Starmer's Playful Tribute to Macron's Aviator Style
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has sparked laughter and headlines by donning a pair of aviator sunglasses in a clear and humorous nod to French President Emmanuel Macron's recent fashion statement. The incident occurred during a live interview at the Political Party Live event, where Starmer was handed the now-famous shades and greeted the audience with a cheeky 'Bonjour'.
A Top Gun Moment Goes Viral
Starmer later amplified the moment on social media, tagging Macron in a post and captioning it with the iconic Top Gun quote: 'Talk to me, Goose.' This playful reference comes after Macron himself went viral last week for wearing similar aviator sunglasses at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, where he paired the stylish accessory with a small quiff and sideburns. Macron's look, though intended to hide a burst blood vessel in his right eye—which he described as 'totally benign'—unintentionally lent an air of cool to his serious warning about a 'shift towards a world without rules'.
Temporary Fashion or Political Banter?
Despite the fun, Starmer clarified that his foray into aviator style is merely temporary. He emphasised that he needs his regular glasses to see day-to-day proceedings in the Commons, highlighting the light-hearted nature of the gesture. Meanwhile, Macron's choice of sunglasses—the Pacific S 01 Double Gold model worth €659, first purchased for the G20 summit in 2024—has had a tangible impact. Sales from Maison Henry Jullien, the maker, have skyrocketed, even crashing their website due to overwhelming demand.
The Backstory Behind the Glasses
Stefano Fulchir, president of iVision Tech which owns Henry Julien, expressed his honour at Macron wearing their glasses, noting in an interview with The Guardian that the president personally purchased them rather than accepting them as a gift. Macron humorously explained his eye issue, joking it was an 'unintentional reference to the 'Eye of the Tiger'—the theme song from the 1982 movie Rocky III, starring Sylvester Stallone—signifying determination for those who caught the reference.
This episode underscores how political figures can use fashion and pop culture references to engage audiences, blending seriousness with moments of levity in the public eye.
