IN THIS DAY AND AGE WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN INFLUENCER? HAVING A LARGE SOCIAL FOLLOWING? AN INFLUENTIAL PUSH WITHIN A  COMMUNITY?

WE INVITED MODEL AND CREATIVE ETHAN RICHARDS INTO OUR STORE TO PICK OUT SOME OF HIS FAVOURITE PIECES FROM UTTER COUTURE AND CHAT ABOUT HIS OPINIONS, WHERE #ADVENTURESOFBUSHY CAME FROM AND SHOULD WE EVEN USE THE TERM ‘INFLUENCER’?

WHEN AND HOW WERE YOU SCOUTED?

It was at a random party in north Woolwich.

TELL US ABOUT #ADVENTURESOFBUSHY, WHERE DID IT COME FROM?

I used to work as a stylist and me and my boss were working with Bastille at the time, I said it as a joke and he told me to run with it so I did.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?

Very laid back I feel it’s not what you wear but how you wear it.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE DESIGNERS OR BRANDS?

These days I don’t know anymore fashion has changed so much, I really enjoy anything that is good quality and lasts long. I love Craig Green, Blood Brother, Diesel, old Raf Simons and Helmit Lang and I’m still a big fan of Rick Owens.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO? 

To be honest the word “influencer” annoys me because I actually have an influential push, people watch me go from bum to full time model.  Plus I had style before all the free clothes I don’t think the words “influencer” or “model” really describe what I do or who I am.

WHAT COMMUNITY WOULD YOU SAY YOU’RE A PART OF?

The ones who want to change things the world we live in at the moment is a mess.

HAS THE ONLINE WORLD CHANGED WHAT YOU DO?

Yes and no, I believe I would still be where I want to be without it but I feel it has made it easier to reach people in some ways.

WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

I’m inspired by people with experience, we all make mistakes in life it’s about learning from them and the smart people learn from other peoples mistakes.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A PART OF THE FASHION INDUSTRY?

That I get to be around people like myself from all different backgrounds, and that I’ve met and made friends from all walks of life.

ON THE FLIP SIDE, WHAT’S THE TOUGHEST THING?

Seeing a campaign you haven’t been paid for yet or waiting on money. The life of a model isn’t as easy as it looks but money don’t bring happiness anyway.

WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU’VE LEARNT ALONG THE WAY?

That I can do anything as long as I can see it in my imagination. I’ve already exceeded my expectations and now I want to exceed the expectations of anyone that has ever known me.

@bushybroweth

Photography: Tom O’Neill
Styling & Copy: Lydia Douglas