The news of Alain Delon’s passing sat heavy in my heart. It was a Sunday evening (18/08/2024) here in Melbourne. I was overcome with a sense of listlessness and a desire to recognise him in a meaningful way.
A leading light of the French New Wave cinematic movement. A charismatic actor, a style icon. Delon’s turn as iconic characters such as Corey in Le Cercle Rouge, Jef Costello in Le Samouraï, and Tom Ripley in Plein Soleil, birthed male archetypes which can be seen in films to this day.
Alain Delon epitomised the French cool that we so readily associate with the 1960’s. Oozing an effortlessness that left men wanting to be him, and women wanting to be with him. His style on and off the screen has been a mainstay on the mood-boards of those attempting to emulate him.
Tightly bound trench coats, slim-cut suits, high-cut swim shorts. All worn with nonchalance and a cigarette dangling perilously from his pert lips. This was his trademark.
It is often remarked of a bad outfit, that the clothes are wearing the person. Well if that is true, the opposite can be said of Delon. The clothes he wore were largely of a simple persuasion and lacked bold print, but it was the way that he wore them that drew onlooker’s glances. Lorded as a sex symbol throughout the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. Alain would sport hurriedly rolled up shirt sleeves or a blazer thrown, seemingly without thought, over his shoulder as he skulked from scene to scene. More than that, you would not be able to tell if a photo of him was from a movie set or simply in his own life as he swanned about the French Riviera.
A master of the casual tie, Delon would reach for well-cut silhouettes and flattering shapes rather than capturing our attention via flamboyant fashion choices. Playing with drape and material, this was most evident in his mastery of the trench coat.
His acting style brimmed with quiet physicality. Despite his slender appearance, he commanded the screen with his movement and his marble-like eyes. His performance as Jef Costello. The strong, silent assassin whose concrete morals led to his ultimate demise. Spawned a dozen Hollywood copycats. Whether that be the lead in Nicolas Winding Refns’ Drive (2011) or Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver (1976), they can all trace roots back to Alain Delon’s portrayal of the titular Samouraï (1967).
It is no secret that Alain Delon was a beautiful man. Which always helps in becoming a style icon. Though this must not take away from the role his own sense of style played in gaining that title. Which even with age, never wained. There is a photo of him from the late 80’s by a pool, in which his suit has got a little bigger and baggier, but it is still perfectly proportioned to complement his frame.
As a silver lining to his passing, I encourage you take this time to enjoy a deep dive into Delon’s extensive body of work. Don’t worry about scouring the internet for his more obscure titles. Head straight for his hits.
He was a handsome devil, with acting chops to boot, a 20th century icon. I challenge you to watch Le Samouraï and then try not to slide your fingers across the brim of the next hat you don.
