Digital Cover Story 4: House of El x Emerging Creatives

...featuring Oliver Julius Rosa & Charlie J. Chich

House of El

“What does being an emerging creative mean to you?”

I think being an emerging creative is really interesting these days. With the internet being the main way people discover things and being pandemic, it can make you have to really dig deep and be clear about who you are and what you want to say. Like – you know you that can do things which are good for the algorithm, but not so great for being your authentic self. I think authenticity is all that matters, it’s all you really have but it’s tempting to try and change things to get attention. It’s hard to be authentic in the constraints of social media, it’s an incredible tool but also quite limiting, it’s almost an entire job in itself and can really take you away from being creative and thinking big if you’re not careful.

Ultimately emerging as an artist, you have a strong idea of who you are and what you want to do, and you may have been running it all play-by-play in your mind for years, but no one else does. You have to articulate what you want to others and it’s not always obvious to others. It’s hard to get people to understand and the added pressure of being in a pandemic and not being able to perform is extremely difficult. When you perform you really get to see the faces of the people, you’re making your music for and connect in a real way, and we’ve not been able to do that for a while now!

Emerging as a creative is also an internal thing, as much as you know what you want to sound like, look like you are on a constant journey of editing and making it as clear as possible. Dealing with fear and insecurities…There’s the access and resources thing as well - you’re obviously doing it all on a limited budget and without having many ‘champions’ so you’re really trying to build your own buzz within all of it as well. It’s a real journey, can be extremely lonely, but when things come to gather there is nothing like it even with the small things. You really have to just enjoy the journey!

“…It’s hard to be authentic in the constraints of social media, it’s an incredible tool but also quite limiting.”

Oliver Julius Ross

“What does being an emerging creative mean to you?”

“For me, the word ‘emerging’ means something which is currently in the process of becoming what it is destined to be. This new life which humanity is currently experiencing has made me think more about the world. To me, it adds the meaning of finding new ways using my creativity, to adapt to life and innovate methods that can benefit my creative practice. As a creative, I research new ways of executing my ideas into a final and physical outcome. Additionally, I am very pro-active at trying to get noticed by the public eye and fashion consumer market by promoting my designs on social media and networking with people everywhere I travel to.”

About Oliver:

Oliver Ross is a designer from London who uses his surroundings and people that he meets in life as an inspiration to create garments. He sources and uses fabrics from all around the world. He has worked for brands such as Blood Brother, What We Wear, and Bianca Saunders. He currently studies Menswear at the London College of Fashion. Additionally, he has even had his own collaborative project with Converse.

Charlie J. Chich

“What does being an emerging creative mean to you?”

“It’s sticking your head above the parapet and stepping away from all the noise and fads. I believe getting a proper grasp on the layout of the industry is all part of it, working out who’s who and ensuring your work is seen in the right places. You have to constantly maintain originality and seek new inspiration.”

About Charlie:

Charlie J Chich is a photographer from Derby, based in London. Having started his creative journey in London and deciding to fully commit to the camera a few years ago, after doing a season in Cape Town. The light and colours over there made it hard not to fall in love with being behind the lens. Having spent a couple of days by chance, photographing South African musical royalty at DJ sets, hotels, and yacht parties he’d lucked his way into, it was the start of Charlie’s crazy journey into the industry.

The focus of his work is press and artwork stills for musicians and fashion brands with his approach and style to shooting being to visualise the image in his head beforehand. This way, allowing the location and energy on set to give a spontaneous element to final shots, trying hard to keep an open mind and avoid getting bogged down in one concept.

YouTube/HOUSE OF EL

Stream House of El’s ‘Lazarus’ EP HERE

Follow the creatives on Instagram:

House Of El: @iamhouseofel

Oliver Julius Ross: @oliverjuliusross

Charlie J. Chich: @charliejchich

Credits:

Words – House of El, Charlie J Chich, Oliver Ross

Copy Edited by - Danielle Temeng

Photographer – Charlie J Chich @charliejchich; www.cjcphotography.co.uk

Stylist/Designer – Oliver Ross @oliverjuliusross;www.oliverjuliusross.com

Art Design – @baris.jpg