Barry’s a very sharp suiter
The Saltburn star is already at the top table of acting but now he’s breaking into the style A-list as a fashion icon
HE’S being tipped for Oscar glory again – this time for his star turn in the British period drama Saltburn – and Barry Keoghan has also officially joined the fashion A-league, according to style experts.
Not content with his place at the top table of acting – cemented by his Oscar nomination for his performance in the Banshees of Inisherin earlier this year – the Summerhill boy is now mentioned ‘in the same sentence’ as style icons such as Harry Styles and Timothée Chalamet. Keoghan got tongues wagging again this week when he unveiled another bold red carpet look at the LA premiere of his latest film.
The 31-year-old actor showed up in a Givenchy ensemble of suit, boots and a leather waistcoat, ensuring the look went viral by pretending to kiss his co-star Jacob Elordi.
With the backside presumably worn out of a string of Louis Vuitton suits he donned for this year’s awards season, this latest look could signal another change of direction for a man who likes to make a splash with his clothing.
Stylist and fashion editor Corina Gaffey said Keoghan’s penchant for turning heads on and off the red carpet should be no surprise, given that he is currently working with ‘one of the biggest menswear Hollywood stylists’ in Ilaria Urbinati, who also dresses Zac Efron, Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
Ms Gaffey told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘He’s an Oscar-nominated actor so he obviously would have a machine behind him that wants to make sure that he looks impeccable on the red carpet.
‘I think he has a sense of style that he likes to differentiate himself, whether it’s wearing a tracksuit on a red carpet or adding a quirky detail to a suit. So it’s just working with the right stylist to bring that out.’
The BAFTA winner has previously worked with other influential stylists, including Harry Lambert (Harry Styles, Eddie Redmayne), and Gaffey said Keoghan ‘seems to have found a really good groove’ working with Urbinati.
Laura Jordan, who is founder of Ireland’s biggest style and image consultancy StyleSavvy, told the MoS Keoghan has ‘moved into a different category this year – he’s now in the same sentence as Harry Styles, Timothy Chalamet, even [Taylor Swift’s new boyfriend] Travis Kelce. Clothes are part of his persona from this point on.’
Ms Jordan pointed out that, in hiring Ms Urbinati, Keoghan has ‘quite literally bought into his clothes being a huge part of his persona in the media’.
‘Some people who would attempt to wear such vibrant and eye-catching clothing would be a little bit self-conscious, whereas he really owns it. So he’s got the personality to match the clothing, which is why he is a very popular candidate for the likes of Louis Vuitton, who he’s doing collaborations and sponsorships with.
‘And it’s interesting when we see Barry moving to the Met Gala… it’s a very unusual invite for an Irish actor to get. You can really see how his style has propelled him forward in media circles, and moving into that fashion space has been very smart for him.’
Brazil-born stylist and personal shopper Eider Leite described the Dublin actor’s style as ‘quite eclectic’.
‘He is willing to try all silhouettes and I think it’s a big part of being an actor. His style has evolved from matching tracksuits to tailored suits, yet adding his own twist and inspiration .’