DIET COKE ANNOUNCES JAMIE DORNAN AS NEW AMBASSADOR
Grooming by Ky Wilson
London 9th September 2024: Diet Coke is privileged to announce that Jamie Dornan will take on the roll as ambassador for the brand. Jamie will bring his own unique aesthetic, passions, style and personality and build on Diet Coke’s legacy of partnering with some of the world’s leading talent.
Jamie will use Diet Coke as a platform to inspire generations, by bringing to life the new Diet Coke ‘This Is My Taste’ campaign. The campaign shines a spotlight on fans and encourages them to proudly take ownership of their unique tastes, personal interests and own their Diet Coke break moment, however they choose to take it.
Celebrating the announcement of the new partnership, Jamie stars in a new TVC in October, which reveals his own love of cold-water swimming, with a cheeky Diet Coke twist. Joined by a wider cast of characters, from festival-goers to fancy dressers to experimental chefs, they are all united by their bold self-expression.
Jamie Dornan commented on his appointment: I’m really pleased to join the Diet Coke family. The ‘This Is My Taste’ campaign resonated with me instantly as it reminds us all to take moments for ourselves to do whatever makes us happy. Especially if that includes taking a break in your day to drink a Diet Coke whilst lounging on a unicorn floatie.”
Louise Maugest, Senior Director, Marketing at The Coca-Cola Company, commented: “We are honoured to announce Jamie Dornan as Diet Coke’s latest ambassador, adding to the brand’s rich history of collaborating with some of the biggest names in film, fashion and culture. We’re excited to work with Jamie to bring the new campaign to life and truly inspire people to own and celebrate their own style and taste, all whilst enjoying an iconic Diet Coke break.”
This Is My Taste, the new campaign by Diet Coke featuring Jamie will go live in October.
TOM GLYNN-CARNEY - BOYS BY GIRLS
Grooming by Joe Mills
Photographer Lauren Maccabee at DMB Represents
Fashion Ben Carnall
Production Rachel Allison
Photo Assistant Phoebe Somerfield
Styling Assistant Aaishah Perager
Tom Glynn-Carney never had a plan B. He was determined to pursue acting and told his mother that a backup plan was akin to anticipating failure. There was no doubt in his mind. From an early age, he was drawn towards performance as an outlet to express himself without any limitations or fear of reprimand. He found his purpose in acting and sought it with unwavering certainty as if it was already a sure thing. He says, “I never thought I wouldn’t [be an actor], I just always told myself I would.”
This year promises to be a big one for the British actor as the second season of House of the Dragon premieres in June. The forthcoming season is a study of familial discord, focusing on the Targaryen civil war, a brutal war of succession between half-siblings Aegon II Targaryen and Rhaenyra I Targaryen. Stepping back into the shoes of Aegon, a character marred by cruelty and promiscuity, Tom seeks to uncover the trauma hidden beneath the veneer of tyranny this season.
Portraying a central character in a cultural phenomenon like House of the Dragon inevitably brings scrutiny. Tom admits he has never felt more vulnerable and exposed, a feeling he also attributes to the challenges of portraying Aegon's state of mind throughout the new season as the character grapples with the reality of kingship. When the whirlwind of the industry becomes overwhelming, Tom instinctively gravitates towards the countryside, yearning for the vast expanse of space and the soothing cloak of solitude. Here, the outside world fades into insignificance as he finds his way back to himself.
In our conversation, Tom candidly shares his thoughts on the upcoming season, the evolution of his character Aegon, his stubborn dedication to the acting craft, and the wholesome pastimes that anchor him while off-duty.
“I don't get to talk about how I feel completely at home in the countryside and how much value I put on space, peace, and solitude. I find myself really engaging with who I am again when I'm on my own and able to sort of disappear for a while. I live in a cottage in Lancashire Hill Country and there's a river right by and rolling hills and sheep. It's my escape. I think I'd be a different person without that.”
Take in the full 16-page story beyond this teaser. Our brand new Spring Summer 2024 issue Breaking Waves is available to buy online and in select stores worldwide.
RAKE IN PROGRESS: DÓNAL FINN
The Irish actor Dónal Finn is starring - or singing his heart out - in the London production of the hit musical Hadestown. But he saved enough of his voice to chat to us about his childhood, life lessons and greasy spoons.
Hair by Ky Wilson
Date: May 2024, Author: Charlie Thomas, Creative Direction: Brandon Hinton, Fashion Direction: Grace Gilfeather, Photography: Kim Lang
Dónal Finn is incredibly generous with his time when I chat to him at the Soho Hotel in Central London. Interviewees are often quick to the point, with pre-planned answers they know will tick the journalist’s boxes. But Finn is thoughtful with every response, and gives his full attention to our 90-minute conversation over coffee and a red-berry smoothie. It’s especially generous as his vocal cords will need as much rest as possible over the next nine months. He’s just landed the lead role in the award-winning musical Hadestown, in which he’s required to sing throughout the entirety of each performance - and there are eight shows a week.
Hadestown makes its London debut at the Lyric theatre after an electric run on Broadway. It won eight Tony awards in 2019, including best musical and best original score for its jazz-infused soundtrack. Finn plays Orpheus, a troubled young singer who puts his life on the line to save his lover, Eurydice, in the dystopian world of Hadestown. It’s a departure from Finn’s recent work, which includes SAS Rogue Heroes and The Wheel of Time, but he’s never shied away from the mic. “It’s a part of out culture,” he says in a thick Irish accent. Finn, from Dromina in Country Cork, is part of a new generation of exceptionally talented Irish actors looking to put their mark on stage and screen.
Suede overshirt, pleated trousers and roll-neck, all Ralph Lauren Purple Label
Chambray shirt and pleated trousers, Brunello Cucinelli; fine knitted silk tie, Budd Shirtmakers; watch, Royal Oak Selfwinding, 37mm, Audemars Piguet.
Suede overshirt, pleated trousers and roll-neck, all Ralph Lauren Purple Label.
How would you describe Hadestown?
The show was originally booked until July or August, but now it’s been extended to December. It will be the longest stretch of theatre I’ve done. It’s entirely sung-through, so there isn’t any dialogue as such, and the conversations happen to music. There’s a heightened kind of reality to it.
The story of Hadestown is based on two Greek mythic love stories, which are the stories of Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone. Essentially, the world is in disarray because the seasons are out of line, and there’s only a roasting summer and a freezing winter. Orpheus meets Eurydice - she changes the course of his life and they fall in love, but they get divided in a storm. Along the way, she’s coaxed into going to the underworld of Hadestown, where she’s offered all the comforts of food and shelter, and when Orpheus learns this he starts a quest to save her. And it’s all through song. The music is by Anaïs Mitchell, and it’s amazing. It has a quantity of jazz and a kind of 1920s New Oreleans deal within it, but she’s a folk singer as well, so it has this fireside quality in a kind of storytelling tradition.
Have you always sung?
I started singing in school, but there was always music in our house. I suppose it’s like a part of the family tradition as well. For family gatherings, as the night rolls on people do start to sing. So the notion of singing in front of other people I always saw as a kid. People that aren’t from Ireland or whatever, maybe that’s not their background, but it’s definitely part of our culture.
Suede overshirt and pleated trousers, Ralph Lauren Purple Label; T-Shirt, Sunspel; watch, Royal Oak Selfwinding, 37mm, Audemars Piguet; necklace, Dónal’s own.
Suede overshirt and pleated trousers, Ralph Lauren Purple Label; T-shirt, Sunspel; watch, Royal Oak Selfwinding, 37mm, Audemars Piguet; neklace, Dónal’s own.
Who are some of the people who have had the biggest impact on you and your career?
I have a lot of inspirational influences from people I haven’t worked with - people I really admire, like Jessie Buckley, Cillian Murphy. People who are doing incredible, incredible work; people navigating that line between stage and screen. I worked with Jack O’Connell on SAS Rogue Heroes, and that was my first time doing a screen job with a character that had a big arc. He put me at ease with the creative progress, and I didn’t feel nervous telling him that this was kind of a new thing for me. He was so generous and careful in discussing the scenes, the relationship between that characters, and exploring what risks we could take in the scenes that would live in the parameters of this amazing script from Steven Knight. He was really generous and has stayed constantly, really supportive and really engaged. Yeah, he’s a great man.
What’s the most important life lesson you’ve learned?
It’s a lesson I’m still learning. I have by no means mastered it and I need to practice it a lot more: it’s the importance of keeping things in balance in your life. And trying to ensure there’s a harmony between work and family, life and friendships and relationships. Anything that’s going to be good in your life is not goof because of it being passive. Even relationships with friends that you’ve had for years. Family, partners, they all have to be worked on. I think that’s a massive lesson.
With such a long run of live performances, how do you wind down?
Last year I got a bit into exercise and looking after that side of me. I like to run a lot. And I’d like to balance that out with a bit of different exercise this year, because I did a lot of running last year. There is something comforting about the routine and the structure of theatre which is different to filming. But I'll switch off by seeing my mates as well. They’re a big part of my life.
Leather bomber, knitted polo, Dunhill; Coniston boots, Crockett & Jones; watch, Royal Oak Selfwinding, 37mm, Audemars Piguet.
Leather, bomber, knitted polo and pleated trousers, Dunhill; Coniston boots, Crockett & Jones; watch, Royal Oak Selfwinding, 37mm, Audemars Piguet.
What is the best city in the world?
I have an awful lot of love for Cork, because I think I could definitely live there. I don’t really see any faults with the city, and love the humour of the city. And then I have a lot of love for Prague. I think that’s because of the experiences and the people I’ve met there when filming The Wheel of Time. We’ve built a bit of a community there, and it’s picturesque and has incredible food.
Favourite restaurant in London?
I love a greasy spoon. I like going to Bar Bruno in Soho because it’s so reliable. It’s so close to the theatre at the moment. There’s crisp in Hammersmith. It’s kind of like a pub but it does really good pizzas. There’s some great places in Shoreditch as well, like Padella and Manteca for pasta.
Aside from Hadestown, what are you most excited about this year?
We are wrapped on season three of The Wheel of Time. But I think this year could be an opportunity, while I have the routine and structure of theatre, to go about exploring other outlets, like writing, creating. If you’re an actor, you naturally have an interest in telling stories. I think there’s a further exploration of that, obviously, in being part of creating a story that you want to be told.
Locklear leather jacket and pleated trousers, Ralph Lauren Purple Label; cable knit jumper, Polo Ralph Lauren; York fedora, Lock & Co.'; neckerchief, Anderson & Sheppard.
Locklear leather jacket and pleated trousers, Ralph Lauren Purple Label; cable knit jumper, Polo Ralph Lauren; York fedora, Lock & Co.'; neckerchief, Anderson & Sheppard.
DEL WATER GAP- BOYS BY GIRLS
Grooming by Andy Smith
Photography Ruth Hodder
Fashion Rachel Allison
Interview Tari La Fauci
WONDERLAND - SAM CLAFLIN
The Daisy Jones & The Six star talks the connection of the cast and prioritising his mental health.
“I relish the opportunity of providing people an escape from their own lives. I love watching films and I’m learning to love reading too, telling stories; watching them; listening to them; reading them. They should leave a person asking questions about their own lives or wanting to learn more about the story in front of them or the people in it. Stories allow us the opportunity to feel something - be it purely entertained or otherwise.”
Covering our Summer 2023 issue, Daisy Jones & The Six’s Sam Claflin is back from the ‘70s. Now living in the moment, the British-born actor discusses his process of transforming into an American rockstar for the award-tipped role, the magical connection of his cast, and prioritising his mental health and role as a father. Pre-order the issue now at wonderlandshop.com
Sam Claflin wears Omega.
Photographer - Rhys Frampton
Fashion - Doug Broad
Words - Scarlett Baker
Editorial Director - Charlotte Morton
Editor in Chief - Toni-Blaze Ibekwe
Editor - Erica Rana
Deputy Editor - Ella West
Art Director - Livia Vourlakidou
Contributing Art Director - Michael Morton
Grooming - Joe Mills
Production Director - Ben Crank
Producer - Isabella Coleman
Production Intern - Lola Randall
Photography Assistants - Josh Showell and Chris Chudleigh
Fashion Assistant - Letty Collins
MAN ABOUT TOWN
YIORGOS COVERS MAN ABOUT TOWN’S SPRING/ SUMMER 2023 ISSUE
Hair by Andy Smith
Buffalo Stance!
Enter, new face in town Yiorgos wearing burgeoning fashion designer Bokh Xuesong Yang on the cover of our Spring/Summer 2023 issue, shot by Bartek Szmigulski.
Photographer Bartek Szmigulski
Fashion by Tony Cook at One Represents
Hair by Andy Smith at Joe Mills Agency
Skin by Kylie McClelland at Joe Mills Agency
Model Yiorgos at Pophouse
Editorial Director Huw Gwyther
Editor-in-chief Damian Foxe
Editor Andrew Wright
Cover design by Livia Vourlakidou
Production Director Ben Crank
Producer Isabella Coleman
Special Projects Producer Mar Indiveri
Production Intern Frankie Baumer
Fashion Assistants Olivia Laghi & Emiliya IIieva
JAMES BAY FOR ISSUE 17 - BOYS BY GIRLS
Photographer Rebecka Slatter
Fashion Nathan Henry
Writer Sophie Razvi
Groomer Joe Mills at Joe Mills Agency using Woolf Kings X, Lab Series, and Dior Beauty
Fashion Assistant Stoyan Chuchuranov
Photographer Assistant Marika Krapivnitski
In the Boys by Girls timeline, this conversation is the third chapter in the chronicle of James Bay. We met him in 2020, in 2022, and today. It’s a fitting moment. As the wave of his fourth album release, Changes All The Time, climbs to a crest, we find a man confidently striding forward, fulled by the conviction of all that has come before. There is an appetite for something new in James. If his last album Leap was about edging towards a new type of vulnerability, one that says “I know I can’t do this without you,” his latest offering is an unashamed embrace of everything he doesn't know and all that he hopes to achieve: in music and in life. We connect over our shared British sensibilities as James immediately offers up, guitar in hand, that the bathroom of his LA eco-hotel has filtered tap water (“That’s mental!”). It’s an openness and infectious humanity that eases us into topics like the ordeal of being seen, and how, admid changes all the time, one can hold onto their artistic integrity.
We obviously can't get enough of James Bay. We especially love him because each time we chat with him he literally plays the guitar and sings through some of his answers throughout the entire conversation. It's like a little mini-concert except we have to act casual when he does it.
James tells us that while he thinks he comes off particularly vulnerable in his music, he thinks he's quite a guarded person. He does, however, always bring vulnerability and candour to our conversations even if it's in the form of admitting that he's afraid of vulnerability. A bit of a vulnerability inception, no? Okay, we'll stop saying the word "vulnerable" but it is the first word that comes to mind when we think of James throughout the years.
His album is aptly titled, Changes All The Time, as most of our conversation revolves around changes in his becoming a father (lots of nappies as the main change) and maybe more importantly, the changes that come with his filtered tap water LA bathroom. Here is a sneak peek for you:
"I am surprised that we are constantly a work in progress, always. I slightly hate to confess, because it takes a bit of vulnerability, but I'm still a work in progress. I'm sure I always will be. I'm a little bit embarrassed to say it because I’m trying my fucking damnedest to feel all right on this roller coaster journey."
This print issue, we all learn to try not to feel shame in being a work in progress.
