TikTok has just discovered Willem Dafoe's style

If at the age of 68 you manage to earn the title of Drip King on social media, there must be a reason. With Willem Dafoe's return to the big screen in Poor Things!, the new project by director Yargos Lanthimos starring Emma Stone, Dafoe has once again become the talk of the town, thanks to editorial shoots and appearances on Hollywood red carpets, as well as the inauguration of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A composed flair but a personality unafraid to challenge itself, with silhouette and color play exploring even the more feminine sphere of fashion, Dafoe's wardrobe seems to have become the new favorite topic of Gen Z, who on X and TikTok enjoy sharing the star's best looks. As a long-time ambassador for Prada, his proactive spirit in the fashion field continues to garner approval from the fashion industry audience, cultivating an ever-growing following.

Willem Dafoe for Prada shot by Glen Luchford, 1996.

Willem Dafoe for Prada shot by Glen Luchford, 1996.

Willem Dafoe for Prada shot by Glen Luchford, 1996.

Willem Dafoe for Prada shot by Glen Luchford, 1996.

Prada FW12

The relationship between Willem Dafoe and fashion has deep roots, going beyond the usual collaborations with stylists and image curators for various award shows. The actor has emphasized his interest in the world of fashion, stating that facing a camera for a magazine shoot involves immersing oneself in a role. Therefore, clothing becomes a supporting tool as much as film costumes. «You play around, you know, you take clothes sometimes that you wouldn’t normally wear in your life, and you put them on and you try to make them live,» he declared in an interview with A.V. Club. Indeed, the actor's most notable projects share a sensational aesthetic sense, marked by unparalleled color and costume study, from Poor Things! to Grand Budapest Hotel, through Van Gogh. Even the emerald green of Dafoe's Green Goblin has a certain charm. Collaborating with directors with fantastical imaginations, such as Wes Anderson and David Lynch, it can't be said that Dafoe's filmography has a normal style.

For SSENSE 2023

Prada FW12

For SSENSE 2023

For SSENSE 2023

Dafoe's predisposition to take on roles with extraordinary costumes is reflected in real life, particularly through the long-standing collaboration with Prada. The star joined the brand's universe in the '90s, shortly after being nominated as the worst supporting actor at the Golden Raspberry Awards, with a special appearance in the SS95 campaign, and has been contributing to the narrative of Prada's men's division ever since. Fashion enthusiasts never miss the opportunity to share images of Dafoe, Adrien Brody, and Gary Oldman as models for FW12, and they rejoiced again when, for FW22, the concept was reprised with Kyle McLachlan and Jeff Goldblum. Despite both casts bringing together colossal names in cult cinema, Dafoe continues to be the favorite of the brand's fans, and the reason is simple: he is an artist before a celebrity. Thus, the fashion projects he has embraced over the years evoke a sense of authenticity still missing in the 2024 it-boys' wardrobes. In the internet trend whirlwind, Dafoe manages to leave everyone in awe even in a jacket and tie.