Héctor Bellerín on Football, Fashion and His New Brand, Gospel Estudios
Digest
Hector Bellerín, a professional footballer known for his distinctive style, joins the B.O.F. podcast to discuss his journey from the pitch to the fashion world. He shares his story of growing up in a family with a fashion background, his early interest in music and style, and how he found his voice in London's vibrant fashion scene. Bellerín emphasizes the importance of having an outlet outside of his high-pressure career, highlighting how his passion for fashion has helped him recharge and learn new skills. He also discusses the challenges of being a footballer who embraces fashion, particularly in a traditionally masculine environment. Bellerín's conversation delves into his collaborations with major brands like Louis Vuitton and H&M, and his decision to launch his own brand, Gospelist Studios. He explains his commitment to sustainability, modularity, and a collective approach to design, emphasizing the importance of transparency and human connection in the fashion industry. Bellerín's vision for Gospelist Studios is to create pieces that are not only beautiful and functional but also built to last, encouraging a more mindful approach to consumption. He believes that fashion can be a powerful tool for self-expression and a way to connect with others, and he hopes to inspire others to find their own sense of style.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces Hector Bellerín, a professional footballer known for his distinctive style, as the guest on the B.O.F. podcast. The host, Imran Ahmed, explains that he discovered Bellerín through fashion, not football, and expresses his interest in learning about Bellerín's journey.
Hector Bellerín's Football Journey
This Chapter delves into Hector Bellerín's football career, starting from his early days in Barcelona to his time playing for Arsenal Football Club in London. He discusses the challenges and rewards of being a professional footballer, emphasizing the demanding physical and mental aspects of the sport. Bellerín also shares his personal experiences with the industry, including the pressures of being constantly in the public eye and the importance of finding a balance between his career and personal life.
Hector Bellerín's Fashion Journey
This Chapter explores Hector Bellerín's passion for fashion, tracing his journey from early influences to his current role as a fashion icon. He discusses his early interest in music and style, his experiences in London's fashion scene, and how he developed his distinctive personal style. Bellerín emphasizes the importance of having an outlet outside of his high-pressure career, highlighting how his passion for fashion has helped him recharge and learn new skills.
The Launch of Gospelist Studios
This Chapter focuses on Hector Bellerín's decision to launch his own brand, Gospelist Studios. He explains his commitment to sustainability, modularity, and a collective approach to design, emphasizing the importance of transparency and human connection in the fashion industry. Bellerín's vision for Gospelist Studios is to create pieces that are not only beautiful and functional but also built to last, encouraging a more mindful approach to consumption.
The Future of Sports and Fashion
This Chapter explores the growing intersection of sports and fashion, with Bellerín sharing his insights on the reasons behind this convergence. He discusses the increasing self-expression of athletes, the rise of streetwear in sports, and the opportunities for brands and clubs to benefit from this trend. Bellerín believes that fashion has empowered athletes to showcase their personalities and connect with fans on a deeper level.
Discovering Your Own Sense of Style
This Chapter concludes with Hector Bellerín offering advice on how to discover your own sense of style. He emphasizes the importance of experimentation, getting to know your body, and finding pieces that you truly love. Bellerín believes that style is a journey of self-discovery and that limiting yourself can lead to creativity and confidence.
Keywords
Hector Bellerín
Hector Bellerín Moruno is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for La Liga club Real Betis. He is known for his distinctive personal style and his outspoken views on social and environmental issues. Bellerín has been called the "world's best dress footballer" and has collaborated with major fashion brands like Louis Vuitton and H&M. He is also the founder of Gospelist Studios, a sustainable fashion brand that focuses on modularity and a collective approach to design.
Gospelist Studios
Gospelist Studios is a sustainable fashion brand founded by professional footballer Hector Bellerín. The brand is known for its commitment to using recycled materials, creating modular pieces that can be worn in multiple ways, and fostering a collective approach to design. Gospelist Studios emphasizes transparency and human connection, highlighting the people and processes involved in creating its products. The brand's mission is to encourage a more mindful approach to consumption and to promote sustainability in the fashion industry.
Sustainable Fashion
Sustainable fashion is a movement that aims to minimize the environmental and social impact of the fashion industry. It encompasses a wide range of practices, including using recycled materials, reducing waste, promoting fair labor practices, and advocating for ethical sourcing. Sustainable fashion brands often focus on creating durable, high-quality garments that are designed to last, encouraging a shift away from fast fashion and disposable clothing.
Modularity in Fashion
Modularity in fashion refers to the design of garments that can be easily adapted and customized. Modular pieces can be combined in different ways to create multiple looks, extending their wearability and reducing the need for new purchases. This approach promotes sustainability by maximizing the use of existing garments and reducing waste.
Collective Design
Collective design is a collaborative approach to fashion design that involves multiple individuals working together to create a product. This approach emphasizes teamwork, shared decision-making, and a focus on the collective good. Collective design can foster a sense of community and transparency, highlighting the people and processes involved in creating a product.
Streetwear
Streetwear is a style of clothing that originated in the 1990s and is characterized by its casual, urban aesthetic. It often incorporates elements of hip-hop, skateboarding, and surf culture. Streetwear brands typically focus on graphic tees, hoodies, sneakers, and other casual wear. The style has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many high-end fashion brands incorporating streetwear elements into their collections.
David Beckham
David Beckham is a former English professional footballer who is widely considered one of the greatest players of his generation. He is also a fashion icon, known for his stylish appearances both on and off the pitch. Beckham has collaborated with major fashion brands like Adidas and H&M, and he has launched his own clothing line, David Beckham Bodywear. He is credited with helping to break down barriers between sports and fashion, paving the way for other athletes to embrace style.
Fashion Icon
A fashion icon is a person who is widely recognized for their style and influence on fashion trends. Fashion icons can be celebrities, designers, models, or anyone who sets trends and inspires others with their unique sense of style. They often have a strong personal brand and a distinct aesthetic that resonates with a large audience.
Side Hustle
A side hustle is a secondary source of income that is pursued in addition to a primary job. Side hustles can be anything from freelance work to starting a small business. They can provide a way to earn extra money, develop new skills, and pursue passions outside of one's main career.
Q&A
How did Hector Bellerín's interest in fashion develop?
Bellerín's interest in fashion stemmed from his family background, his early exposure to music and style, and his experiences in London's vibrant fashion scene. He found a way to express himself through clothing, particularly during his time in London where he was surrounded by creative individuals and a thriving fashion industry.
Why did Hector Bellerín decide to launch his own brand, Gospelist Studios?
Bellerín's decision to launch Gospelist Studios was driven by his desire to create a more sustainable and ethical fashion brand. He was inspired by his experiences with collaborations and his growing understanding of the fashion industry's impact on the environment and society. He wanted to create a brand that reflected his values and promoted a more mindful approach to consumption.
What are the key principles behind Gospelist Studios?
Gospelist Studios is built on three key principles: sustainability, modularity, and a collective approach to design. The brand uses recycled materials whenever possible, creates pieces that can be worn in multiple ways, and emphasizes transparency and human connection in its production process. Bellerín believes that these principles are essential for creating a more responsible and ethical fashion industry.
How does Hector Bellerín see the future of sports and fashion?
Bellerín believes that the intersection of sports and fashion is a natural progression, driven by the increasing self-expression of athletes, the rise of streetwear in sports, and the opportunities for brands and clubs to benefit from this trend. He sees fashion as a way for athletes to showcase their personalities and connect with fans on a deeper level.
What advice does Hector Bellerín have for people who want to discover their own sense of style?
Bellerín encourages experimentation, getting to know your body, and finding pieces that you truly love. He believes that style is a journey of self-discovery and that limiting yourself can lead to creativity and confidence. He also emphasizes the importance of finding pieces that you feel good in and that reflect your personality.
Show Notes
Footballer Héctor Bellerín first made a name for himself with his defensive skills on the pitch but it’s his outspoken views and distinctive personal style that have transformed the Spanish right-back into a cultural trailblazer.
Now, Héctor, who has been called “the world’s best-dressed footballer”, is launching a new label, Gospel Estudios, which has served a creative outlet as he continues to play football.
“This was a way to recharge my battery. It was a way of learning something new, do stuff with my hands, trying new things. It was a process of discovery and learning and trial and error,” he says.
This week on The BoF Podcast, Héctor sits down with me to talk about the burgeoning relationship between fashion and football, how he developed his strong sense of personal style, and to share his plans for the launch of Gospel Estudios for the first time on The Business of Fashion.
Key Insights:
- After starting his career in Barcelona, Bellerin moved to London in 2011 to play for Arsenal. During his nine years at the club his off-duty style gained him both media admiration and criticism. “I got a lot of stick when I was at Arsenal and things didn’t go well, a lot of people used to say he’s not playing well because he’s focused on fashion,” he says.
- Héctor Bellerín looked to another footballer, David Beckham, as an example of how to bridge the gap between fashion and sport. “He opened doors for everyone. And I think not just in football, but for men overall … In these very masculine places it’s very hard to be different.”
- At Gospel Estudios, dependence, rather than independence, is the foundation upon which Bellerín is building his sustainable brand. “My mom works in the studio. My friend’s dad works in the studio. My granddad repaired sewing machines back in the day so he repairs the same machines,” he says. “It’s important to let people know that we are dependent. We are dependent on a lot of people.”
- Sharing his philosophy on responsible consumption, Bellerín encourages potential buyers of Gospel Estudios to really think about the item in question before they buy it. “Take the time to just breathe and think, is this something that I am ready to have a relationship with? Because this is what it is.”
Additional Resources:
- Inside the Big Business of Styling Athletes: NBA stars and footballers are leaning on a network of powerful style consultants to help shape their personal brands outside of their day jobs, laying the groundwork for lucrative brand deals.
- Why Luxury Brands Want in on Football: Despite the rocky history between fashion and football, luxury brands from Moncler to Dior are looking to benefit from the cultural power and global audience of the world’s most popular sport.
- How Athletes Became Fashion Week Royalty: It’s not just sports superstars sitting front row at fashion week. Today, luxury labels are looking to work with emerging athletes from niche sports, giving rise to new dealmakers who match brands with eager skateboarders, boxers and rugby players.
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