For those who’ve been eagerly awaiting the first major fashion campaign from Paul Mescal, the time has come. His debut modelling gig as a Gucci ambassador sees him put the brand’s iconic Horsebit loafers in focus to honour their 70th anniversary.
Mescal has upped his fashion game after bagging a role as Gucci ambassador and has been seen stepping out in chic, oversized suits and elevated takes on wardrobe classics in the past year or so. Just last week, for the launch of the brand’s archival exhibition at London’s 180 The Strand, he wore the very same loafers, with a waist-skimming white tee and a pair of dark denims. Clearly, it’s all been leading up to this moment.
The new campaign, which also stars actor and singer Xiao Zhan, aims to highlight “the timeless yet contemporary allure” of the iconic Horsebit style, as both actors look “at ease wearing the original design from 1953”.
An enduring staple from the design house, it’s apt that the equestrian-style loafer with distinctive gold Horsebit hardwear is worn by Mescal with looks that riff off everyday outfits.
In one shot, Mescal wears black slacks and the same white tee he wore at last week’s event, while posing on the floor.
In another, he’s chilling in dark denim and a navy blazer. Though of course, these are Gucci spins on classics, so they’re decidedly elevated in fashion-forward cuts.
Italian designer De Sarno joined the house in January, and in contrast to Alessandro Michele’s more maximalist era, he has taken the brand back to its minimal roots. It makes Normal ‘man of the’ People Mescal seem like a perfect match to wear his first collection. While he has a loveable, down-to-earth demeanour, the actor is also the proud groomer of a fashion mullet, so he comfortably pulls off the cropped tees and short trousers, which give a flash of torso and ankle respectively.
For anyone on the fence about whether smart shoes and bare ankles are a no-no, Sabato De Sarno and his team deem that socks are optional. White ribbed ones are their hosiery of choice if you’re going for a pair to curb the cold weather.
In a nod to some of Mescal’s most talked about off-duty looks, in another shot, he wears powder blue short-shorts styled with a white vest and a trench coat.
In lockdown, there was a frenzy to spot the actor running around London parks in his tiny O’Neills Irish sports shorts and retro windbreakers. So when Gucci released its own sporty GAA micro shorts in 2020, and fans tagged Mescal to say they hoped he’d been sent a pair, he commented: “I mean I certainly would not say no.” Looks like his wish has been fulfilled — and then some.
Keep your eyes peeled for Mescal out and about in East London with his running gear swapped for tailored shorts and Horsebit loafers.
