Micheal Ward is currently in New Mexico filming for Ari Aster's upcoming western dark comedy, Eddington. On his lunch break, he typically catches up with the Premier League; but today, he's spending his half-time chatting to me about his brand-new Calvin Klein campaign.

“In Jamaica, when people want to step out, they love to wear an all-white 'fit – they're tryna make a statement,” says the Jamaican-British actor. “So, the looks being all white was special. Tying it into my culture, representing without anyone noticing, except the Jamaicans who will really appreciate it, that was my favourite thing.”

Calvin Klein

Most will recognise Ward from the small and silver screen: as Jamie in Netflix's soft reboot of Top Boy, and Marco in Rapman's Blue Story. In Small Axe, Empire of Light, Bob Marley: One Love, The Book of Clarence and The Beautiful Game, too. But modelling preceded all of that. “I started my career as a model, so this feels like a true full circle moment,” he expresses in a moment of reflection.

And although it appears as if it was easy for Ward to slip back into model mode, he admits he had to rediscover his Blue Steel. “You can probably tell it was hard for me to not smile in those shots.”

Music was the key. “I was listening to a lot of R&B, a lot of slow jams on the shoot. It allowed me to feel different, ultimately – less conscious about what I was doing. It allowed me to be in that moment.”

Well, that certainly explains the Ginuine smoulder.

Calvin Klein

What was the first Calvin Klein piece you owned?

The boxers. I remember getting them for Christmas one year, which was amazing. I never used to get presents, so when I got that, it was special to me.

I hear you. When you're young, receiving a pair of CK boxers is a big deal!

Literally. And even when you're not young! I still wear them now.

What is your favourite look in the campaign?

Honestly, I feel like it was all very me. I'm really proud of it. Sometimes you're doing shoots and you think to yourself, this isn't really me, but you take the risk anyway. But with Calvin Klein, it was such a seamless collaboration because all of the stuff that I wore in the campaign I would wear in real life. It's always perfect when that happens.

Calvin Klein Linen-Blend Blazer

Calvin Klein Classic Fit Long-Sleeved Shirt

Calvin Klein Linen Blend T-Shirt

Calvin Klein Linen-Blend Short-Sleeved Shirt

How would you describe your sense of style?

I like to dress light. I don't like to have loads of stuff on. I do generally dress in one colour throughout. If I'm wearing black, I'm wearing all black; if I'm wearing navy blue, I'm wearing all navy blue. I'm colour-led – you feel me?

I do like to take risks here and there, though, especially on shoots and red carpets.

Who do you look to for style inspiration?

Honestly, man, I don't really look to anyone in the public eye for inspiration. My friends influence the way that I dress to a certain extent – I'm talking day to day. One of my friends has been swaggy from young, so sometimes I shout him if I'm trying to put an outfit together. But I don't look to anyone and think, I want to dress like him. I appreciate their styles, but I'm not really on that.

You've got your own thing going on.

Thank you, bro.

Calvin Klein

What draws you to a project?

Ultimately, the story and the people involved. It sounds a bit cliché, but if I like the story, the chances are that other people will like it too.

Would you ever sign up to a blockbuster franchise? If so, which one are you most drawn to?

It's not something I really think about, but I was recently watching Batman, the Christopher Nolan ones, and I thought to myself, imagine playing Batman. That would actually would be sick.

I'd love to see that – you bringing something new to Bruce Wayne.

That's what I'm saying – it'd be a different kind of vibe.

But, who knows? I'm not tied to anything, I'm just excited to do good work, that's the most important thing.

Calvin Klein

What actors are you looking forward to working with that you've yet to work with?

That's a never-ending list. I want to work with Kevin Hart, eventually, in some capacity – that's like my hero. Also, people like Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale, Tom Hardy...

Also, I've been watching Entourage recently, have you ever seen that?

I have!

Well, man has to work with Ari Gold [Jeremy Piven]. He is too good.

Do you have any exciting plans for when you’re back in the UK?

I'm going to watch Arsenal's last game of the season. I'm super excited because I've missed, like, every game. I've been out here since mid-February, I literally left the day after Valentine's Day. I love being at the Emirates [Stadium], being around my friends.

But, other than that, I'm going to carry on doing this challenge that I've started here called the 75-Day Hard Challenge which I've done for 40 days now. I've built so many good habits: training twice a day, drinking a lot of water, reading, going for walks and meditating. So, when I get back, I'm going to make sure I'm feeling healthy, feeling strong. And that I'm reading the Bible every day – that's important to me.

One last thing: I read this morning that your auntie owns a Caribbean restaurant in Chadwell Heath. What's the name?

It's called One Love.

That's mad because I went there last week for the first time and I had no idea you had any affiliation with it.

No way! Nah, that's actually crazy...

Bro, you know what's even crazier, I've been thinking about it every day for the past five days. I haven't had Jamaican food in two and a half months, so I'm super excited to get back and have food from there.

Yeah, the food slaps.

We'll link up there, for sure.

Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein Monochromatic Summer Collection is available now on the CK webstore.

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