Gucci Celebrates The Timeless Horsebit 1953 Loafer With Kingsley Ben-Adir
As far as sartorial classics go there is no beating Gucci’s 1953 loafer. At just over 70 years old, the timeless design has been at the top of the footwear game since it was first introduced in (get this) 1953. Defined by the Italian label’s equestrian heritage, the horse bit hardware has adorned the toes of A-listers from Leonardo DiCaprio to Paul Mescal who starred in creative director Sabato De Sarno’s first campaign for the shoe. Now, the designer is turning to fellow silver screen heartthrob, Kingsley Ben-Adir for his latest showcase of the iconic design.
Breathing new life into the 1953 is the rising British star who embodies the sporty style’s spirit of casual, sensual elegance. The campaign shot by Heji Shin sees Ben-Adir in a series of louche portraits sprawled on sofas and chairs. The actor’s enigmatic magnetism heightens the everyday style as a seductive status symbol, striking the perfect balance between the Italian brand’s esteemed heritage and De Sarno’s irreverent design ethos.
Following Mescal as his 1953 muse, the choice of Ben-Adir signals more than De Sarno’s love of cinema. The actor best known for his starring role in the biopic Bob Marley: One Love and as one of the many Kens in Greta Gerwig's Barbie is quickly becoming one of the UK’s actors to watch. Tapping the burgeoning talent to show off one of Gucci’s best-known heritage designs is sure to propel the loafer into the mindsets of younger consumers.
The notably casual campaign breaks from the restraints of our conceptions of heritage by positioning the loafers beyond just a sartorial status symbol into a wardrobe staple. As an unrivalled icon of sartorial excellence, Gucci's 1953 loafer doesn't necessarily need a revamp to stay relevant. Already transcending generations and trends, the design hasn't had to evolve much since it was first introduced. Still, in a strategic move to engage with younger audiences, it doesn't hurt to tap talents like Kingsley Ben-Adir to breathe new life into the classics.
