Meet Emmanuel. This model/stylist perspective is so raw and introspective, you'll wish his interview never ends. Do yourself a favour and read on.
ONE THING I LOVE ABOUT MYSELF.
One of the things that I have acknowledged over the years, as I have grown and endured different experiences and challenges within my personal life, and entering the creative/fashion industry is my resilience. I believe a collaboration between resilience and upholding optimistic traits has helped me navigate hardships and problems, where the end of the tunnel is unforeseeable in the moment.
Having those skills, which only strengthen over time with practice like any other muscle or habit has demonstrated how difficult times and situations, externally and internally, are temporary, and a greater effort to accept the lessons that lie within the journal can lead to pleasant outcomes.
THE LAST TREND I FOLLOWED OR UNFOLLOWED.
Although this trend isn't as mainstream as many other fashionable trends, I have followed ballet flats on men. I recently purchased some that were a little too small, but I was likely able to use them for styling purposes. I am not one to shy away from unisex clothing and would not be surprised if they made a stronger influence in the upcoming months, especially once winter is over, with the addition of open-toe sandals.
Aforementioned ballet flats styled by Emmanuel for Jordan Drysdale.
SOMETHING I USED TO STRUGGLE WITH.
A struggle I have discovered and am still practising to balance out is making assumptions for outcomes based on internal feelings. I strongly recommend to anyone who is an over-thinker to try this out. Try to not make assumptions based on personal feelings or insecurities. It's so easy to get carried away by what could happen, good or bad. Try to live in the moment and embrace what you know is true and reality, creating a separation between your own internal beliefs and what is. Assuming or preparing for the worst brings no positive change to oneself when in reality we usually have no clue what may come forth. Whether it is exam results, castings, job interviews etc. Showing up as your best self is all we can do and accepting that with every interaction and experience.
ONE PIECE OF ADVICE I’D GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF.
A piece of advice I would have loved to have been taught/given to my younger self would be not to use age as a measuring tool for what I should have achieved, or where I should be in life. It was easy for that idea to grow within myself in the environment of school. Every year we move up a grade, maybe get a part-time job at a certain age, our licence and attend uni, at least in my experience it was in that order. This left me attaching milestones based on my age, hence, at that time my mindset was age this = achieve this.
IF MY STYLING COULD TELL A STORY, IT WOULD SAY:
If my styling could tell a story, I would hope it is to an extent a reflection of who I am. I enjoy wearing outfits that showcase boldness to display a strong and humble presence, something a little sexy, strong, chic and intentional.
WHY MODEL? WHY ANYTHING?
Modelling was never something I ever thought I would be interested in growing up. I never really got a chance to explore that side of myself in my childhood or during my high school experience. However, after I graduated I found myself participating in small creative shoots in Adelaide, as these shoots continued, a genuine passion and interest in being in front of the camera grew. Why anything? You can't control what you find interesting or enjoy but if you were to do something, I think that's a pretty good place to start.
A SECRET NO-ONE KNOWS …
Wouldn't be a secret if I shared it… but honestly, I can't think of anything of much interest.
THE WEIRDEST THING I’VE CREATED
A volcano I made from cardboard and old newspapers back in primary school for a science experiment. I was always jealous of the cool experiments I would see on the Disney and Nickelodeon shows growing up and wanted to have a spin at it.
THE FUNNIEST COMMENT PEOPLE HAVE SAID ABOUT ME
The most recent and funniest comment someone said about me was about my look in the context of modelling, which I still find funny and kind of cool honestly. The comment was about how I capture quite ambiguous in regards to my age, “Someone could say I was 20 or 40 years old and I would believe it”. I guess we will have to wait and see if the comment is still applicable once I am 40 years old. Fingers crossed. Ahaha.
SOMETHING THAT MAKES ME FRUSTRATED & CONFUSED
Keeping things light, I would say, bad coffee while trying out a new cafe is always a bit of a bummer. Likely, Melbourne cafes rarely disappoint, there are plenty of great baristas and good coffee.
WHY I AM WHO I AM
My family and my upbringing as a first-generation immigrant navigating spaces as a queer black boy for the most part which I would be the only one who identify as such, especially in my earlier life throughout primary and high school. This often isolating position taught me to stay true to myself and who I am, although the journey has not always felt so empowering. Now I hope this insight and belief continues to blossom, instilling the strength and beauty within being different and sometimes the odd one out - even if its lessons are reflected within the wall of the creative environment and styling processes.
THE STRANGEST THING I OWN
Quite simple actually, I somehow for some odd reason own a crystal bra from an amazing Sydney-based brand [kourh.co]. The bra may not be a regular used item in my wardrobe however it has endless use and potential through the eyes of a stylist.
HOW YOU DEAL WITH TROLLS OR HATERS
Practising the acknowledgement of what is within your control and what isn't. I think understanding that we cannot control someone else's behaviour, attitudes or ideas of us, can help. I also promote controlling the content we consume, leaning into spaces and consuming content that brings us joy and positive feelings.
WHERE DOES YOUR COURAGE COME FROM?
I believe my courage comes from always being the odd one out in spaces growing up. I think once you have been so different for long enough in comparison to your cohort, you learn that doing things a little differently isn't as scary as it seems at first. I would also like to add that taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone is such an amazing thing. I think having the mindset that everything will be okay and will work out, allows for more calculated, yet still scary risks to take form.
IF YOU HAD A BILLBOARD, WHAT WOULD IT SAY?
BE DELUSIONAL.***Please be safe obviously, but it's important to just go with your gut and put yourself and your goals forward.
Follow Emmanuel @emmanue.l
