Aging Like Fine Wine: the Fashion Industry's Obsession With the Older Man

For an industry notoriously obsessed with youth and the idea of keeping things fresh, fashion sure does like to utilise older male figures to showcase its latest exploits. While we seem to be seeing an increase in brands using older public figureheads, the concept isn't a new one. For years now, droves of fashion fanatics have looked to the older gentleman to showcase their campaigns with an unmatched touch and flair that can only belong to someone with experience.

So why do we seem to appreciate the older gentleman that little bit more? Well, for starters, by using a distinguished fellow, it appears to deliver that unspoken added touch of class of touch and elegance, once that might go amiss in a campaign led by your average good looking twenty-something.

Alongside this, one could argue it's somewhat of a novelty. For many, the idea of taking a well-known ageing thespian (such as Steve Buscemi, as recently demonstrated by KITH) and plunging them into the unfamiliar territory of campaign modelling sparks a curiosity like no other, and when done tastefully, it's far more effective than your standard run of the mill editorial.

Given the number of campaigns using older gentlemen, we here at The Sole Supplier thought we recount some of our favourites. From the numerous KITH additions to William Dafoe for Prada, we're taking a trip down memory lane to discover just why these campaigns stick with us as timeless favourites. "Aging like fine wine" never felt more appropriate.

While many of the younger generation may recognise Steve Buscemi for the famed "how do you do, fellow kids?" meme, many slightly older heads will recognise Steve for his expansive body of work spanning near five decades. From his part in '90s blockbusters such as Armageddon and Reservoir Dogs, all the way to his recent work in HBO hit Boardwalk Empire, Buscemi has dominated the big screen, and as of February 2022, he made his first foray into the fashion modelling world.

While typically, some may not see Buscemi as a model material, there is no denying the man's commanding presence in front of the camera. Dressed in a selection of preppy spring-styled outfits, Steve posed amongst a floral display for the Ronnie Fieg-founded brand. Buscemi now 64, seemingly elevated this latest campaign beyond the realms of normality, and in turn, it has been received positively by fans of both the star and the brand.

For many, Jeff Goldblum cemented himself as a style icon all the way back in '93 when he graced our screens as Dr Ian Malcom in Jurassic Park. Despite charming viewers with his signature style and clever quips, Goldblum's Prada 2022 runway appearance might suggest his natural charisma wasn't just for the camera.

Dressed in a mob boss-styled overcoat, complete with thick fleece armbands, Jeff skulked his way down the runway to close out the show. In contrast to his usual friendly demeanour, Jeff (69) showcased a classic "don't fuck with me" attitude, one any fan of high fashion runway will be aware of. To accompany Goldblum, we also saw Twin Peaks' Kyle MacLachlan (62) grace the runway in a double-breasted coat with a contrasting baby blue neck gaiter and gloves.

Goldblum, who was named second best-dressed man after Donald Glover in GQ's 2018 list, is no stranger to fashion and often makes headlines with his unarguable drip and showstopping outfits. Nearing 70, Jeff Goldblum is a living embodiment that fashion truly has no age limit.

While we've seen Adrien Brody (48) showcase both natural style and poise as Salvador Dali in Midnight in Paris, the actor, producer and playwright has also recently begun to further test the waters in the modelling world. In 2012, Brody stunned audiences as he made his runway debut for Prada's Fall Menswear show, but in late 2021, he also decided to link up with the aforementioned KITH for a gritty campaign showcasing his talents.

Styled by Eugene Tong, Adrien exhibited the KITH & Kin Autumn/Winter collection, a capsule consisting of classic menswear silhouettes with a distinctive metropolitan style. Posing alongside a stunning black BMW M6 from the '80s, Brody paid homage to his New York City roots in style, with a diverse selection of rugged shots that highlighted the key pieces from the label.

In recent years, we haven't seen Adrien Brody choose to grace the big screen much, but we wouldn't be surprised to see the star in new fashion campaigns for years to come.

With Willem Dafoe becoming one of the internet's newfound obsessions following the success of Spider Man: No Way Home, the 66-year-old actor has now been catapulted back into the limelight. With an extensive career dating back to 1980, it might not surprise many to learn of Dafoe's previous fashion experience and his particular fondness for Prada.

Known for using cult actors such as Christoph Waltz and Joaquin Phoenix in its campaigns, Prada tapped Dafoe to join the ranks back in 1996 with a Glen Luchford shot editorial for F/W 1996. In these black and white images, we see a trio of Dafoe looks, showcasing a range of smart-casual silhouettes.

Fast-forward to 2012, Prada once again recruited Dafoe for its military-inspired fall menswear show. Focused around the idea of men in power, Dafoe joined fellow actors Gary Oldman and Tim Roth to walk the catwalk in what could arguably be described as a selection of vampiric looks.

Though Willem has no direct brand affiliation with Prada, the actor constantly chooses to flaunt the brand out of his own choice, and will frequently wear it during photoshoots and his day to day life.

Known for playing "charming, careless, terrifying bastards", usually in your favourite Quentin Tarantino films, Michael Madsen appears far from that in the Master Your Craft - Fieg for New Balance 10th anniversary campaign. With acting, producing, writing, directing and much more under his belt, Madsen flaunted his softer side whilst posing for the spring/summer campaign.

Alongside legendary chef Nobu Matsuhisa and artist Daniel Arsham, Madsen flaunted his pair of New Balance RC 1300 for a tasteful campaign in July of 2021. Perched in front of a microphone, Madsen wears a stylish two-piece suit, a white shirt and the signature New Balance sneakers on the feet.

In all facets, we can safely say Madsen seems to be a master of his craft, and now with this latest campaign, the 64-year old seems to have added modelling to that list.

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