Fedora Man Mystery Solved A Stylish French Teen

A single photograph from the scene of a daring jewel heist at the Louvre captured the world's attention, not for the crime itself, but for a mysterious, stylish figure walking past the police cordon. Dubbed 'Fedora Man' by the internet, the sharply dressed individual sparked a whirlwind of speculation. Was he a master detective, an inside man, or an AI-generated illusion? The truth, it turns out, is far more charming.

The Accidental Star of a Heist

The man behind the viral sensation is Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux, a 15-year-old from Rambouillet, west of Paris. The story behind the photo is surprisingly simple. Pedro, his mother, and his grandfather had planned a Sunday visit to the Louvre, completely unaware that a heist had just taken place.

“We wanted to go to the Louvre, but it was closed,” he said. “We didn’t know there was a heist.”

As they asked officers why the entrance was blocked, Associated Press photographer Thibault Camus captured the now-famous shot of Pedro striding past, immortalizing a moment of pure chance.

From Viral Photo to Global Speculation

The internet quickly crafted a narrative around the image. Theories swirled that 'Fedora Man' was an old-school detective on the case, a character from a movie, or not even human. Many were convinced he was an AI-generated image due to his classic attire against a modern backdrop.

Pedro understood the public’s fascination. “In the photo, I’m dressed more in the 1940s, and we are in 2025,” he noted. “There is a contrast.”

It wasn't until four days later that an acquaintance messaged him, asking if it was him in the photo that had already amassed five million views. Soon, his mother called to say he was in The New York Times, and messages poured in from family and friends worldwide.

Unmasking Fedora Man

A fan of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot, Pedro’s first instinct was not to reveal his identity. Instead, he decided to play along with the suspense.

“I didn’t want to say immediately it was me,” he explained. “With this photo there is a mystery, so you have to make it last.”

After a few days of enjoying the mystery he had inadvertently created, he switched his Instagram profile from private to public, finally allowing the world to meet the teen behind the fedora.

A Style Inspired by History

Pedro's striking look is no costume. He began dressing this way less than a year ago, inspired by 20th-century history and iconic figures, both real and fictional. His fedora is a tribute to French resistance hero Jean Moulin, and he counts the elegant detective Hercule Poirot as another inspiration.

“I like to be chic,” he said. “I go to school like this.”

For his interview, he wore the same type of ensemble: a fedora, an Yves Saint Laurent waistcoat, a neat tie, and Tommy Hilfiger trousers, proving the style that captivated millions is simply a part of who he is.

Now, Pedro is relaxed about his unexpected fame and what might come next. “I’m waiting for people to contact me for films,” he grinned. “That would be very funny.”

More on the Louvre Heist

• French auditor's report raps Louvre for excessive art acquisitions even as most rooms lacked cameras
• 2 more suspects charged over Louvre jewels heist
• Police detain 5 more suspects in Louvre heist, but jewels are still missing
• 2 suspects in Louvre heist 'partially' admit their participation: prosecutor