Jack O’Connell’s big dip into fashion

Jack O’Connell is many things: cult British actor and heartthrob, Bafta award-winner, Derby County football club fanatic, and now, he can add another string to his bow: COS SS24 campaign star.

Since his 2007 breakout in Skins as Jack-the-lad nuisance Cook (O’Connell has that exact phrase tattooed on his arm), he’s landed roles in Andrew Haigh’s ice-cold drama series The North Water alongside Colin Farrell and Stephen Graham; starred opposite Emma Corrin in a red-hot adaptation of Lady Chatterley’s Lover; made an appearance in Ferrari alongside Adam Driver and, most recently, played Amy Winehouse’s ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil in Back to Black, Sam Taylor-Johnson’s biopic of the late jazz superstar. A head-spinning selection, to say the least.

​“To properly inhabit someone, it has to be all-encompassing,” he told THE FACE back in 2021. ​“And to be honest, it’s quite an enjoyable part of the job, being able to bring all that to a role. If you’ve got to get fit, or lose weight, or learn to ride a horse, that’s my department. Personally, I feel [doing] anything less than that is a shortcoming.”

It’s only fitting, then, that O’Connell would now try his hand at some modelling, this time alongside Rina Sawayama in a slick COS campaign shot by Karim Sadli, right off the back of the brand’s runway show, which took place in Rome a couple of months ago. ​“I don’t do many campaigns, this will always be a lil bit special to me,” he says. To many more, we hope.

Hi, Jack! What’s your favourite piece from COS’ SS24 collection?

It’s gotta be the Leather Racer Jacket! Just so much attitude.

How would you describe your style?

Chav chic.

How would you say your style has evolved over the last few years?

I’m not sure it has, to be honest!

What’s an item of clothing you’d struggle to leave the house without?

My sunnies.

You’ve starred in so many brilliant projects since your breakthrough in Skins. What’s been your most memorable career moment so far?

Thank you! It’s hard to pick one, but I would say when I began to work in America, it was mind-blowing that my career became international. I love working at home, but it was wonderful feeling my horizons expand in that way.

What’s your favourite song right now?

There’s a beautiful album I can’t stop listening to called Zero Grace by Liam Bailey.

Have you ever told a lie to get a job?

All the time!

Who’s the person who’s left you the most starstruck?

Hmmmm… Probably David Beckham.

Are you any good at keeping secrets?

Proper!

Can you recommend one thing to read, watch, and listen to THE FACE readers?

Flann O’Brien. Liam Bailey. Back to Black.