Jonathan Bailey has officially traded his immaculate side-part for something a bit more edgy, and I am absolutely here for it.
The Bridgerton and Wicked actor turned heads on September 21 when he walked into the Chelsea College of Arts for Burberry’s Spring/Summer 2027 presentation. Instead of his signature slicked-back style, Bailey showed up sporting dark, ruffled waves and a long, spiraled fringe that spilled straight down toward the bridge of his nose. It was a messy, wind-blown aesthetic that immediately set off a wave of collective jaw-dropping across social media.
A Leather Ensemble With a Hint of Playfulness
Bailey didn’t just stop at the untamed haircut. He built an entire mood around it, wearing a fitted black turtleneck tucked into heavy leather trousers and thick-soled boots. The all-black base gave off distinct rock-star energy, though he balanced the outfit by adding a pair of small, tinted round sunglasses (dare I say, sexy little glasses…) that brought a playful edge to the dark look.
The actor sat front row alongside a stacked guest list that included Heartstopper star Joe Locke, Fiona Shaw, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jason Statham, and Gemma Chan. Inside, creative director Daniel Lee drew inspiration from traditional art schools, pairing British textile designs by Celia Birtwell against a soundtrack of classic David Bowie tracks.
Moving Past the Regency Coiffure
This visual pivot comes right after news broke that Bailey had to step down from the upcoming West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George at the Barbican, which had been set for summer 2027. With his schedule shifting between massive Hollywood productions, like playing Fiyero in Wicked: For Good, and high-fashion front rows, changing up his signature look feels like a fresh new page in the actors life, perhaps indicating some new projects may be on the horizon…
His London debut also hits right as men’s grooming trends shift away from rigidly sculpted pomp cut-backs in favor of natural texture, longer fringes, and intentional dishevelment. By leaning into longer, darker curls, Bailey proves that taking a pair of shears to a classic look can completely reinvent your screen presence.
