Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Giles.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a classical musician and a content creator specializing in big and tall men’s fashion.
My journey as a classical musician started around the age of 7 playing the piano. I have always had a passion for sharing music with others and love the idea of guiding people who look like me to follow their dreams. I picked up the oboe pretty late and decided to pursue the oboe professionally. I have studied and performed all over the United States and am currently finishing my Doctorate at the University of North Texas. My overall goal in classical music is to become a university professor so that I can inspire others to exceed their potential.
I have always been interested in men’s fashion! Getting dressed is such a great way to express yourself and a fun way to show your personality and interests. I started my fashion account to fill a void in the big and tall community. I aim to show my audience that big and tall fashion does not have to be boring.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Classical music can be a constant struggle. Many musicians are dealing with many mental health challenges as well as just staying strong through finding work. One of my biggest struggles that I deal with is representation. Working in a field where less than 5% of classical musicians are black can be tough. I think all the time, “Is there space for me in this field?” “Am I meant to stay in classical music?’. I use these thoughts as fuel to keep going; If I can inspire someone else that looks like me to follow their dreams, then it is all worth it in the end.
In terms of social media, I would say my biggest struggle is to stay confident. When working in social media, it can be very hard to deal with hate on social media or even just wanting to post. I would be lying if I said every day I wake up and feel great about myself. One of the main reasons I wanted to do social media was to make myself more confident. Hopefully, my social media can inspire others to be confident in themselves.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
For classical music, I perform in two professional chamber ensemble groups. The Re(a)d trio is a Dallas-based group that looks to champion works from BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ composers. Recently the Re(a)d trio performed a concert in Boulder Colorado and is doing multiple university concerts for our season.
In social media, I specialize in big and tall fashion. I love the idea of pushing the bounds of casual style and bringing high-fashion trends to my audience. Over this last year, I have been fortunate enough to work with many brands including Tommy John, Bruno Marc, Samuel Hubbard, and many more. I am very proud of my social media! I have been able to fuel my entrepreneurial spirit and it has shown me that with a vision and hard work, anything is possible!
What matters most to you? Why?
Family for sure! My parents and my sister have always been so supportive. They have put me through school, supported me through tough times, and still know how to make me laugh. I am so immensely grateful for them!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ericoboegiles.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eric_giles_/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/PnpHMRHLu-Y
Image Credits
Christopher Campbell
Dexter Smith
Jose Negrete
