This is a big month for Aaron Tveit.
Not only is the Tony Award-winning actor and singer returning to Broadway with “Chess,” he’s also starring in the fall Todd Snyder campaign.
Tveit, who grew up in the New York suburb of Middletown, won a Tony Award for his leading role in the stage adaptation of “Moulin Rouge” and has also been featured in “Sweeney Todd” on Broadway, “Les Misérables” on the big screen and “Grease: Live” on television over the course of his 20-year career. But it was his one-man show at Café Carlyle last year that caught Snyder’s eye.
Todd Snyder shot actor Aaron Tveit in New York City for the fall campaign.
Courtesy of Todd Snyder
“A mutual friend invited me to Aaron’s sold-out show at Café Carlyle last year,” Snyder said. “As a regular theater-goer, I jumped at the chance and was blown away by what a superstar he is. Not only does he have an incredible voice, but he also possesses the style and confidence that define star power.”
The designer said the two then collaborated on looks for his sold-out, one-man shows in London. “He was dynamite and looked every bit the dapper and elegant gentleman, combined with extraordinary stage presence. That was the moment I realized we needed to work on a campaign together. We share a love for classic tailoring that Aaron wears so flawlessly, and Matthew Brookes captured him brilliantly. I love the shots on the New York City streets. Aaron really owns the moment. And no doubt he’ll also own Broadway when he opens next month in the revival of ‘Chess.’”
Tveit has been a fan of Todd Snyder since the designer’s days at J.Crew.
Courtesy of Todd Snyder
“Chess,” which is in previews and will have its official opening on Nov. 16, is a revival of a musical that premiered in London in 1986. Tveit stars as American Freddie Trumper, a star in the chess world, who competes in a tournament with a Russian grandmaster, Anatoly Sergievsky, played by Nicholas Christopher. The play also stars Lea Michele as Florence Vassy, who becomes involved with both men.
Tveit said he’s been familiar with Snyder’s work since the designer worked as the head men’s creative at J.Crew. “At that time, a decade or so ago, they had lots of clothes, much like Todd‘s brand now, that seem to really appeal to my aesthetic,” he said. “I think I’ve learned over the years that my fundamental style is a bit elevated casual. I also think his work is quite timeless and gives a sense of classic male fashion, but in a very modern, fun way. More recently, I met Todd through a friend in the Broadway industry. I shared with Todd my love for his clothes, and that I owned lots of his pieces and it just naturally developed from there.”
Tveit cited the “timelessness” of Snyder’s clothing as appealing to him. “I just think the clothes are really cool and they make me feel really cool — but in a grown-up way. As an elder Millennial, I think my generation continued to dress like a teenager far too long and Todd’s clothes have the ability to make us feel cool while allowing us to dress like adults. I’ve had a blue chore coat that I think was the first thing that I wore at a magazine shoot in 2017. And from this campaign, the green floor-length military coat is really something.”
Turning to “Chess,” Tveit said he considers himself “unbelievably fortunate. The times that we as actors get to be on Broadway are few and far between, and each and every chance to do so is so special. We also have no idea as we finish up one show when the next one will come along. ‘Chess’ came into my life about a year or so ago, completely out of the blue. It’s just so meaningful to be able to be a part of this version of it as I know the score has resonated with people for decades.”
Snyder has featured several well-known faces in the past ad campaigns including Sterling K. Brown, Matt Bomer and Matt Berninger.
