Ryan is a Creative Director, stylist and content creator based in Rhode Island, USA. We first met Ryan over Instagram – He has a special eye for details, his incredible aesthetic and moody grid offers onlookers a taste of the simple beauties in life, it has a calming feel and inspires us to see the world through a more delicate lens. He offers hope in times of uncertainty and inspires us to focus on self-care rituals.

Without having yet met Ryan in person (hopefully one day in the near future), he excels kindness and compassion that is undeniably warming and engaging. We are honoured to have worked with Ryan as Creative Director for one of our latest shoots and to now feature Ry on the Journal.

In your own words, please tell us a bit about yourself and what you do…
I am a creative based on the East Coast of the U.S. I began taking on content creation, directing and styling for a few short years. I knew I always wanted creative control that went hand in hand with being able to build a community and share within that means. 

Where are you from, and how did you come to be living life as you know it? 
I am from a small state, Rhode Island. I’ve been spending more periods of time in New York here and there, as it corresponds to my work flow a bit more easier. I’ve been sharing small details and highlights of my day to day on social platforms for some time now too, and it’s formed some fruitful opportunities. 

What do you love most about fashion? 
I love that fashion is entirely derived through freedom. It’s always taken seriously.

 

What are your thoughts on the future of our industry? 
My thoughts tend to be straying as I gravitate towards a slower more simplified presentation, but I am always interested in seeing new ideas, diplomacy and sustainable representation through the design process. 

What do you see changing and what excites you most about this?
To elaborate a bit more on my last response, there are some active changes being introduced in not exploiting cultures, traditions and backgrounds based on trends and current wardrobe designs that are profitable without harming infrastructure that sustains their day to day living. This applies in various forms of practical and proper sustainability, but I think for a while that term was/is being used loosely. We’re reclaiming things and the way we want to own our most loved pieces. It feels right.

What is inspiring you right now?
Free time. 

Who, or what are you listening to right now?
Brandy vs. Monica because of the hype. Alice Coltrane, ritually and daily. Sade, specifically Love Deluxe. Embrya by Maxwell. It’s a sensual 90s love theme. 

Do you have any rituals?
So many. Herbal infusions. Meditation. Aromatherapy. I like my rituals not to be overthought so even taking baths, chatting with friends over wine and writing is apart of rituals and are always recharging and rectifying my state of mind. 

If you could give your younger self any advice based on everything you know now, what would it be?
That you might want to hold on to your pride forever longer. 

@rylopes