There are actors who play iconic roles, and then there are actors who become cultural reference points. Paul Anderson firmly belongs in the latter category.
Best known globally for his unforgettable portrayal of Arthur Shelby in Peaky Blinders, Paul has always embodied contradiction. He is rough and rugged, instinctive and raw, yet deeply thoughtful and precise. That duality defines not only his performances, but also his personal style. It is exactly why Claudio Lugli has become one of his trusted tailors.
A Global Stage, A Defining Look
In January 2024, Paul Anderson attended the Joy Awards in Saudi Arabia, an event that has rapidly established itself as one of the most influential cultural gatherings on the global stage. The Joy Awards bring together royalty, world-class athletes, filmmakers, and international talent. This is not a place for safe choices.
Paul arrived at his peak, and the look reflected it.
He wore a striking Claudio Lugli ensemble that balanced classic tailoring with fearless expression. A deep blue blazer formed the foundation, sharply cut and confident in structure. Red lapel detailing sliced through the silhouette with purpose, immediately commanding attention. Beneath it, a rich red waistcoat added intensity and depth, layered over a crisp shirt that grounded the look in classic menswear tradition.
It was bold. It was intentional. And it was blinding in the best possible sense.
Detail That Rewards Attention
What truly elevated the outfit was what lay beneath the surface. As Paul opened the blazer, the inner lining revealed a collage of character and colour, a visual narrative hidden from afar but unmistakable up close. This is where Claudio Lugli excels. Respecting the classic from a distance, then rewarding curiosity with detail.
This was not costume. It was character-led tailoring.
The look echoed everything that has made Paul Anderson so compelling over the years. The edge of Arthur Shelby, refined through maturity. The fire, now controlled. The chaos, now deliberate.
Sartorial Edge Meets Storytelling
Paul Anderson does not dress to blend in. He dresses to express. That is why this collaboration works so naturally.
Claudio Lugli designs for men who appreciate craftsmanship but refuse anonymity. Men who understand that elegance does not mean restraint, and that confidence does not require noise. Paul’s Joy Awards look embodied that philosophy perfectly. A man comfortable standing apart, on a global stage, without compromise.
This relationship extends far beyond one red carpet moment. Claudio Lugli has styled Paul on numerous occasions, including for Watch the Throne, produced by DAZN, where Paul served as narrator. The role demanded authority and presence. The styling matched it. Clean lines, strong silhouettes, and garments that allowed Paul’s voice and gravitas to lead.
A Blinding Present, A Defining Future
Looking ahead, 2026 is set to be a defining year for Paul Anderson. In February, The Gray House arrives on Amazon Prime Video, positioning Paul at the centre of one of the platform’s most anticipated dramatic releases.
The Gray House is not a project built for noise. It is built for weight.
Dark, psychological, and character-driven, the series leans into atmosphere, restraint, and moral tension. It is the kind of storytelling that rewards nuance rather than spectacle, and it plays directly to Paul Anderson’s greatest strength. Complexity. His role as Stokeley Reeves is a study in controlled intensity. A character shaped by power, silence, and consequence rather than bravado.
This is a natural evolution from Peaky Blinders. Where Arthur Shelby burned loudly, Stokeley Reeves simmers. The fire is still there, but it is disciplined. Calculated. Mature.
What elevates The Gray House further is the calibre of talent it sits alongside. The project exists in a cinematic landscape shaped by performances from figures such as Morgan Freeman and Kevin Costner. Actors whose careers are defined not by volume, but by gravity. Men who command attention simply by standing still.
This is the arena Paul Anderson is now stepping into.
The parallels between Paul’s on-screen evolution and his off-screen presence are unmistakable. As his roles deepen, his style has followed the same trajectory. Still expressive. Still distinctive. But more refined, more intentional, more assured. He understands that real authority does not shout. It holds.
Through premieres, documentaries, and international appearances, Claudio Lugli remains proud to be one of Paul’s go-to tailors. Not because of logos or trend-led design, but because the clothing mirrors the man. Strong in silhouette. Precise in detail. Unapologetically individual.
As The Gray House reaches a global audience and Paul Anderson enters this next chapter of his career, one thing is clear. He is not chasing reinvention. He is sharpening what was already there.
And at his peak, that clarity is unmistakable.
