April 7, 2026

Cellotape Talks with Charlie Mann

Shooting an actor in fashion is an oxymoron in a way. The character he’s playing is himself, but he’s never not going to know there’s a camera and a team working on every second. It may not be a “fashion shoot” with a model but the actor is still playing the role of the model. In these images though we can see how Charlie Mann blurs the line by being natural and relaxed and in spite of his responses to some of the fashion questions, and he still looks amused by the proceedings. The clothes are not artificial fashion clothes, but real pieces cleverly assembled by our stylist and team, the look is based around real life and looking stylish, but not around extreme “fashion” and artificiality. This is much harder to achieve than exciting and cutting edge drama, to make the wearer feel that these might be clothes they’d live their lives in rather than simply pose for ten minutes then move on. The team on this shoot and our actor have placed each image and look in a real situation, in a real place and the results speak for themselves, stylish but easy. It truly “a day in the life” and shows how fashion and its imagery can be linked to reality. Charlie Mann offering us ideas on how to look good just wandering around in town, the actor, the fashion team, and the narrative in total harmony. They don’t shout “styled” they don’t shout “fashion,” but what they do show is stylish, and thoughtful dressing with a certain confidence and a hint of swagger. It’s all part of being an actor and it’s all part of the job, clothes may maketh the man*, but in this case the man maketh the clothes. Lovely performance Charlie.

*AI says….” Clothes maketh the man” is a proverb meaning that people judge a person’s character, status, and professionalism based on their outward appearance and clothing. Originating from the 15th-century Latin phrase vestis virum facit by Erasmus, it highlights that attire influences social perception and confidence, famously paraphrased by Mark Twain as “Naked people have little or no influence on society”

Words by Tony Glenville

Above; Shirt: Ray Chu, Tank: Missoni, Trousers: A Day’s March, Socks: Missoni, Shoes: Grenson

Cellotape: Do you come from an acting or performing background and family?

Charlie: No, I do not, my father was in the military, and my mother was a teacher. Forging my own path in this career has been a joy, haven’t none of my immediate or distant family in the industry has meant I’ve had to learn everything I know through trail an error. It makes me feel even more confident in my abilities as I know I have gotten here from my talent rather than my connections.

Cellotape: When did acting first become a thing in your life?

Charlie: Year 5 drama at Rushmoor school is where it all began for me, ever since then I have never thought about doing anything else with my life. The joy I felt in those lessons propelled me into a career in the arts, and the encouragement of my drama teacher Mrs Bishop and my wonderful parents made me believe it was possible.

Cellotape: Were you a “make believe” kind of child?

Charlie: Absolutely. I remember in primary school, when all the lads were playing football, I was running around with them pretending I was a commentator on the game! Very cringe in hindsight, but I was not a sporty kid, so I had to get involved somehow. I also remember many playtimes during lunch when me and my friends would pretend we were being invaded by aliens and we were earths only defence, high stakes indeed. This practice of play and imagination has served me well in my career, as in our profession a belief in the imaginary circumstances is vital so having done it unconsciously since very young it’s something I can buy into with ease. A part of me wishes I was sportier and more social, but I believe my nerdy and weird upbringing has helped me in the long run, long live the nerds.

Left; Charlie wears Suit: Paul Smith, Shirt: Ralph Lauren, Tie: Graffeo, Shoes: Grenson, Right; Shirt: Ray Chu, Tank: Missoni, Trousers: A Day’s March, Socks: Missoni, Shoes: Grenson

Cellotape: How do you relate to costume and your role?

Charlie: Costume is extremely important to me; acting is one half appearance is the other. You must look the part to be the part, and sometimes the simple addition of a clothing item can change everything. Shoes impact your character in a big way. On Power, Origins (I play Tommy Egan) I wear timbs (Timberlands) quite a lot, the style of the shoe and the way we wear it, quite loose laces and the tongues out, has forced me to walk a certain way. I have a bit of a swagger in my walk, it’s a little slower than my actual walk (mainly because I am trying to keep my shoes from falling off lol). My upper body is then changed from the way my lower body moves, and then this effects my face too. It’s all a chain reaction, and it stems from the shoes. It’s gotta be the shoes, Mike!!

Cellotape: What’s your personal style?

Charlie: I wouldn’t know how to define my personal style, I rarely buy new clothes, a lot of clothes I wear have been gifts from Christmas and birthdays, I’ve worn the same baggy jeans for the last 2 years now!! I’m very much a ‘if it aint broke don’t fix it’ type of person when it comes to fashion. I wear a lot of the same outfits, because I like them. If I do go shopping for new clothes it would be from a charity shop, I stay away from fast fashion, I feel like there is too much waste in this world, people have a wardrobe full of things and yet they choose not to wear them because they need new things to impress people. It’s strange to me, who cares? Who cares. Maybe it’s easier for a person like me in my profession, as I am constantly wearing new clothes (clothes from costumes) so I do not feel the need to make a statement with the looks I have outside of work, because my statements are on the show.

Cellotape: Do you enjoy shopping for clothes?

Charlie: No, haha. It’s a nightmare, I am better shopping for others than myself, usually I just see something on the rack and I take it. Never try it on, just take it home and it usually fits. (reading this back, it seems like I’m saying I steal it, I pay I promise!) But I’ve had so many bad experiences shopping I basically wear the same stuff over and over.

Left; Charlie wears Cardigan: Nanushka, Shirt: Spoke, Shorts: 40 Colori, Socks: Tabio, Shoes: Grenson, Right; Coat & Trousers: 40 Colori, Shirt: Wax London, Tie: Tiestore.PL

Cellotape: Anyone whose style you especially admire, past or present?

Charlie: Someone like Paul Newman, Robert Redford or even Brad Pitt.

Cellotape: Any designers or brands you love or would buy and wear?

Charlie: Not really. Maybe vintage Armani or Versace suits, wide shoulders and a baggy fit. I would like to wear a beret, whoever does those I would buy from them.

Cellotape: Is modelling nowadays part of an actor’s professional life and career?

Charlie: I think there is a push to do it, I mean look at all the billboards in Times Square or Oxford Circus and you are guaranteed to see an actor on there. The professions are slightly similar, cousins if you will, one is a moving picture and the other is still. But having done this shoot I have a newfound respect for models; it is very vulnerable (especially if you’re shooting out in public) so you need to have a great energy about you and have no fear to look a bit silly.

Cellotape: The role of fashion, menswear and red carpet/awards has changed hugely recently, any thoughts? (I’m thinking especially of the weekends Oscar’s!)

Charlie: Again, I am sorry, no real thoughts. It’s not my cup of tea. I will say though I think people could be bolder, show up wearing something ridiculous who cares! We do a silly job already, no need to be serious. If I ever get the chance to walk the red carpet at the Oscars (fingers crossed touch wood) id wear a full knight suit. Why not. Could be fun. Could be cringe. But you’d get some great photos!

Left; Shirt: Ray Chu, Tank: Missoni, Trousers: A Day’s March, Socks: Missoni, Shoes: Grenson, Right; Blazer: 40 Colori, Shirt: 40 Colorim, Trousers: D Squared, Socks: Tabio, Shoes: Grenson, Tie: Stylists own

Cellotape: Do you think it’s part of an actor’s job to always be “on show”?

Charlie: No, not at all. You can’t be, you’d burn out. Sometimes you have to be a human being who wakes up puts on some trackies and gets a coffee, the street isn’t the runway. No one should really care how you look outside of working hours, and if they do, they’re weird.

Cellotape: Anything about fashion you love or hate?

Charlie: From the outside looking in, as someone who is not a fashion geek, it feels very pretentious. The runway shows with people sitting on either side with their phones out recording these ethereal models walking down in practically alien clothing. I’m sure if I watch the devil wears prada id get it, but to me a lot of the time the clothes look impractical and ugly. But then again, I suppose it is living breathing art, so I can appreciate it in a way. But I think something I do love is the expressiveness which we derive from our clothes, all across the world there are iconic pieces of clothing that indicate where a person is from, what they believe and how they feel. It is a device we use to communicate nonverbally to others, something that anyone can understand. So, it absolutely has its merits! (and clothes are good to wear if you are cold).

Cellotape: Anything about grooming, hair and or skin, you especially focus on or spend time on?

Charlie: Well, with my shaved head now, no. But when I did have hair, I loved to style it, side part, spikey hair etc, I love having hair so I can’t wait to grow it back!! With skincare I use a toner and moisturiser, nothing special (although the products themselves are amazing). For skincare its more important about what you put into your body then on top of it, I take supplements for vitamin C, D, collagen and I drink lemon water all day every day.

Cellotape: Anything you’d like to add about you and clothes and fashion?

Charlie: One day, I hope to be more fashionable. If anyone has any tips, I’m all ears!