Radical Vertical

Shaun Ross
People
Interview by Elliott-Alfred Attia
Photo by Johnny Kitsune
EA You’ve been a prominent frontrunner
for inclusion within the fashion industry
for quite some time now. What have you learnt
most from your personal career journey, and
what advice would you give to others joining
the fashion industry?
SR My dream was never to jump into
the fashion industry, at first my passion was
dance. I was very inspired for years about
being a performer, and fashion found me.
I had no idea what I was getting myself into and
I’ve made mistakes not knowing so along the
way. I would definitely tell someone inquiring
about the fashion industry to be cautious of
the relationships you create and nurture them
as if you know them well. Never fear others’
opinions they may place upon you, and stay
true to the vision.
EA Who are your role models, or who
inspires you within and also outside the
fashion industry?
SR I get mainly inspired by those
around me who sometimes chime in to give
their opinion on what I’m trying to do, in
inspiring the world we live in, and to create a
better and brighter future for diverse cultures.
EA What is the biggest challenge you
have had to face so far and how did you
overcome it?
SR I used to have issues with validation
from an industry I wasn’t accepted into,
therefore I would always look past it, allowing
myself to push my face in the spaces where
it wasn’t wanted. I then noticed that I was
valid and had my own personality, so why not
continue.
EA H&M made waves in late May
when it launched its first ever Pride collection,
featuring a range of items with rainbows and
pro-LGBTQ+ phrases. You were involved as
a model. How important do you think your
display of pride is to your following? What has
the response been to this?
SR It was amazing working with the
team at H&M. They have a great eye for
diversity. They’ve always been inclusive
towards others and I wanted to be a part of
this matter. The response has been amazing
from fans all over.
EA At the end of 2017, you debuted
your first single ‘SYMMETRY”. How
challenging has it been establishing yourself in
this new creative outlet—did you always know
the direction you wanted to go in, if you were
to delve into making music?
SR At first, I thought it would be
extremely complicated due to the fact that
most people know me from fashion, so I was
a little bit hesitant. Then I realized that it’s all a
part of the creative process, so I decided to do
it anyway, no matter what people say or think.
It was very nerve-racking, I must admit.
EA Do you think there is a difference in
making a career in fashion vs the music industry?
SR They are both two different
industries underneath the same umbrella
of entertainment. They are both extremely
different but also the same; they both take
creative power and thought.
EA You have been a face to many
campaigns, videos, runway shows—often
collaborating with the creators. What has been
your favorite collaboration in your career/
personal life?
SR Honestly, I don’t have a favorite—
they’ve all been a part of my life/career, some
better than others but more importantly, I’m
happy to make an impact on the world.
EA Do you think the fashion industry has
in fact become more diverse on and beyond
the runways, or has it just picked a trend?
SR When I started in fashion, models
like myself and Diandra Forrest created this
shift in today’s fashion industry in looking at
sexuality differently. We just knew how to be
ourselves and it was just us at that moment in
time. I think the fashion industry loves a good
trend and charity story, which is fine because
it sells, but I do believe they should take more
time to try and understand it to the core,
and they don’t.
EA You claim transformation (and
triumph) as one of the essential cornerstones
of your life—can you give us more insights into
the meaning of this in conjunction with your
own biography and “Chrysalis”?
In terms of transformation—what
kind of effect does “Chrysalis” have in regard
to your own life, and what do you wish it to
have for the audience?
SR I’ve completely transformed in so
many ways, even down to the way I inspire
the world. Some things don’t take
that much of a touch and it shouldn’t.
I used to feel so insecure, not about my
look, but the way others perceived it. 2
I learned to understand people will
think what they want and it’s okay,
it’s their logic.
9
EA I have the impression that
“Chrysalis” is just the overture of something
bigger or more to come. Do you think you have
finally found your own way or “language”, so
to speak, to express yourself and the topics
which seem important to you to share with
your audience?
SR Absolutely not, but I’m getting
closer by the day, and it feels good to figure
out my own voice and language to connect
with people in.
SHAUN ROSS: REBEL WITH A CAUSE