Jared Muros’ Instagram bio merely reads “I do every part,” and, in terms of what’s cool in tradition, that checks out. The 20-something makes music, has labored as a casting director for Tyler The Creator, Adidas, and Nike, labored on initiatives with The Weeknd and Jennifer Lopez, modeled for manufacturers, hosted free clothes giveaways to youngsters in search of drip they’ll’t afford, and constructed a following off his impeccable style and love for conversing with individuals across the nation (and shortly the world) about fashion.
He’s fairly actually residing the model influencer’s dream. And even a number of goals, abruptly. However how?
Is Muros some type of wealthy child nepo child using a wave of connections and entry? Nope. He’s a suburban LA child who grew up bouncing between Boyle Heights (the beginning of East LA) and Whittier (the ultimate cease between LA County and “the OC” and, coincidentally, my hometown) who finessed his ardour for model right into a booming profession. His success is a testomony to laborious work, good style, and the truth that model appears to have overtaken music because the factor individuals are essentially the most keen to speak about.
“I used to be a skater child,” Muros says of his early curiosity in model. “Supreme was simply the go-to. Everyone was into it. It began small with that, with Supreme and BAPE and simply the stuff that everyone likes… the stuff individuals purchase at Zumiez.”
When Muros hit highschool, his tastes began to raise from streetwear to higher-end items.
“I began entering into extra designer garments and simply elevating from high-end streetwear Supreme stuff to love, Zits Studios or Alexander McQueen. I’m promoting chips at college simply so I can save as much as purchase a pair of Margielas. Some individuals will save as much as get their hair executed, to get their nails executed. I’d simply save as much as purchase style items.”
Whereas Muros’ love for style was evolving, he was additionally increase a expertise for interviewing individuals. After consuming a gradual food plan of Vine and YouTube clips and savvying what travels on social media, Muros started positioning himself as a contemporary web character — vlogging his highschool expertise and documenting his each day.
“I used to be in class all the time interviewing individuals,” he says. “I used to be doing every day vlogs, I’d be at soccer video games, I’d be interviewing youngsters within the stands or I’d be at lunch, simply speaking to youngsters, doing little interviews right here and there for the individuals inside my metropolis to observe. Through the years, it began rising into me hitting the streets. I’ve been at it for years — it was extra so only a passion and it ended up simply figuring out for me in the easiest way… Simply inside the previous couple of months, I truly began actually being profitable and simply having this be my full-time job. It’s a blessing for positive. ”
We linked up with Muros over Zoom to speak about his rise from suburban skater child who would take the bus to window store at Fairfax to a rising web style character who hits up New York and Paris style week.
I noticed in your Instagram you casted one thing for GOLF le FLEUR — how did that come about?
Yeah! It’s humorous, again in, I wish to say 2021, I picked up a job as a casting director. I do numerous modeling jobs, numerous gigs right here and there, do numerous music video appearances. I’ve labored with The Weeknd, Tyler, the Creator, Jennifer Lopez, and a few huge names on units. And simply being round in that business, I fell in and acquired a job as a casting director for a minute.
And numerous jobs I forged — virtually all of Tyler’s Name Me if You Get Misplaced — virtually all these movies, I assist put a hand in there to assist forged these.
I wished to get some perception into your course of. How do you go about casting? What are you in search of? Clearly, I really feel like casting perhaps 20 years in the past, it was very particular, Eurocentric magnificence leaning. Simply wish to know what you’re in search of while you’re casting.
One thing I like about these days is that anyone can mannequin. You don’t should be six foot two, blonde, blue eyes, to be a mannequin. I’m not six foot. I’m not the proper magnificence commonplace. And nonetheless, I’ve executed modeling gigs for Balenciaga and Apple.
It’s nearly figuring out the model you’re working with; figuring out the artists you’re working with. Let’s say it might be Tyler, we’d need extra eccentric appears — extra colours popping on their images, versus if it was a video for The Weeknd, he can be going for a darkish nightclub, Hollywood theme. It’s actually case to case, however simply having a watch for actually what the artist is in search of.
How did you get into that? How do you go from Whittier child interviewing footballers to casting music movies?
This was nearing when COVID was ending. One thing I’ve all the time wished to do was get into modeling. However I’d all the time inform myself, “Oh no, it’s not for me. I can’t do it.” After which in the future I used to be like, “ what? Fuck it. I’m simply going to attempt.”
So I’d watch YouTube movies day-after-day. “The right way to turn into a mannequin, find out how to be in a music video, how to do that, how to do this.” Till I began getting a few of the sauce from watching movies, TikToks, studying articles. I ended up simply following actually a thousand totally different casting pages, a bunch of casting administrators, a bunch of producers. My Instagram following was in all probability loopy on the time. A pair thousand individuals who had been simply all within the business that had no thought who I used to be.
On the time, I used to be all the time tremendous particular with my Instagram. I had to verify the colours had been good, my aesthetic was popping. I had the proper outfits on there so I may get forged. After which in the future, this casting web page that I adopted posted, “Hey, we’re hiring. No expertise obligatory. Swipe up and we’ll ship you the resume.”
I DMed them and to my shock, I acquired a response. I acquired the appliance, after which they simply ended up selecting me out of tons of, 1000’s of individuals. And I used to be like, “Yo, why me?” And so they’re like, “Oh, you have got cool Instagram.”
Even once I was casting, a giant factor can be taking a look at individuals’s Instagram profiles. Do they know find out how to gown? Simply small issues like that that we’d search for.
You’ve got a really curated sense of fashion. What’s your private model philosophy?
Don’t attempt to match into what everyone else is doing. There’s developments that come and go, and in case you simply preserve chasing the developments, I really feel such as you’ll by no means be capable of discover your personal model.
The best way I discovered what I like is simply going out thrifting. Let’s say I’d go discover a pair of saggy denims and I’m like, “Oh, I like these.” Now I do know, okay, I like saggy denims. After which I’m going out, I discover out what sort of jackets I like from thrifting. After which I can transfer that over into wanting to purchase a designer piece. I do know what suits me.
Simply don’t chase the kinds, since you acquired to learn to be your self, study what you want. These days, all the youngsters are sporting Rick Owens Ramones. They’re sporting Margiela all black. However doing stuff like that, you gained’t actually discover what you like. You’re simply sporting what you see individuals put on on TikTok; you’re copying individuals on Instagram. And there’s nothing improper with that, however sooner or later, you wish to discover out how are you going to be your self.
Who’re a few of your model icons?
I don’t wish to say it’s essentially people who I look as much as, however it’s extra eras and actions. Not too long ago, I’ve been actually into the 2008-2010 model. When individuals would put on a bunch of animal prints and it might be tremendous loud.
That’s simply one thing I’ve actually been into. Very Y2K, stuff like that. That’s what I grew up on, and I couldn’t put on garments like that once I was rising up. My mother would gown me once I was in elementary college. So now that I can put on what I would like, I’m going again and looking out on the kinds and like, “Oh, I actually like this. Let me see how I can incorporate that to now in 2023.”
Do you’re feeling extra your self or extra comfy in your personal pores and skin while you’re extremely stylized the best way you’re? Do you’re feeling such as you’re expressing your character by what you’re sporting?
Yeah, for positive. 100%. Even these days, once I’m making movies attempting to get out to as many individuals as doable, I feel can somebody resonate with you inside the first couple seconds? That’s simply what it’s these days, being on TikTok in a fast-paced shifting world.
Folks will know in the event that they like me or not inside the first two seconds as a result of, let’s say, the jacket I’m sporting. Due to the outfits or the colours that I’ve on. So it’s fairly easy, I simply need individuals to have the ability to have a look at me and be like, “Oh yeah, for positive. He has his personal model.”
It simply wouldn’t make me comfy if I used to be out on the road and somebody had the very same shirt as me. Copy and paste. I simply need to have the ability to be totally different, however nonetheless be myself on the similar time. It’s simply what makes me comfy.
Do you assume that’s an added stress on this technology as a result of individuals want to have the ability to resonate with others in two-second intervals? I’m not saying everyone desires to be social media or TikTok well-known, however is that one thing that individuals are fascinated by on a unconscious degree? As a result of regardless of who you’re, you’re utilizing social media, so that you’re going to be expressing your self visually.
It undoubtedly does one thing to you for positive. You can see 10 movies inside the span of 15 seconds till you discover one thing that you simply like. However I really feel prefer it undoubtedly does make individuals wish to be a little bit extra totally different or a little bit extra “on the market.” However in case you don’t do it together with your outfits, you’re going to do it together with your voice otherwise you’re going to do it together with your character.
I feel it has its good and its unhealthy elements — individuals are undoubtedly attempting to be themselves or be extra into their pores and skin as a result of every part is so fast-paced. I do it with my outfits. Another person may do it a special method. However on the finish of the day, that’s what makes you distinctive.
What recommendation or methods do you have got for somebody who’s trying to carve out a method id?
What I wish to do is simply go window-shop. After I was a child, I’d take the bus and simply head out to, say, Rodeo Drive, let’s say Melrose, and stroll into all of the shops. I’d simply look. Like, “Oh, wow, that is so cool. Oh, that is dope.” I’d simply be strolling by the garments, stuff I couldn’t even purchase. I can’t purchase no Balenciaga hoodie, however I would really like, “Yo, that is the model that I actually like.” And simply study your personal wiring, study your thoughts. Be taught “what does my physique like?”
And even going thrifting, that’s the place you may truly purchase items which you can afford and see what sort of kinds you want. That’s a great way to study. After which begin going to shops, after which after getting extra money, you’re in a position to purchase stuff that you understand you want. As a result of I really feel like when you have got some huge cash and also you don’t have a method, you find yourself losing cash. You’ll simply purchase issues that you simply assume individuals assume needs to be cool, however they’re not.
So go primarily based on instinct? Simply no matter attracts your eye, no matter speaks to you?
Yeah, for positive. I don’t purchase a pair of pants as a result of I’m like, “Oh, this might look good with this.” I simply purchase stuff that I feel is cool, put all of it collectively, after which simply have little runways in my very own closet. And be like, “Oh, this appears good. This appears good. This doesn’t.”
Simply play with the garments you have got now. See what suits properly collectively, and simply have outfits behind your psychological, able to go.
What manufacturers do you assume are killing it proper now?
Personally, I actually like Zits Studios. I like that they’ve a few of the greatest plain garments. Plain hoodies, plain pants, a few of the greatest pants I’ve ever had. Each time I would like a plain piece, I’ll throw on perhaps an Zits Studio jean with a louder, extra colourful hoodie.
I actually love what Heaven by Mark Jacobs is doing. Bringing again the aesthetic of the early 2000s — that’s what’s in proper now however they’re on the forefront of it. They’re making it pop. I actually appreciated what Balenciaga was doing with their items.
In fact, Rick Owens, he’s doing his factor for positive. I really feel like that’s a great model to get individuals into style. Youngsters which are first dipping their toes, they’re going to hit Rick Owens as a result of that’s what everyone’s sporting these days. However then it simply spirals after which they’ll study, let’s say, Margiela. They could study McQueen, and so they’ll simply go deeper into the outlet.
Do you assume that the youthful technology is extra into model than music nowadays? In that case, why? And what does it say about music proper now?
I really feel prefer it goes hand in hand, undoubtedly. I really feel like individuals actually fall into some artists musically due to their model, due to their aesthetic. A whole lot of occasions, from what I’ve seen, even behind the scenes and personally, I do know that the model has extra to do with an artist blowing up than the music itself. In case you’re in a position to market your self and individuals are in a position to stick to you, and so they love your outfits, they love your Instagram feed, they love your music movies, they love your visuals, they wish to go see you on tour due to this and that, then that holds extra weight than the music itself.
Anybody could be musically proficient in case you put the time in. It’s simply concerning the advertising actually. I really feel like that’s what individuals are sticking to extra these days than ever earlier than. On the finish of the day, the music nonetheless issues, however I feel undoubtedly model does have extra to do with it. Sadly, that’s simply how it’s nowadays.
I feel individuals don’t wish to admit it, however I feel it’s all the time been like this. If you concentrate on The Beatles, that early look was a alternative.
Yeah, for positive. After which that’s one more reason how they had been in a position to contact so many individuals. As a result of individuals had been like, “Yo, why do they seem like that? Who’re these guys?”
In your opinion, primarily based in your travels throughout the nation, what metropolis do you assume has one of the best avenue model?
I wish to say New York and even San Francisco. I used to be simply there, and so they have loopy avenue model. However I do really feel like numerous that’s as a result of climate… It’s so totally different as a result of in LA when I attempt to gown up, I do my greatest day-after-day. I like layering up. I like sporting denims, I like all of it. However exterior it’s 95 levels, in order that [outfit] can solely final so lengthy. I’d put on it to an occasion after which that’s it.
However while you’re out in, say New York, or the Bay, you could be layered up from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM and nothing will change. The solar’s not going to get excessive. You may must even purchase some gloves whilst you’re out. However in LA, if the climate was higher, I do know we’d be killing it for positive. However each metropolis has their factor. LA has good seashores. We’ve scorching climate. New York could also be colder, however you may gown up. So for style, undoubtedly New York.
How do you purchase designer garments while you’re broke?
I really feel such as you simply actually should need it. Me, I’d all the time actually, actually desire a pair of Jeremy Scott sneakers, so I’d discover a technique to do it. I’d be in class, I’d promote candies. I’d promote chips, make my $100, use that $100 to go thrifting for a bunch of Polo Ralph Lauren items.
I’d get three hoodies for $100 bucks at a thrift retailer after which I’d promote these hoodies for $80 bucks every on Depop or Grailed. Increase, I made a revenue. I’d use that to go on StockX, go on Grailed, and simply lowball everyone till someone lastly accepted my supply.
I’d simply preserve doing that. I used to be the child in class that I’d ensure that I’d make my very own merch earlier than I even was popping. I’d promote Jared Muros shirts, I’d promote candies. That may actually simply be the best way that I’d feed my style habit.
I feel that’s that East LA mentality too.
Yeah, little hustler! 100%. Yeah and in LA, I really feel such as you see it all over the place. Folks promote flowers, individuals promoting elotes, ice cream. They’re simply across the hustle.
Simply in your opinion, what artists proper now have one of the best model?
An artist’s aesthetic that I actually like is Jean Dawson. He has a very darkish, however nonetheless colourful and shiny aesthetic that I’ve actually been into. I’ve actually been into the old-school stuff like No Doubt. Gwen Stefani is somebody that I’ve actually been wanting in direction of for lots of my outfits lately. Simply watching outdated interviews, outdated music movies. I’m like, “Wow!” I like the best way that the colours pop. I like how they didn’t give a fuck. Eyebrows can be pink.
Artists these days… Uzi, all the time. I really feel like he’s somebody who’s been on the forefront when it got here to style within the early SoundCloud rapper period.
I’ve actually been wanting extra in direction of the rock scene — Haley Williams, Avril Lavigne — taking a look at what they’d put on to the VMAs had been a few of my favourite outfits. It was simply such a special time and simply so totally different than what individuals do these days. I really feel like these days numerous it’s boring, or numerous celebrities who’re males, simply go shirt, tie, swimsuit. It’s like. “Nah, come on, give me extra!”
What’s subsequent? What do you have got deliberate? I do know you’re hitting up some Style Week stuff.
Yeah, so headed to Style Week. Positively excited for that. I like doing occasions. I’m going to have a little bit occasion and get a bunch of native New York manufacturers in collectively. Simply give away garments to the youngsters within the metropolis for some back-to-school stuff.
Then excited to move to Paris and simply dip my toes into abroad and see what the style is like over there as a result of I’ve heard that it’s method crazier.
I identical to to drift each single day. I don’t wish to stress myself out an excessive amount of as a result of then I find yourself overextending myself once I’m like, “Okay, I acquired to have this many movies executed at the moment, after which I acquired to drop garments right here, after which I’m going to drop a music right here.” It will get to be an excessive amount of.
I all the time have a listing of massive issues to do. Hit New York. Hit Paris. 200,000 followers. After which simply slowly however absolutely attain the objectives after which make some new ones.
