Known for his delectable taste in fashion and advocacy for shopping sustainably, Real Betis footballer Hector Bellerรญn how now launched a clothing brand of his own.
โWhy are footballers no longer dressing like sh*t?โ, asked Culted Magazine in a recent article.
Itโs a good question, as footballers havenโt had a reputation for being some of the best-dressed until now, despite having the funds to do so. There have been, of course, two exceptions.
In the early noughties, Manchester United striker and England legend David Beckham was frequently criticised for his fashion choices and unique style. He was also accused of taking his eye off the ball when partaking in photoshoots for popular brands and fashion magazines.
Beckham certainly paved the way, but former Arsenal star and current Real Betis defender Hector Bellerรญn is arguably the first footballer to fully immerse himself in the world of fashion.
Since 2018, the Spanish baller has pushed the boundaries of self-expression through his off-duty clothing and various hairstyles. He even dabbled in modelling on the runway.
Despite performing on the pitch, Bellerรญnโs participation in the fashion industry often saw him โ like Beckham โ forced to hit back at critics who accused him of not being focused on football.
โSo many people Tweet me saying focus on the game, having seen me at fashion shows or whatever, and I am just like โdonโt worryโ. I am a human being. I have passions, I have hobbies but equally, I am a footballer and that is my main focus,โ he said at an event at Oxford University.
Lately, football and fashion have become interwoven. Itโs no longer surprising to see footballers wearing Armani, Dior, and Chrome Hearts, or featuring in ad campaigns for high-profile brands. Thereโs even a wildly popular Instagram page dedicated to celebrating footballerโs drip.
Recognised as playing a key role in bridging the gap between fashion and football, as well as being affectionately labelled the football x fashion G.O.A.T., Bellerรญn has launched his own sustainable clothing line: Gospel Estudios.
Gospel Estudios is a made-to-order, slow fashion label designed and launched by Bellerรญn himself.
As a long-term advocate for a more sustainable future, heโs made sure that Gospel Estudios scores high on brand transparency. Its website lists all the materials used in its first drop, right down to buttons, elastic waistbands, and zippers.
Each piece in the brandโs first collection is made of 100 percent organic cotton and lace. The company also makes use of deadstock fabrics to create its products, bringing life to discarded or unused materials that are typically thrown away by high fashion brands.
Fossil fuel based, plastic fabrics such as polyester are used sparingly. So far, they can only be found in the elastic waistbands of Gospel Estudios’ trousers.
Furthering his venture into design, he was named the creative director of Volta, the street version of EA Sportsโ FIFA 2021, with the role of developing virtual and customisable jerseys for players in the game.
It will be interesting to see how Hector continues to push the boundaries with Gospel Estudios as it evolves over time. We’ll have to wait as additional collections are released and more sustainable materials are incorporated.
Though Bellerรญn is widely regarded as the footballer who inspired his peers to engage in high fashion, he is wary of taking all the credit.
Speaking about David Beckhamโs daring style choices during his days on the pitch, Bellerรญn said, โ[Beckham] opened doors for everyone. And I think not just in football, but for men overall. In these very masculine places, itโs very hard to be different.โ
In 2019 and 2022 respectively, British Vogue and The New York Times both labelled Bellerรญn footballโs โmost stylish manโ. He often attributes his unique style to his family, who he described as being โbuilt around fashionโ.
No doubt, though, Bellerรญn has helped to uplift and encourage his peers to embrace and experiment with self expression through clothing. Todayโs off-duty footballers could easily be mistaken for models, actors, or rappers when spotted at fashion shows or lounging in luxury hotels during the off season.
As time goes on, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more players taking a lead from Hector and dabbling in fashion design in the future. Let’s just hope they take the sustainable route, too!
Iโm Jessica (She/Her). Originally from Bermuda, I moved to London to get a Masterโs degree in Media & Communications and now write for Thred to spread the word about positive social change, specifically ocean health and marine conservation. You can also find me dipping my toes into other subjects like pop culture, health, wellness, style, and beauty. ย Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.
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