07.06.11

Fashion156.com's Fashion Hero of the Week - Gwilym Gold

Gwilym Gold

What is a “Fashion Hero”? The term itself suggests a ‘saviour’ of fashion; a single individual whose style is the epitome of their contemporary society’s evolving attitude. Perhaps this is why so many fashion icons seem to come from the past decades of the twentieth-century instead of the present. For me, “modern style” is the exact opposite of what the term determines; as a society we seem obsessed with taking inspiration from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, and perhaps this eclectic mix of past styles is what in fact defines us today.

In this sense, Gwilym Gold is at the forefront of contemporary fashion. In my eyes, he is the King of Vintage, but he differs from the relentless crowd of vintage-obsessed, fashionista-wannabes because his style has such a personal feel about it. He takes inspiration from the 80s, the 50s and even the 70s, but makes these pieces so much his own that his outfits become less an imitation of previous styles, and more an extension of his own existence.

The majority of the time Gwilym’s musical background emerges in his outfits; 80s-style vintage jumpers and button up shirts are paired with a vast array of beautiful gold pendants that I am utterly envious of. At other times, Gwilym adopts the more classic style of the 50s, where sophisticated overcoats epitomise his status as a Burberry model. This mix of styles not only defines modern fashion, but defines Gwilym himself, as his transition from boy into man is mirrored throughout his outfits.

It is the personal element of Gwilym’s style that makes him stand out to me as a modern icon. His gradual development into a solo career and a music mogul is clearly mirrored through his style and, as with his music, he has a unique attitude that repels the allure of the mainstream and settles comfortably in individuality.

Posted by Tom Bloomfield

Tags: Gwilym Gold Fashion hero Style Fashion156.com Music Vintage