I am Loki, of Asgard, and I am burdened with glorious socks.
A comprehensive look at Tom Hiddleston, his events, his work, and his outfits...and the occasional fundraiser.
Tom Hiddleston was revealed as the cover star of M2 Magazine's July/August issue.
WHO NEEDS THE AVENGERS WHEN YOU HAVE THIS GUY --- BIG FACTS!!!
Some of my favorite quotes from the interview by Isaac Taylor:
Firstly, the opening line is "Let's not pretend that the Avenger's most persistent villain and antihero isn't the best character in the Marvel universe." and I think we could have just ended with that. Print.
Tom on his reaction to being approached about the Loki series: "... I've done six movies as Loki. And those movies really are the Thor saga. They're all about Loki's connection to Thor, his connection with his family. Where do we go now? What have we not done? What's new? What's original? And that was the most inspiring conversation. I remember leaving it thinking, this is going to be very, very new because the character has got so much breadth and so much depth. That's been the gift to me as an actor. Loki is almost this endlessly fascinating box of tricks where the moment you think you know him, he reveals something else.
Tom on how he hopes fans react to the show: "For anyone out there who loves Loki, this is the guy you know: he's still the god of mischief. But this takes him to another level. I hope the fans and the audience feel the same excitement, the same passion, and the same possibility that we all felt when we were making it..."
Tom on what it feel take for Loki to feel that he's no longer in Thor's shadow: "Loki needs to evolve. The cycle was: Loki is trusted, he betrays, he becomes a villain, he learns to trust again, he's betrayed, he becomes trusting again, he can be trusted again, then he betrays or feels betrayed. It's just this endless cycle of trust and betrayal and resistance. And the character is essentially singing the same song over and over again... In this story, we're showing that he can change, that he can grow. And what if the experience of that, and the journey he goes on, actually changes something internal where he can potentially become someone else, or begin from a place of understanding that, if you know who you are, then who you choose to be is a different thing.
Tom on the tone of the Loki series: "We all really wanted the tone of the show of the show to represent the best of Loki's character. I think Loki's character has this extraordinary range that Loki can be fun, light hearted and witty. He's always got a good line: he's the god of mischief, after all. So, we wanted the show to be imbued with his mischief, a sense of fun and a sense of momentum. But we also know that Loki has this very sensitive, damaged, broken heart with an enormous capacity to feel - to feel emotion on the biggest scale. And to go to some quite profound places that explore some of the deepest experiences of being alive that are about loneliness and sadness and anger and grief and loss. And so, we wanted the tone of the whole show to have all of it, to have that sense of fun, to have that sense of mischief. And to have that sense of emotional depth and emotional breadth that hopefully could be contained in this epic story, which starts from the things that people are familiar with.
The images in this magazine are a composite of photos taken in 2019 by Ricky Middlesworth (for the launch of Disney+), and additional images taken in 2020 by Chuck Zlotnick (Loki set photographer).
Fashion:
I'll start with the most important item - los calcetines. My inbox and tags blew up with asks about this. Anyone who has followed this blog for any amount of time knows that socks are my thing that goes all the way back to when the blog was started. It's even my bio: I am Loki, of Asgard, and I am burdened with glorious socks.
Which is major deja vu to Tom's first major sock moment when he appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live in March 2016. He was a) styled by Ilaria Urbinati, and b) wearing London Sock Co.
**I apologize for this post being uploaded so late - I forgot to push the publish button. You all can understand my mind being a little rattled after seeing this photoshoot right?!? ***
During the Disney+ Streaming Day event, Entertainment Weekly announced their newest digital cover star, Tom Hiddleston. My only issue with a digital cover is that it means I can't go buy this in the stores. We need physical copies of this!
The graphic video cover, included several rejected Headlines for the coverstory including: Loki Returns, Loki Charms, and Livin La Vida Loki. Ultimately, they settled upon LOKI TAKES OVER.
I will add that the Loki Charms headline was an easter egg, because a few days later they announced a special Loki collector's edition of Lucky Charms
There’s been a disruption in our reality & Lucky Charms have shape-shifted into a new #MischievouslyDelicious form ✨
Some of my favorite quotes from the interview (Chancellor Agard):
Kevin Feige on why Loki was one of the first shows on Disney+: "[fans wanted] More Hiddleston, more Loki."ain't that the truth.
Kenneth Branagh on casting Tom as Loki after he originally auditioned for Thor: 'Tom has a wild imagination, so does Loki. He's got a mischievous sense of humor and he was ready to play, it felt like he had a star personality, but he was a team player."
Tom on the Loki series: "I love this idea [of] Loki's chaotic energy somehow being something we need. Even though, for all sorts of reasons, you don't know whether you can trust him. You don't know why he's doing what he's doing. If he's shapeshifting so often, does he even know who he is? And is he even interested in understanding who he is? Underneath all those masks, underneath the charm and the wit, which is kind of a defense anyway, does Loki have an authentic self? Is he introspective enough or brave enough to find out? I think all of those ideas are all in the series - ideas about identity, ideas about self-knowledge, self-acceptance, and the difficulty of it."
Director Kate Herron on Loki School: "I got [Tom] to do a thing called Loki School when we first started. I asked him to basically talk through his 10 years of the MCU - from costumes to stunts, to emotionally how he felt in each movie. It was fantastic."
Tom on filming Loki during the pandemic: "It will remain one of the absolute most intense, most rewarding experiences of my life. It's a series about time, and the value of time, and what time is worth, and I suppose what the experience of being alive is worth. And I don't quite know yet, and maybe I don't have perspective on it, if all the thinking and the reflecting that we did during lockdown ended up in the series. But in some way, it must have because everything we make is a snapshot of where we were in our lives at that time."
Tom on whether there will be more Loki: "I'm open to everything. I have said goodbye to the character [again]. I've learned not to make assumptions. I suppose, I'm just grateful that I'm still here, and there are still new roads to explore."
Photography by Charlie Gray
Fashion:
The photoshoot was styled by Holly White. A new stylist for Tom, but a frequent collaborator with Tom's Betrayal co-star Zawe Ashton and long-time friend Hayley Atwell. You can see more of her work here. Tom's go-to groomer, Petra Sellge, was also on hand.
The cover suit was from Giorgio Armani.
Those who have followed Tom (and this blog) for some time will know how important Giorgio Armani was to Tom Hiddleston's early career. Before Gucci, Before Ralph Lauren, Before McQueen etc, it was Armani. Armani was the first major designer to dress Tom for events and premieres. Tom wore Armani pretty much exclusively from 2010-2013. So, you're looking at all the promo for Thor, The Avengers, and Thor': The Dark World in Armani. There was never a proper endorsement but Tom Hiddleston was referred to as a "friend of the House". For Tom to be wearing Armani again, as Loki steps out from the shadow of the Thor and the Avengers, is definitely very significant.
The other two looks from the photoshoot are Scabal.
I can't find any record of Tom ever wearing Scabal before, not even for a photoshoot. Scabal is originally a Belgian company that opened its store on Savile Row London in 1972, Most of their fabric is woven in Huddersfield, England.
The second suit is blue. The lighting makes it appear more grey, but you can get a better look at it in the many video posted accompanying the photoshoot.
Umbrella? Really Tom? 🤣
This video posted by Charlie Gray is the real winner. fyi: If I ever tried that marker trick I would hit myself in the face.
Officially, Thursday is meant to be Thorsday but Empire Magazine made April 8th all about Loki with a teaser for their upcoming Loki Special. Available online and in newsstands April 15, 2021. Photographed by Steve Schofield. Interviewed by Chris Hewitt.
On Loki Day (April 9th), Empire released the cover photo, as well as the special subscribers cover.
Some of my favorite quotes:
On how test audiences refused to believe Loki was dead in Thor: The Dark World, which prompted the ending of the film to be reshot:
"'I'm grateful to whoever those individuals were who said, "Keep it going, don't let that be it". Because that's what encouraged Kevin (Feige) to rethink the ending.
On being approached about the Loki series.
"I got a call from Louis (Esposito). They had had a very exciting, inspiring meeting about Disney+ with Bob Iger, who wanted Marvel to contribute to the platform and create new stories. And within half an hour somebody had said, "Well, we have to do a show about Loki." So Louis called me and said, "Disney are going to do this." And I said, "That's amazing. But he's dead." And Louis said, "We're going to figure something out." I remember saying, "Louis, you have to be gentle with my emotions. I can't keep saying goodbye to this character. Be still, my heart!" But the theme, as always with Loki, is that I get to keep coming back and finding new ways to breathe life into him and invigorate him and keep it fresh.
>>BE GENTLE WITH MY EMOTIONS. Tom Hiddleston is all of us reacting to Disney<<
On the Loki we will see in the series, versus the Loki we last saw on screen.
"...there's a lot of unprocessed, unacknowledged pain. I've always thought the aspects of Loki which are the most fun are the defence mechanisms, covered the aspects of him which are the most vulnerable. He hasn't analyzed that for himself. There's very little self-awareness at this point. I want to preserve the freshness of the show for when it emerges but something to think about is the {shows} logo, which seems to refresh and restore. The font of how Loki is spelled out seems to keep changing shape. Loki is the quintessential shapeshifter. His mercurial nature is that you don't know whether, across the MCU, he's a hero or a villain or an anti-hero. You don't know whether you can trust him. He literally and physically changes shape into an Asgardian guard, or into Captain America repeatedly. I think that the shapeshifting logo might give you an idea that Loki, the show, is about identity, and about integrating the disparate fragments of the many selves that he can be, and perhaps the many selves that we are."
On Loki turning him into a rock star
"Rock stars usually play the guitar extremely well. Or they have inhumanly beautiful singing voices, which I don't... I always saw it as the character connecting. I'm just an ordinary kid from Wimbledon who finds people interesting. That's why I became an actor. Certainly, I had to adjust to a different level of attention. And I may have been confused initially by thinking that people had really extraordinary expectations and I have to live up to them every time. But I just have to do my job, and hopefully that will be enough.
>> Firstly, that is absolutely enough. But... I would like to present to the court Exhibit A that Tom Hiddleston does, in fact, have an inhumanly beautiful singing voice. These is facts. <<
On the directors he has worked with.
"Kate Herron had so many extraordinary ideas and such a deep knowledge of the MCU and the character from the comics, and all the things that hadn't been explored and angles that hadn't been looked at."
"Ben (Wheatley) and I just recognised each other. We trusted each other.
(Guillermo del Toro) "I felt very held by him. He runs a very joyful and warm-hearted set."
"I learned a lot from Jim (Jarmusch). He's extremely knowledgeable about music, about art, about poetry, about science and nature.
"I felt an immediate connection to (The Night Manager pilot). And Susanne (Bier) was the perfect director for that. She understood that very carefully constructed and codified world of John le CarrÄ—, and underneath it excavated something very human and raw."
On stepping away from the spotlight.
"I'd been so many different people in so many different parts of the world, and it's very important to distinguish what's real in one's own life, and look after those things. Because if you don't look after them, they can be lost, or they can be marginalised, and then you come home one day and they're not there anymore. I think Eve in Only Lovers Left Alive sums it up best. She says life is about surviving things, appreciating nature, nurturing kindness and friendship, and dancing. So perhaps, in that moment, I needed to come back and do it. I don't know, to be honest, that I danced a lot. I should have danced more. But I'm sure there are some people who'd say I've danced far too much."
>> Tbh all the questions about Tom stepping away were completely unnecessary. It's alluded to multiple times in the interview. There are multiple questions about it. They used it in the promo for the magazine. If this interview was in 2018, I would understand. But it's 2021. Why are we still playing this game? Tom Hiddleston was back out there big time in 2019. He's always balanced film with televsion and theatre projects. Everybodyhad a quiet 2020 with the entire planet being shut down and all that. And most importantly - that's his business... But his answer is so good. We have to take time to appreciate the people and things we have in life. We all need to dance more. And there is no such thing as dancing too much. <<
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This is the first real fashion photoshoot we have had from Tom Hiddleston since 2016. We had brand specific photoshoots (Style Italia for Gucci and Bosideng) and other interviews where Tom was wearing his own clothes... but this is FASHUN - experimenting with different brands and *gasp* colors. This photoshoot was styled by Eric Down, a stylist Tom has never worked with before but who has worked multiple times with his brother from another mother - Chris Hemsworth. You can view more of his work here.
For the covershoot, Tom was wearing a Richard James suit (similar*). Along with a Reiss button-up and Reiss trainers ($230).
Both Richard James and Reiss are brands Tom has worn irl.
TH loves a Richard James blazer.
The Tardis Blue Reiss suit from Cannes could be the most infamous thing Tom has ever worn. And this blog only exists because of that Reiss coat.
For the subscribers cover, T-Hiddy pulled out the Loki green in Louis Vuitton ($935), Tod's trousers (Spring 2021), and Veja trainers ($145).
Last, but never least, we got to see Tom in his most go-to label, Ralph Lauren (Suit, Sweater). LAWD, This is easily my favorite look from the photoshoot. Hopefully more images will come out so we can see more of the suit. LAWD. Tom Hiddleston shouldn't - he's pale, he's ginger - but does look so good in cream. Plus, he was just made for RL.
We went over a year with barely a snacky treat, but this week as been a bonafide Tom Hiddleston buffet. Tommy did not come to play in 2021.
This is our first Red Carpet event since the Betrayal Broadway Press Night in September 2019, and he was definitely making up for lost time.
Black Tuxedo ☑ Shawl Collar ☑ Double Breasted ☑ ... It could only be Ralph Lauren.
The Floof was especially floofy.
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Here is Tom's Red Carpet Interview. Where he talks about the Best Film and Rising Star nominees - along with the upcoming Loki series.
Speaking of Loki - the entire cast came to serve tonight. Richard E. Grant, Wunmi Mosaku, Gugu Mbatha-Raw.
Tom and Gugu presented Outstanding British Film to Promising Young Woman.
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When it was announced that Tom Hiddleston was presenting at the BAFTA Film Awards, I went back through the archives to look at some of his past appearances. I couldn't believe that this would only be Tom's fifth time at this particular awards show. I just associate Tom so closely with BAFTA that I felt it had to be more. This is also the first time Tom wore Ralph Lauren to this event.
In 2012 (Armani), Tom Hiddleston was nominated for the Rising Star Award - which somehow is still the only BAFTA Film or TV nomination he has ever received. We all know The Night Manager got snubbed but where was the love for Freddie Page?!?! In 2013 (Armani), 2015 (McQueen), and 2017 (Gucci) he returned to present.
Fashion:
As soon as I saw Tom arrive, I immediately flashbacked to the 2018 GQ Man of the Year Awards. It's the same silohette, sans the velvet. I am 100% pro-velvet but it would probably get a little hot in April. He was also wearing Ralph Lauren.
Today's style is from the Ralph Lauren Purple Label 25th Anniversary.
Nearly two years after the first performance in London, the cast and creatives of Betrayal reunited for a Instagram Live session. March 2019, when the show first debuted at the Pinter Theatre seems like another lifetime ago. It's surreal to think how much the world as a whole has changed since then. Theatres have been dark (save for some livestream events) both in the UK and US for a year now. Which makes Betrayal, and it's Broadway transfer, extra special because we the fans were able to experience it fully and together. Who knows what post-COVID theatre will look like?
This Instagram Live was scheduled for one hour, ended up being closer to 2.5 hours - so sit back and enjoy. I couldn't embed the Instagram video on here because it was too long, so here is a Youtube link.
[0:00-6:00] Director, Jamie Lloyd, opened the Livestream thanking everyone involved, and a special shout out to how everything has been impacted by the shutdown.
[6:00-21:23] The first guest was Scene Designer Soutra Gilmour, who worked on the entire Pinter at the Pinter season. She broke down the inspiration for the minimalist, but symbolic design for Betrayal.
[22:09-32:56] Up next was everyone's favorite waiter, Eddie Arnold. This section is sponsored by the phrase big booty. I did not realize that Eddie was Colombian. They have a great chat about Latinx representation in theatre in the UK and US.
[37:09-55:53] Ah Charlie Cox, how I have missed your face. Charlie doesn't have any social media, so this event was his very first time on Instagram. Thank you for joining us! Charlie and Jamie previously worked on another Pinter production, and were able to meet Harold Pinter prior to his passing. Charlie also talked about how he grew as an actor working on this play. The cast took their squash games very seriously. Also, Charlie revealed that they had welcomed another baby this year. Congratulations and blessings to you and your growing family.
[58:12-1:22:05] Betrayal's leading lady, Zawe Ashton, renamed the play from Betrayal to Absolute Trust, because that's what was required of the actors each night. I really love how she breaks down the different reactions between the UK audiences and US audiences both in the theatre, and when she meets them outside of the theatre. I can totally imagine a New Yorker stopping her at the CVS. She also compares casting directors to matchmakers. Zawe was the final Big Booty. *Alexa, play Ms. New Booty.
[1:23:17-2:08:40] Here comes the general, ladies and gentleman, here comes the general, the moment you've been waiting for, here comes the general, the pride of (London, England), here comes the general (Tom Hiddleston)! Tom talked about the journey of taking Betrayal from a single scene he performed with Zawe for the Pinter at the Pinter Gala to the Pinter Theatre to Broadway. Tom and Zawe only rehearsed the scene for 10 minutes prior to going on stage. Jamie contacted him the next day about the possibility of turning the scene into a full production.Tom really breaks down the subtext of the play, and the different types of betrayal they all face. There's a moment when he talks about how on the outside Robert (his character) is very controlled, but internally is soul is shattered. And I think that's what we all felt watching the scene where Robert discovers the affair: shattered. I love all the stories about Melon Mishaps. This was Tom's Broadway debut, he talks about the different energy of Broadway, and the sense of community and tradition he felt. Also, besides a press statement that was released, this was the first time Tom Hiddleston has publicly discussed his Tony nomination.
PS: Where did Jamie Lloyd get this mug? Was it sold at the Pinter? Because we did not have this on Broadway.
They spent two hours talking about the differences between the UK and US productions - we even do swag different.
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Betrayal Broadway has five pending nominations at the long overdue 2020 Tony Awards. Seriously when are they going to announce the date?!? Those nominations include Best Revival of a Play, Best Direction of a Play (Jamie Lloyd), Best Scenic Design of a Play (Soutra Gilmour), and Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play (Tom Hiddleston).
Videos, images, and livestream are all available via jamielloydco instagram.
We haven't seen the last of this Marvelous throuple, they are all united as a part of the Marvel Universe now. Tom Hiddleston will return as Loki in the Loki series on Disney+ this June. Charlie Cox is Daredevil, but is rumored to be playing his character again now that the rights have returned. And Zawe, has been casts in the upcoming Captain Marvel 2. I think there was some foreshadowing during the Betrayal Broadway Halloween event.
I am still, sadly, completely at a loss on identifying the new sweater. Trying to differentiate one thing from another one with only the shoulders to look at is a skill that alludes me. He has a hoodie, under the sweater, which also looks new to me (all his other hoodies are grey). It looks like this sweater will be hanging around for awhile so hopefully one day I will be able to glimpse it in it's full glory.
But also, also.... Loki hair is morphing back into Hiddles hair. And I approve that message. Until next time...
