Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricardo McLeod.
Hi Ricardo, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
This will feel somewhat like Virgil Abloh’s story because I went to college for engineering. I graduated in Physical Sciences, with focus in math, physics and astronomy like I took theoretical astrophysics my senior year of college so I have a bit of a brain on me. During my time in college, my mind for art and creativity grew due to living in a dorm room suite with my friends who were creatives themselves. I would run my creative ideas for photography by one of my best friends, Jamal Francis, and even though he could visualize what I was describing, he did not know how to necessarily execute my ideas. He pushed me into diving into photography and videography to properly know how to evoke the emotions that I sought to bring to life. This push brought me to New York as I attended a photography master class with an artist named, FrankHaveMercy, to sharpen my eye and editing skills.
Being in New York was intoxicating as I would visit and stay for two weeks out of every month for about year soaking in the city and its vibe. Every time I would come to New York, I would be stopped in the street for compliments on my outfit and/or the pieces I would wear and how I put it together. This lead to me meeting and interviewing with fashion bloggers like Tristan Paine (@tristanpaine_), Preppy Pete (@gothamgalleria), and Dev Moore (@devdmoore). This outpouring of energy for my style reminded me of my childhood where adults would compliment me for what I wore and my mother would brag about how I put it all together myself fueling me to pivot from photography/ videography into creative direction and fashion styling. This pivot opened opportunities for me to collaborate with my coworker, Shek Tarawallie and his brand, Swavor, for styling and possible creative direction for his collections and also meet other well known designers and stylists like Brianna Dooley (@crushedleather) which directly impacted my fashion styling career.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No it has not been a smooth road but what’s the fun in that! My largest struggle is juggling my 9-5 corporate job with my dream of being a full time fashion stylist. My biggest problem is not wanting to be perceived therefore hampering the opportunities I could possibly procure but now, I am being better about leaning into myself and not suppressing my talent to avoid judgement and rejection.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a freelance fashion stylist that specializes in editorial, personal, commercial and runway styling. I am most known for editorial, commercial and personal styling with my biggest styling opportunities being a styling assistant for Bad Bunny’s June/ July 2023 Rolling Stone Cover and spread, main stylist for Andre Emery Studio’s Spring Summer 2024 collection and Karlie Thornton’s (k.tea) DJ gigs done for Prada and H&M where she opened up for Anderson .Paak. I am most proud of my contributions to the Bad Bunny rolling stone shoot and also, styling and directing my personal fashion film and NYC “Bratz Doll” shoot.
The attribute which sets me apart from others is my creative eye for photography which helps me be able to visualize a full concept while making the styling of clothes elevate the concept itself.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
My view on risk taking is that it is necessary in order to grow within yourself. Fortune favors the bold and so with that thinking, calculated risks are necessary in every facet of life. If you put yourself out there, the universe will usually reward you. I have taken major risks before like moving out of the comfort of where I grew up for majority of my life (27 years) to New York to pursue a fashion styling career, investing into my own fashion short film without any type of investors, and also just love!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slickrickofny/
