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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Hannah Marriott

Zoolander 2: Derek reminds the world that he invented the selfie face

Zoolander No.2 film poster
Zoolander No.2 film poster. Photograph: Universal Pictures International

Once upon a time it was all about the quality of your ambi-turn. Now, the most important weapon in a model’s arsenal is the ability to take a flattering selfie – and here Derek Zoolander and Hansel show the world that they certainly have the goods.

In a new poster for Zoolander 2, Derek is resplendent in black sequins – very Sibling spring/summer 2016– while Hansel has opted for a shaggy white coat in the spirit of Louis Vuitton under Nicolas Ghesquiere. Both are nailing the trend for androgynous, gender-fluid design that has recently gripped menswear.

The fact that Owen Wilson looks almost exactly like Alessandro Michele – aka the most influential designer of the season and the man credited with saving Gucci – in an Abba tribute band wig only proves the pair’s exemplary high-fashion credentials.

Gucci’s Alessandro Michele, pictured here with actor Dakota Johnson
Gucci’s Alessandro Michele, pictured here with actor Dakota Johnson. Or is that Owen Wilson? Photograph: Venturelli/Getty Images For LACMA

Though none of us could have predicted it when the first Zoolander film came out in 2001, Derek pretty much invented the Instagram pose: head tilted down, eyes wide, lips pursed, cheeks sucked in. He called it Blue Steel, of course. It has now become the expression into which social media pros such as Kim Kardashian and Olivier Rousteing permanently arrange their face, knowing that somebody’s smartphone is always on them, even on the rare occasions when their own is not.

All in all this is impressive stuff. What a couple of pros.

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