London Fashion Week brings titans from the world of fashion to the UK’s capital every year – but while fans are used to seeing famous models, musicians and actors at top designers shows, they may be surprised to spot their favourite footballers too.
Top England stars, past and present, have been spotted in the audience at showcases throughout the week, including Rio Ferdinand and Bukayo Saka – and some have even become the stars of the catwalk.
On Monday evening, Declan Rice took to his footballing home, The Emirates Stadium, where all eyes were upon him. But on this occasion, it wasn’t his defensive midfield style of play causing tongues to wag – rather, he was the catwalk star of the Labrum show.
Rice, 25, stormed the runway in a quirky navy jacket which boasted a white lace-up tie on the front. He teamed the number with a pair of matching trousers and opted for a white shirt buttoned to the top.
Declan Rice stormed the runway for Labrum at the Emirates Stadium as part of London Fashion Week – but he’s not the only top flight male player leaning into his inner fashionista
As the Arsenal and England player leant into his inner fashionista (and even suggested it could be a new career direction), he joins a cohort of fellow footballers who are embracing the world of fashion as they sign lucrative deals with top designers.
Ahead of the Euro 2024 tournament, England and Real Madrid striker Jude Bellingham left fans hot under the collar as he posed in just his underwear and showed off his chiseled abs to become the new face of a campaign for SKIMS, the brand owned by Kim Kardashian.
The midfielder, 20, thought to earn £220,000 a week at Real Madrid, appeared the ad promoting the clothing company’s underwear range for men.
Earlier this year ahead of the Euro 2024 tournament, star striker for England and Real Madrid Jude Bellingham fronted a campaign for Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS
Marcus Rashford, who holds 60 caps for England, teamed up with Burberry in 2020 to promote his free school meals campaign
In the video, shared on the SKIMS Instagram account, Jude sported a pair of dark grey boxer shorts.
Speaking to the camera, he said: ‘I’m Jude Bellingham. Everybody’s wearing SKIMS.’
Alongside the post, the brand wrote: ‘@JudeBellingham for SKIMS. Ahead of the Euros, the record-breaking England player sports our Mens underwear.’
His involvement in the campaign harked back to the career of the first footballer to monetise himself on the world stage; David Beckham, who fronted a campaign for his own underwear brand, launched with H&M, plus campaigns for Emporio Armani.
In 2020, as he made a name for himself outside of football for philanthropy and political campaigns, Marcus Rashford also let out his inner fashionista in a campaign for Burberry – albeit as part of his campaign to open up free school meals for schoolchildren in the UK.
Marcus looked every inch the high fashion model as he showcased a range of looks in the new campaign, despite his humble reasoning for partnering with the designer label.
Marcus wowed in a padded jacket in the brand’s iconic tartan print, which he wore over a sleek cream mac, another staple of the popular fashion house.
He kept the look smart with a crisp white shirt and checked tie, which were styled with a pair of suit trousers and a pair of smart brown shoes.
The Real Madrid star is in England squad hoping to win Euro 2024 this summer in Germany
David Beckham’s iconic photoshoots are one famous example, but other players have too
England star David Beckham wore Emporio Armani briefs in photoshoots from 2007 onwards
In another shot, the Manchester United forward cut a dapper figure in a sharp blue suit styled with a pale blue shirt and dark tie, further accessorised with a small tan satchel.
A third look saw Marcus rock an eye-catching pink and red checked jacket, which appeared to be layered over another jacket in the same print.
Discussing his decision to work with the brand, he said: ‘Burberry is THE British brand with strong ties to the North of England, which is really important to me.
‘It is very rare that I partner in a formal capacity, but what Burberry was offering was different. Burberry shared my vision in bettering local communities through investment into youth centres, which play a pivotal role in the childhood of many, especially in under-privileged areas.
‘We are all products of our community and youth centres offer children in those local communities stability and consistency to succeed at anything they put their minds to.
‘Youth centres have suffered financially due to the global pandemic and closing them is losing the heart of the community.
‘Burberry have led with action rather than words and the impact of this move will be felt for generations to come. I’m thrilled with the outcome and proud to call Burberry my partner.’
Another footballer pairing with a high-end label (although for financial reasons, rather than charity) is Jack Grealish, who signed an incredibly lucrative deal with Gucci in 2023.
The Man City and England player, who has also partnered with brand including Puma and Boohoo since winning fans on and off the pitch, embraced his world-famous calves in the first campaign for the Italian atelier, in a deal thought to be worth £1million.
He donned fluffy sweater vests and loafers with ankle socks to show off both his toned arms and muscular legs in the first campaign he shot for the brand – proving that he’s a fashion lover at heart.
