The hype around Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers is real. The film—which stars Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor—centers around Tashi (Zendaya), a tennis prodigy-turned-coach who’s coaching her husband Art (Faist) as he prepares to play against Patrick (O’Connor)—her ex-boyfriend and Patrick's ex-best friend. Cue the drama! Cue the hot A-listers.
While the film doesn’t release until April 26, the stars of the project have already begun their press tour with a handful of red carpet appearances. (Zendaya’s tennis-themed Loewe dress is a must-see if you missed it.) Thus far, O’Connor’s approach to menswear has been a highlight. With a few looks under his belt, the star is putting a unique stamp on classic mens staples—from suits to coats.
Of course, O’Connor has been a fashion star on the rise for a while now, thanks in part to his stylist Harry Lambert (who also dresses Emma Corrin and Harry Styles). For Challengers, the duo have zeroed in on a wardrobe that strikes the perfect balance of casual and dressy. All the pieces have been by Loewe, as the actor is a face for the brand.
For the film’s first photo call last month, O’Connor hit the red carpet—or rather, the green turf—in a brown leather jacket paired with a black tank and black dress pants. The jacket was a subtle update on the classic black moto style, but felt a little more elevated and current in brown. For the Challengers premiere in Sydney, O’Connor then continued his love affair with the color in a brown tailored three-piece suit. Again, it was the details that made it shine: black lapels, a waistcoat instead of a shirt, and those weird (in a good way) chunky lavender sneakers.
Sure, we’re only two looks into O’Connor’s Challengers press tour, but it’s say to say we’re already invested. He’s managed to make timeless menswear codes feel updated and new. For his next appearance, we’re waiting to see if he fully commits to method dressing, like Zendaya has. Perhaps a chic take on a tennis polo shirt? A Loewe tennis racket? The opportunities are endless.
