In just a matter of days the wait will be up: we will know, finally, if Paul Mescal is to be marked in Hollywood history as an Oscar winner.
But in the run up to Sunday night’s Academy Awards, where the Irish actor of Normal People stardom is nominated for Best Actor thanks to his role in Aftersun, there is plenty to celebrate. Namely, the blossoming of the leading man’s sartorial stardom, evident to all those taking note.
Build up began in October, with the UK Aftersun premiere during the BFI London Film Festival. Mescal stepped in front of the flashbulbs in a pinstripe Gucci blazer with delicate, horse-bit stitching paired with a tight, white ribbed vest, a double Cartier chain, one silver hooped earring and a fresh set of leather Gucci boots. His hair was ruffled, and his face unshaven with the sproutings of moustache starting to show. It was altogether rugged, and yet red carpet-ready — the start of a number of appearances masterminded by stylist Felicity Kay.
Suits have been the well tailored constant in his awards season style arsenal. There was the double breasted black Prada worn to November’s Governer’s Ball, with a shirt and black tie, followed by one of London-based Irish designer Simone Rocha’s minimalist black suits, complete with cropped trousers and pearl embroidered custom socks, at December’s British Independent Film Awards.
As he entered 2023, Mescal doubled down on dapper dressing by honing in on roster of favourite labels and providing a few hints of what is to come this weekend.
At the 95th Oscars Luncheon in February, Mescal returned to Gucci and pulled off a stoney-grey double breasted, peaked lapel suit worn open and paired with his now signature white vest. He then looked every inch the breton-clad sailor pin-up at the Newport Beach Film Festival in London, opting for a navy suit and white and blue striped shirt by Vivienne Westwood, before dishing traditional black tie at the BAFTAs. Perhaps the best clue to his Academy Awards outfit so far, he opted for a classic black Gucci tuxedo, made dazzling by the 1930s Cartier diamond brooch on his lapel.
It has not all been classic menswear for Mescal, though. At February’s SAG Awards he looked nothing short of precious, wearing a sheer overcoat embellished with chunky crystals and strings of pearls by Simone Rocha. And off the carpet, he has shown a similar flair for detail. For a night at the theatre, watching Cabaret in London, he snuggled up to Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor in a black satin shirt with bright orange flower embroidery, worn with his trusty vest and Vans. And at this year’s BAFTA’s afterparty, he bared his arms in a sleeveless cream blazer — his most daring look to date.
The final appearances before the big night served only to consolidate Mescal’s statement, but never try-hard, looks. A teal Gucci blazer paired with vest and flared slacks made for a handsome appearance at last week’s Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica. And at Wednesday night’s Vanity Fair party for Young Hollywood stars, he was joined by his siblings in a seriously sexy monochrome black suit by London designer Wales Bonner, a black vest and satin cummerbund detailing.
Time will only tell what Mescal and Kay have in store for Sunday, but here’s hoping bare chests and Simone Rocha pearls have a part to play.
