Just look at the images. We are having total ensemble envy right now. Striped dungarees. A blue jumpsuit. We want it. We may want Rocco Valentine even more. An artist and brand consultant, Rocco gets to travel all over the world – we’re just waiting for him to come see us.
In the meantime we thought we’d find out more…
Photos: Cody Guilfoyle
Tell us about yourself.
I moved to Los Angeles in my early twenties to get away from the East Coast mentality. Even though I knew who I was gender/sexuality wise, I still didn’t feel comfortable expressing it.
Los Angeles really helped me expand my mind and I was able to dig deep into my creativeness without the panic of people I knew seeing it. I was comfortable enough to walk into showrooms and design studios for clothing brands and say, ‘Hi, I’m Rocco Valentine. I see you’re doing this wrong, this wrong and this wrong. I can change everything for you, give me a chance and I will expand your fashion business.’ It worked.
A few years later I made the jump to NYC where everything just made even more sense. I was able to turn my form of art within the fashion world into a career. Currently, I work in trim design for clothing brands. I also do brand development as well as wardrobe styling. My job allows me to travel all over the world and it is so inspiring to bring back the knowledge of other cities and countries, and apply it to my work. I have linked up with an awesome photographer Cody Guilfoyle we are working very hard on developing an agency which provides Photography and Creative Direction for clothing designers. So far it has been a hit and we are loving the hard work.
What was the first thing you created?
I grew up in a very small bubble on the shoreline of Connecticut. I was always very different and it was extremely difficult living in a place where expressing your creativeness, categorised you as a freak. So what I created was a mask. I created the mould based off the shape of my face. Subconsciously, I painted it very much like a drag queen would paint their face. At 14 years old and still in the closet, I’m pretty sure I had no idea what a drag queen even was. So I am not sure where the inspiration came from, but It sort of set the path for the rest of the years until now. I remember people viewing it as weird. I stopped being creative to blend in with the rest of the school. Which was very sad for me, now looking back on it.
What is your favourite outfit?
A lot of my friends make fun of me for taking inspiration from the homeless, hardware stores and people on the subway. I used to be very into putting outfits together, mixing and matching pants and shirts.
But I’ve recently been more attracted to one pieces. Like a garbage man/woman. Blue one piece, pink banadana on head and then biggest pair of hoop earrings I can find. Nothing too extreme. Subtle gender bending and fluid looks.
Oh, and my absolute favourite accessories I have are from my grandmother. She handed down to me all her beautiful silk scarves from when she was young. There is something so beautiful knowing that these scarves I wear on a daily basis, and incorporate into my work, were wrapped around my grandmothers head, blowing in the wind as she drove around the beach side.
What is your favourite Mariah song?
I love H.A.T.E.U. because I couldn’t imagine rolling around in the sand at the beach listening to any other song. It’s prettier then the sound of waves.
Follow Rocco on Facebook, Instagram and at http://vsco.co/twolicks
