Timothee Chalamet wears bright orange on the red carpet in Los Angeles. The colour is now inextricably linked to the film. Photo: Reuters
When Marty Supreme hit cinemas, its impact was felt well beyond box-office numbers, with fans going wild for the merchandise.
The film, following a young man’s quest to become a champion table tennis player in the 1950s, has unexpectedly gained significant fashion clout.
Last November, The New York Times reported on crowds flocking to pop-up events, clamouring for windbreakers and sweatpants emblazoned with Marty Supreme.
That happened even before the film had premiered (it was released in the United States on Dec 25, with no Malaysia date announced).
Those in the style industry are a little perplexed by the phenomenon, unsure whether to classify Marty Supreme as a bona fide fashion film or simply a cinematic catalyst for a new wave of streetwear obsession.
Major fashion houses may have largely moved on from street staples such as logo tees and hoodies, but the film’s aesthetic also sits neatly within today’s still-dominant activewear trend.
Harper’s Bazaar called it “bigger and weirder” than expected, quoting designer Isaac Mizrahi, who plays a publicist in the film, on how the costumes are about more than just clothes.
“The brilliance of it is how they sneak up on you,” he said.
The jacket emblazoned with the film logo is now a viral item, where celebrities flaunt it in public. Photo: Instagram/Kid CudiRead more: Fashionable films ahead: Costume-driven cinema is expected to define 2026
As it turns out, Marty Supreme goes beyond streetwear or activewear, shining a spotlight on mid-century tailoring and carefully curated dresses.
Mizrahi cited an example of a red frock worn by Gwyneth Paltrow.
He said he noticed her costume – “a fabulous kind of red strapless thing with the red kind of shawl” hanging in a trailer on set, which he called “just amazing”.
Mizrahi revealed that it was for a scene where Paltrow’s character has an affair.
“I mean, of course you’re going to want that red dress,” he added. “But you’re going to want it because of what it can help you get away with.”
Perhaps what makes the film so fashionably attractive is Timothee Chalamet playing the lead (he holds the titular role as Marty Mauser).
The man is pretty much among the top fashion icons when it comes to Hollywood actors. For several years now, he has made headlines whenever he stepped onto the red carpet.
On the Marty Supreme press circuit, he leaned heavily into the film’s visual codes: a bright orange leather suit in Los Angeles, followed by a silk orange design in New York City.
Paltrow, too, appeared in an orange tracksuit on Late Night With Seth Meyers.
The hue has become inseparable from the film. In the story, Mauser insists on swapping traditional white ping-pong balls for bright orange ones for better visibility.
As it is, several other films in the past have also used colour as a marketing hook.
Barbie leaned into hot pink, while Wicked embraced fairy pink and vivid green.
Speaking to Vogue, costume designer Miyako Bellizzi explained that the outfits seen in the film were generally meant to reflect Mauser’s ambition.
“It’s not necessarily who he is at the moment,” she noted, referring to his starting point as a shoe salesman. “It’s the man he wants to be.”
Read more: 'Marty Supreme' merch mania: Are people excited about the film or the fashion?
A Marty Supreme merchandise jacket has now gone viral to the point where celebrities are flaunting theirs as a style statement. Justin Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Kid Cudi and lots more have been photographed in public wearing the design.
While first retailing for only US$250 (approximately RM1,014), resale prices later ballooned to over US$4,000 (RM16,230).
The Marty Supreme capsule collection was designed by Doni Nahmias, who has openly described it as a deliberate promotional move.
“I think we all have really good taste input, so it makes everything that much better because we’re all very critical with the process,” he told Elle, about working with Chalamet.
“He’s super smart, strategic and calculated. And I think it works really well.”
The matter of Marty Supreme going viral for its style elements raises an intriguing question closer to home.
If a Hollywood table tennis film can ignite this kind of fashion frenzy, could a Malaysia-made film about pickleball ever achieve the same virality – and turn another sport into the next global style trend?
