It’s been over a decade since we last heard of Derek Zoolander and Hansel McDonald (aka Hansel), and just when you think they’re busy with their The Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can’t Read Good and Wanna Learn to Do Other Stuff Good Too, they surprised us with an unexpected comeback at Valentino’s Autumn/Winter 2015-16 showcase during Paris fashion week on March 10. The first thing you would’ve thought was “Is that Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson?”. Nope but they must be doppelgangers of the famous models (just joking of course it was the actors, there to announce the long-waiting sequel Zoolander 2 which is set for a February 2016 release).
The former models were greeted with laughs and gasps, and immediate snaps coming from their audience’s phones at the show. We didn’t expect them to return to the fashion industry since they announced that they were quitting 14 years ago. Zoolander and Hansel seem to not have aged a day and were ridiculously good looking on the runway with Zoolander in a sleek dark suit and overcoat. The famous “Blue Steel” look evoked nostalgia – Zoolander is definitely not just a mermaid, oops, sorry, merman but versatile. In printed PJs and grey overcoat, Hansel came back with his famous rock star blond locks and sassy attitude.
The once rivals-now-friends were also visited by and given a pep talk from fashion figure Anna Wintour backstage just before they revealed themselves on the runaway. According to them, they are up to date with the times and trends including the selfie stick. They’re definitely so hot right now and hopefully this won’t be a one-off thing.
