On March 3, 2023, Barry Keoghan brought a rebellious spirit to the red carpet at the Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, where he wore a daring custom Burberry look designed by Daniel Lee. Nominated for his celebrated performance in The Banshees of Inisherin, Keoghan showed up not just as an acting standout but as a rising fashion provocateur, using his ensemble to challenge the conventions of traditional menswear with confidence and charm.
The look centered around a tailored dusty lavender double-breasted suit—unexpected in both color and construction. The suit featured a cropped hemline that flirted with proportion, offering a refreshing break from the boxy, oversized tailoring trends of recent seasons. Its pastel tone, a muted nod to early Irish spring landscapes, brought a poetic softness to the otherwise structured silhouette. It was at once romantic and edgy, modernizing the British tailoring legacy through a distinctly personal lens.
Layered beneath the blazer was a fine mesh turtleneck, adding texture and a subversive undercurrent to the ensemble. The sheer fabric introduced a dose of sensuality, subtly challenging the stiff norms often associated with men’s suiting. Instead of polished dress shoes, Keoghan finished the look with chunky black creepers—sturdy, subcultural footwear that grounded the outfit in punk heritage and gave it a bold edge. The shoes added visual weight and pushed the entire look into streetwise, avant-garde territory.
Keoghan kept the accessories minimal, letting the clothing speak for itself. His tousled hair and natural grooming added to the off-kilter, devil-may-care styling that made the look feel inherently cool rather than overthought. The overall effect was cohesive and quietly radical—an ensemble that stood apart without shouting.
Speaking with GQ behind the scenes, Keoghan explained that Daniel Lee encouraged him to “step into the unconventional,” pushing the boundaries of red carpet dressing in a way that still felt grounded in character and storytelling. “It’s weird in the best way,” Keoghan said with a grin, describing how the dusty lavender suit drew inspiration from the tones of the Irish countryside in early spring—“muted, soft, but strange too.” It was a poetic and personal touch, reinforcing how fashion can act as a canvas for emotional and cultural resonance.
Fashion critics and fans quickly named Keoghan’s look one of the most memorable of the evening. Lauded for its originality and fearless styling, the ensemble was recognized as a high point in the continuing evolution of modern menswear on the red carpet. More than just an outfit, it was a statement about individuality, experimentation, and the shifting expectations placed on male celebrities in public fashion spaces.
Keoghan’s risk-taking style has made him one of the most exciting emerging figures in fashion. Rather than relying on safe, predictable suiting, he consistently chooses to work with designers like Daniel Lee who understand the theatrical and transformative potential of fashion. With each appearance, Keoghan challenges norms, celebrates personal identity, and helps redefine what it means to be stylish in the modern era.
His appearance at the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards proved that he’s not only a formidable actor but also a bold voice in men’s fashion—unafraid to mix romance with rebellion, and always ready to surprise. In a sea of conventional looks, Barry Keoghan stood out by doing what he does best: making the unexpected look effortless.