Introduction
It is rare for criminals to be apprehended within a reasonable time frame by the American police force. It is rarer still for the apprehended to skyrocket to fame as a fashion icon within mere weeks of his arrest. Luigi Mangione has recently emerged at the nexus of fashion, law and media, and has become a style inspiration for many. Following his arrest in connection with the murder of CEO Brian Thompson, Mangione’s appearance and outfit choices have captivated social media, transforming him into an unexpected fashion influencer.
The Man, The Myth
Luigi Mangione is a 26-year-old, Italian -American Ivy League graduate who was arrested on December 9th, 2024 as the primary suspect in the murder of insurance provider, UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson. The crime took place on December 4th, 2024, when Thompson was shot in the front of the New York Hilton Midtown hotel in Manhattan. Based on the surveillance footage taken from the crime scene, Mangione was apprehended quickly, upon being identified by a customer in a Pennylvanian McDonald’s. The public’s reaction to the death has been mixed, with some denouncing Mangione’s actions while others praised him for eliminating the CEO. Being one of the largest insurance providers in America, UnitedHealthcare is responsible for denying timely medical aid to thousands of people. This has caused outrage amongst citizens, furthering the ‘eat the rich’ mentality prevalent in the current cultural context. Many are skeptical of Mangione’s involvement in the crime, touting that he bears no resemblance with the partially revealed face of the hidden criminal from the surveillance footage.
In the court of public opinion, Luigi Mangione remains undetermined of his guilt. But one thing has been decided for certain; the man has style.
Luigi’s Personal Style
Upon the CCTV footage being released, netizens were immediately enamoured by the outfit worn by the criminal. It was later determined that the jacket allegedly worn by Luigi during the shooting was the $225 Sherpa lined Two Pocket Hooded Trucker Jacket by Levi’s. The piece quickly gained popularity amidst the masses with retailer Macy’s reporting that nearly 700 jackets were sold within 48 hours.
On December 19th, 2024, Mangione did a public ‘perp walk’, wherein he was escorted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by a large group of people, including police officials and New York City Mayor, Eric Adams. During this way, Mangione was photographed wearing a fluorescent orange prison jumpsuit. Netizens swooned over the good-looking suspect, with one fashion watchdog account Diet Prada declaring that his outfit was “giving Saint Laurent”. By comparing his prison outfit to that of a legendary designer’s, the account gave Mangione a stamp of approval when it comes to style. It is interesting to note that an NYPD officer who accompanied Mangione also had his choice of shoe highlighted on social media, with netizens pointing out that the officer was wearing Off-White x Air Jordan 5’s, a coveted and fashion forward sneaker.
Like most trends, the support for Mangione has also gone capitalist. Independent sellers have produced t-shirts, jackets, caps, tote bags and other daily items, all printed with sayings like “Free Luigi” and “CEO Hunter”. These items, while initially available on online marketplaces like Amazon, were quickly taken down for violating site guidelines. Interestingly, merchandise has also been created featuring images of Luigi from the beloved game Mario Kart, which gives rise to questions of protecting trademarks and intellectual property rights.
Most recently, on December 23, 2024, Luigi Mangione made a court appearance wherein he pleaded not guilty to the murder of CEO Thompson. He was photographed wearing a burgundy sweater with a white collared shirt paired underneath it, gray slacks, and orange sneakers. Blending casual and formal elements seamlessly, Mangione showcased his easy going, prep style which is undoubtedly influenced by both his affluent upbringing and his Ivy League education. Trend analysts have previously coined burgundy to be the color of the Winter 2024 season, making Mangione right on trend.
Conclusion
Luigi Mangione’s unexpected rise as a fashion icon illustrates how the public’s perception of legal matters like crimes can determine how a criminal is treated. By championing him as a fashion icon, Mangione’s persona has taken on an aspect of romanticization. But it is important to exercise prudence in order to ensure that one does not pedestalize allegations of criminality simply based on the appearance of an accused.
