of the series, played by Diana Rigg – deserves all its many entries in style histories for its high concept and marking a major change in fashion.

Furthermore Bates’s great commission nearly did not happen. The wardrobe of the previous lead actress, Honor Blackman as Cathy Gale, had instead been the creation for the series by Frederick Starke; Blackman’s clothes mixed old-movie glamour with Paris Left Bank beat fashion. Not only includes long boots; for fight scenes, but also she was clad in heavy black leather.