When Dylan Efron, the reality‑TV star who blew up on The Traitors US season three, sat down with Antoni Porowski, Netflix’s Food & Wine expert from Queer Eye, the result was a fashion‑forward photo spread that hit the stands of Paper Magazine on March 20, 2025. The feature, titled “Dylan Efron and Antoni Porowski on Personal Style and Going Viral,” captured a moment when two internet‑savvy personalities turned a virtual friendship into a real‑world style experiment.
From a Filson Event in Seattle to a New York City Shoot
The unlikely duo first crossed paths at a Seattle‑based Filson gathering. Efron, still riding the buzz from his The Traitors win, admits he was “fan‑boying” over Porowski, a confession that made for good laughs during the interview. "We ended up hopping on a seaplane to Whidbey Island," Efron recalls, noting how the early‑morning run Porowski led surprised everyone who expected a typical post‑show celebration.
Porowski, ever the wellness‑centric stylist, laughed that they were "the first ones to be like, ‘I’m crashing’" while others lingered over drinks. That shared energy became the backbone of their collab, especially when Porowski later reached out during New York Fashion Week, after attending a Todd Snyder show, to discuss a look for the upcoming Traitors reunion.
The Photo Session: Behind the Lens
Paper Magazine’s creative team, led by story writer Matt Wille and photographer Brian Meller, staged the shoot in a loft overlooking New York City. Porowski took on styling duties, sourcing a sleek shirt from The Society and pairing it with Efron’s freshly pressed trousers. Creative director Marcus Allen aimed for a “relaxed yet runway‑ready” vibe, while groomer Emily Amick kept the look natural—no heavy makeup, just a hint of bronzer.
The resulting images show Efron swapping his trademark board‑shorts for a tailored blazer, a visual metaphor for his shift from “board‑shorts and shirtless” to a more deliberate fashion conversation.
Style Talk: Efron's Evolution
During the interview, Efron emphasized that he’s “very much on my fashion journey right now.” He explained that the pressure of talk‑show circuits forces him to be authentic: “On these shows I don’t have to put on an act. I’m just who I am.” This candidness resonated with fans on Gay Twitter, who had previously praised his quick‑wit on the show’s drama‑filled episodes.
He also referenced his brother, actor Zac Efron, noting that while Zac navigates Hollywood, Dylan is carving a niche in the reality‑TV‑influencer crossover space.
Porowski's Role and the Queer Eye Influence
Antoni Porowski, who rose to fame in 2018 as part of the Fab Five, brings a signature blend of culinary flair and sartorial sense. He told Paper Magazine, “Our shared lifestyle—running, eating well, staying active—feeds directly into how we dress.” The stylist’s experience on Queer Eye gave him a keen eye for how personal narrative can be expressed through wardrobe, a principle he applied to Efron’s new look.
Porowski also hinted at future collabs, teasing that the pair might appear together on a streaming platform, merging “food, fashion, and reality competition” into a single episode.
Industry Reactions and What This Means for Influencer Culture
Fashion insiders see the shoot as a bellwether for the growing synergy between reality‑TV alumni and established stylists. Ruth Henderson, senior editor at Vogue Business, commented, “When someone like Dylan, who grew his following on a competitive show, partners with a stylist of Antoni’s caliber, it validates the influencer‑to‑high‑fashion pipeline.”
Social‑media metrics back the claim: within 48 hours of the article’s release, the hashtag #EfronPorowski trended on Twitter, generating over 1.2 million impressions and sparking debates about authenticity versus curated image.
Looking Ahead: Future Projects
Both men are already eyeing their next moves. Efron hinted at a cameo on a Netflix reality spin‑off, while Porowski said he’s scouting locations for a “wellness‑travel” series that could feature Efron’s love for spontaneous seaplane trips.
One thing’s clear: this partnership is more than a photo op; it’s a roadmap for how reality‑TV personalities can leverage fashion collaborations to extend their brand beyond the screen.
- Feature published: March 20, 2025 (Paper Magazine)
- Primary participants: Dylan Efron and Antoni Porowski
- Location of shoot: New York City loft
- Stylist: Antoni Porowski (The Society shirt)
- Key quote: “I’m very much on my fashion journey right now.” – Dylan Efron
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Dylan Efron and Antoni Porowski first meet?
Their paths crossed at a Filson event in Seattle, where Efron admitted he was a fan of Porowski’s work on Queer Eye. The two ended up taking a seaplane to Whidbey Island together, sparking a friendship that later turned into a fashion collaboration.
What role did Paper Magazine play in the collaboration?
Paper Magazine commissioned the shoot, assigning story writer Matt Wille, photographer Brian Meller, creative director Marcus Allen, and groomer Emily Amick. The magazine published the interview and photo spread on March 20, 2025, spotlighting the pair’s discussion on personal style and virality.
Why is this partnership significant for influencer culture?
It shows how reality‑TV personalities can transition into high‑fashion spaces by aligning with established stylists. The buzz generated—over 1.2 million Twitter impressions—demonstrates the commercial power of authentic, cross‑industry collaborations.
What future projects are hinted at by the two stars?
Efron mentioned a possible cameo on a Netflix reality spin‑off, while Porowski teased a wellness‑travel series that could feature Efron’s adventurous spirit, including more seaplane trips and fitness‑focused episodes.
How did the fashion community react to the shoot?
Editors at major publications like Vogue Business praised the collaboration as a sign of the growing bridge between reality‑TV fame and high‑fashion credibility, noting the strategic styling choices that highlighted Efron’s transition from casual beachwear to tailored attire.
