A single photograph has turned 15-year-old Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux, into a global internet sensation. Captured outside the Louvre Museum during the theft of France’s royal jewels, the photo shows a lone, stylish figure, dubbed the “Fedora Man”, sparking millions of views and widespread speculation.
Pedro, a fan of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot, lives west of Paris with his parents and grandfather. When he realized the photo had gone viral, he deliberately withheld his identity, allowing the mystery to captivate the world.
The iconic image, taken by Associated Press photographer Thibault Camus, shows police officers near a silver car blocking the museum entrance, with Pedro in his vintage-inspired attire standing apart. The scene resembled a film noir tableau, which fueled internet theories suggesting Fedora Man was anything from a 1940s detective to a digital creation.
A Vintage Style Inspired by the Past
For his only interview, Pedro recreated his outfit: a fedora hat, Yves Saint Laurent vest borrowed from his father, a jacket chosen by his mother, a stylish tie, Tommy Hilfiger trousers, and a Russian-era watch. His choice of hat pays homage to French Resistance hero Jean Moulin.
Pedro’s fascination with 20th-century style began less than a year ago, inspired by historical and fictional figures. He even wears his signature outfit to school, influencing friends to adopt similar sartorial touches.
From Accidental Photo to Internet Fame
Pedro had no idea of the heist happening at the Louvre that day. Visiting the museum with his mother and grandfather, they were simply curious about the closed entrance. Seconds later, the AP photographer captured him walking by—an ordinary moment turned extraordinary.
When he learned about the viral photo, Pedro was stunned. “Four days later, someone asked if it was me. They said it had 5 million views,” he recalled. His Instagram account soon went public, and the media caught on, amazed at the teenager behind the Fedora Man phenomenon.
Pedro embraces the attention with humor and enthusiasm. “People imagined an unusual event needed an unusual detective. That’s me,” he said. He plans to continue dressing in his distinctive style, blending art, history, and personal flair into his everyday life.
