Her catsuits, in particular, became a symbol of her strength and agility, blending femininity with a sense of power. Starting with Honor Blackman as Cathy Gale, her leather catsuit by Frederick Starke spawned the single “Kinky Boots” and when Blackman left the show to star in the Bond film “Goldfinger”, Emma Peel took the leather catsuit, this time designed by John Bates and made by Simon Ellis & Paul Blanche, to a global television audience.

Moving on from leather for the colour series, Emma Peel’s jumpsuits were made from modern fabrics in fresh colours, designed by Alun Hughes, and were nicknamed “Emmapeelers”.

A precursor to the ubiquitous striped athletic tracksuits, which coincidentally didn’t debut until late 1967, after Mrs Peel made her colour TV return on the 13th of January 1967, the striped arms on Emma’s catsuits still look modern to this day.

The catsuit – Emma’s iconic uniform for action – became her signature piece. Tailored to perfection, the black leather jumpsuit was both a fashion statement and a reflection of her empowered, independent character. But while the catsuit defined her spy persona, Emma’s accessories elevated her look to another level. Featuring the iconic mod bullseye roundel symbol, Kangol “target” berets became her go-to headgear, and then there were the Dents gloves, sleek leather accessories that not only served a functional purpose but added a layer of mystique and sophistication to her ensemble, and integral to the world of high-fashion espionage.

Emma’s footwear was by Rayne, perfect for running after bad guys or dancing the night away at a party, whilst Charnos & Echo tights, meanwhile, became an essential part of her wardrobe. Her watches were by Old England, and then there were her Freedex & Bagcraft handbags which, like everything else in her wardrobe, balanced elegance with functionality.

Unique at the time, Emma Peel‘s wardrobe was available to buy in shops so modern women and girls could emulate their role model with the same clothing and accessories. Nowadays, designers aim for product placement in film and television productions but The Avengers was unique in creating the look for the show first, then making the items available in shops after.

Emma’s fashion was not just about what she wore, but how she wore it – effortlessly cool, impeccable yet daring. It wasn’t just about looking good for the camera; it was about making an impression, about owning her look and her role as a modern woman in a swinging, ever-changing world.

For the second series featuring Emma Peel, this time to be filmed in colour, Pierre Cardin was originally picked to design Steed & Emma’s clothing but struggled with the demanding requirements of a tight TV turnaround so decided to concentrate on Patrick Macnee’s tailoring only.

Alun Hughes was brought in to design Emma’s wardrobe at Diana Rigg‘s suggestion, herself a personal customer of Hughes’ clothing.

Hughes’ collection for The Avengers was presented at a fashion show at The Palm Beach Casino in London’s Mayfair on the 4th of January 1967. His colourful collection took the sportiness of John Bates’ designs and added romantic fabrics, art nouveau influences, and even more modern stretch textiles.

As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Emma Peel, it’s clear that her influence on fashion is as strong as ever. Emma Peel wasn’t just a spy, she was a style icon who redefined what it meant to be a modern woman.

But perhaps the most enduring aspect of Emma Peel’s style is its timelessness. Her wardrobe was more than just a reflection of the 1960s, it was a statement of strength and individuality. By embracing bold colours and practical designs, Emma Peel redefined what it meant to be a stylish, modern woman.

Her influence can still be seen in the way women dress today, proving that her impact on fashion is as relevant now as it was six decades ago. Men also continue to be influenced by her impact, with each striped sportswear tracksuit.

With the new colour option of RGB which references the colours of televisions, the Titles prints are now available in three sizes & three colour options, Art & Hue’s signature colours of Red, Yellow & Aqua, and Tonal Greys similar to the black-and-white series in which Mrs Peel made her debut.

An official collaboration with Studiocanal, these prints are part of the collection of stylish pop art by Art & Hue inspired by images from the photographic archives of the cult 1960s British TV show The Avengers.

Airing first on the Rediffusion London and Scottish Television channels on September 28th 1965 at 8pm, the fourth series had new iconic theme music by Laurie Johnson and a new title sequence.