Style Icon: Steve Mcqueen, The King Of Cool
At Roderer our mission is to create a collection of leather goods of exceptional quality that appeal to the modern gentleman. That said, we’re not interested in fads or trends or what’s ‘hot right now’. We make products that last and so it’s critical they still look stylish in 5, 10 or even 20 years’ time. That’s why we look to timeless style icons from the past to give us inspiration for the present and the future. Former Hollywood superstar and race car driver Steve McQueen is one such example.
STEVE MCQUEEN, THE KING OF COOL
When it comes to being cool, you either have it or you don’t. Steve McQueen definitely had it. Nicknamed the ‘King of Cool’, the American actor became a Hollywood superstar in the 1960’s and ‘70’s famed for his rugged good looks and tough, devil-may care, ‘anti-hero’ persona. McQueen did what he wanted, when he wanted and didn’t care what anyone thought. He always looked good doing it too.
The product of a troubled youth spent in reform schools, Steve McQueen was well-known for his combative personality and rebellious attitude making him a nightmare for film directors. As an avid motor bike and race car enthusiast he also insisted on doing his own stunts whenever possible, including some of the car chase in Bullitt and the motorcycle chase in The Great Escape. To ensure he was always up the physical demands of this type of work he undertook a gruelling two-hour exercise regimen, involving weightlifting and at one point, running five miles, seven days a week.
What really resonated with audiences though was his bad-boy reputation. Both on screen and off, Steve McQueen was known for being a rebel. He wasn’t interested in being fashionable or wearing styles popular at the time; instead he had a natural sense of timeless style that favored subtlety over flamboyance. Perhaps one of the best examples can be seen in the cult classic ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’, in which McQueen played the lead role of a millionaire playboy who orchestrates a daring robbery as a way to amuse himself. Impeccably dressed throughout the movie, this role cemented McQueen’s status as a style icon. In fact, in our humble opinions this was one of the most stylish movies ever made and has often served as a source of inspiration to us in the design of Roderer products.
Not surprisingly, Steve McQueen went on to become highest paid film star in the world at the time and an enduring icon of popular culture almost without even trying. Even now, nearly 27 years after his untimely death in 1980, he is still considered hip and cool.
Although we could never hope to achieve the fame or popularity of Steve McQueen we can still learn from his effortless sense of style. Like McQueen we focus on being consistent, independent and a little bit rebellious. That’s why each piece in the Roderer collection incorporates a unique blend of elegance, craftsmanship & individuality.
Don’t just take our word for it though, click here to discover our latest collections and see for yourself.