Joan Bergin on dressing the stars in some of the most famous TV shows and films

Irish designer Joan Bergin tells Ellie O’Byrne the secrets of working on some of the most celebrated films and TV shows of our age

"I WAS giving a talk once and a girl asking me, ‘have you spoken to Brad Pitt?’ and I said, ‘No, but I’ve stood in the door and thrown his costume at him’.” A 30-year career as a costume designer in film and on stage has left Joan Bergin with some fantastic anecdotes to tell.

Bergin’s working relationship with Jim Sheridan, three Emmy awards, six IFTAs and a list of credits as long and impressive as the sleeves on one of her Camelot gowns all originated in her own stage-acting career.