Joe Locke is the perfect rep for bold and playful fashion

Netflix’s coming-of-age, queer love story Heartstopper was released on the streaming platform on 22 April 2022 and it catapulted the show’s lead actor, 18-year old Joe Locke, to instant fame. Since then Locke, who at the time was studying for his A-levels, has become a darling of the British acting scene and been in demand from journalists, photographers and stylists across the country. Along with his considerable acting chops, one reason for this has been his bold and fun sense of style.

In the short space of four months, Locke has become a FROW regular. We’ve seen the young star, who hails from a sleepy village on the Isle of Man, sport hot pink Ami, go sleeveless in Dior and dare to step out in a pair of vivid orange Ralph Lauren trousers. In short, Locke is turning out to be as playful with his style as some of the most exciting thesps before him, including Billy Porter, Lakeith Stanfield, Kodi Smit-McPhee and the late Robin Williams.

“I really want to have fun with [my style]as who knows if I’ll get the opportunity again,” Locke told GQ earlier this year, ahead of his first-ever appearance at the BAFTAs, for which he wore a Barbie pink Ami suit. “I grew up in the Isle of Man where you’re judged if you wear a nice pair of jeans, so I find it really freeing to be able to embrace fashion in a place that allows me to do so, without being judged.”

With his star only just beginning to shine and with a bright future ahead of him – he’s been cast in the upcoming stage show The Trials alongside his Heartstopper colleague William Gao – we’re expecting big things from Locke. Until then, take a look at some of our favourite looks from Joe Locke to date.