Maro Itoje: “My mum highlighted the significance of dressing properly to me”

At simply 26 years previous, British-Nigerian Maro Itoje is among the world’s most fun sporting skills and his meteoric rise to rugby stardom is arguably unmatched. 

Itoje is presently lock for each the English nationwide aspect and the Championship membership Saracens, whereas at 22 years previous he was snapped up as one of many youngest-ever gamers to safe a coveted place within the British & Irish Lions crew, the place he performs alongside veteran Lions Owen Farrell and Courtney Lawes. Impressively, he may boast that he’s a four-time Premiership winner, three-time European championship worldwide, World Cup semi-finalist and a recipient of the annual European Participant of the Yr and Land Rover Discovery of the Season awards. 

And whereas most individuals might be used to seeing him in a pair of mud-splattered shorts and a gum defend, the 6ft 5 powerhouse can also be one of the crucial put-together rugby gamers off the pitch. With a wardrobe comprising smooth separates – turtle-neck knits, grandad-collar shirts and straight-cut denims are mainstays – and the occasional Nigerian conventional gown, it’s no shock he’s the face of Marks & Spencer’s newest marketing campaign.

We sat down with Itoje in a quiet nook of Covent Backyard restaurant Louie to debate what model means to him, who influences what he wears and why his peak is a large impediment with regards to looking for garments.

Model is is a private reflection of you. The garments you put on are an extension of your thoughts and they could be a approach of speaking to the world, with out truly saying something. 

Whenever you’re a child, you don’t care about model. Or I didn’t anyway. As I grew older, I grew to become extra aware of the way in which I appeared. Particularly over the previous ten years, and being extra of a public determine.

My mum highlighted the significance of dressing properly to me. She’s at all times decked out in nice outfits and put-together. It makes me need to gown higher. 

My Nigerian household clothes properly. It’s an announcement. Nigerian gown is quite a bit – my household wears Western clothes, but additionally conventional clothes, like tops with sequins and caftans. Additionally they love Marks & Spencer. After they go to, we now have to go.

I do love a caftan. I don’t put on one usually in London, however I’ve an affinity to it because it’s my heritage. 

I’ve at all times been closely influenced by the model you’d see within the nineties. Rising up, I watched a number of Contemporary Prince of Bel-Air and A Totally different World, and I listened to Bobby Brown and Tevin Campbell. All of them dressed so properly, and I like to copy that immediately.

My model is numerous. That meme that claims, “Get you a person who can do each” is how I might describe it. I can do sensible, however I can do informal. Simply is dependent upon the place I’m going.

My peak can get in the way in which. I’m used to it, however it’s a continuing problem with regards to discovering issues to put on. I can’t simply purchase a go well with off the rack. A tailor is crucial to me. Tailors have grow to be my pals. 

I’m now into loose-fitted trousers. I’m venturing in the direction of these greater than skinnier suits lately. I might by no means put on super-tight denims.

I’ve an open thoughts almost about garments. I might put on just about something, simply by no means three-quarter-length trousers. Nope, not these.

My England crew mate Anthony Watson clothes properly. So does my cousin Beno Obano, who performs for Bathtub and England. He has a really distinctive style in clothes, however he pulls it off.

Tinie Tempah has bought a great factor happening together with his model. He at all times seems good. I additionally like Keenan Wayans – he used to decorate so properly. In all probability not a lot now. 

Saracens’ 2019 equipment was nice. It was easy and just about all black, which was smooth.

I can’t develop a lot facial hair. Let’s not dwell on that. I simply get just a little hair on my chin. It’s coming although.

I’ve an intense grooming regime. I moisturise twice a day, no less than. I’m utilizing this handmade shea butter-cocoa butter cream, which ticks all of the packing containers. There’s a number of cocoa butters on the market, and it’s good to discover one which works for you. Some aren’t thick sufficient and don’t seep into the pores and skin. I want a great, thick one. 

Aqueous cream is wonderful. When your pores and skin wants some further diet, or is tremendous dry, use this. It does the job. I’ve been utilizing it since I used to be a child.

I’ve dreads now. I really feel like you’ll be able to’t have dreads perpetually although. Someday, they’ll come off – I’m undecided when, however they may. I began rising them in 2014. Earlier than that, I had low cuts, I had fades and I even had just a few midi-afro types. 

My hair will get in the way in which after I play rugby. I tie it up and put on a head guard throughout play, which implies it’s out of the way in which.

I like a Theragun. It’s nice for post-training and recreation restoration. I additionally depend on scorching Jacuzzis and massages. Compression pumps, which wrap round your legs and compress the air round them, are wonderful. 

Marks & Spencer’s Autumn ’21 assortment is obtainable in-store and on-line now.

Now learn

Jake Gyllenhaal on why good model is the final word expression of self

The most effective-dressed attendees on the No Time To Die premiere

Daniel Craig's pink velvet tuxedo on the No Time To Die premiere: An evaluation