Next up to feature on our BLUP 50 list is Jermaine Robinson, creative consultant and stylist who has worked with artists including KSI and Kaleem Taylor. He has explored new narratives through fashion styling since he was 16 and has developed a unique perspective in styling within commercial, fashion, film and music.

We delved into Jermaine’s story to discover more about his influences, style in his journey so far.

// DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN ONE WORD

Character.

// HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE TODAY?

My friend in the US says it is Goth Girl. Kind of makes sense as recently I wore a gold cross necklace layered on top with a silver cuban chain, black leather waistcoat, denim quarter length shorts and Black Sabbath DC skating trainers. I guess he’s right!  Shouts to Venus X also!

// HOW DID YOU BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY INTO FASHION AND FREELANCE STYLING?

I assisted both Anna Trevelyn and Matthew Josephs for various projects at the beginning. Then I was flown to Italy to assist Avena Gallagher as a dresser at the Teflar Pitti Uomo show which was hands down the best fashion experience I have had outside London. The afterparty was fucking great as it was in a castle in Florence! I tons of cool people some of which I am still in contact with – Although I was styling freelance the entire time whilst assitings, my career started as a stylist primarily in the music biz around 2019 but since it’s crossed over into more commercial, editorial and film.

// BEING ON YOUR CREATIVE JOURNEY SO FAR, WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WOULD TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

I 100% would say to him to believe in yourself. You’re enough!

// WHAT’S YOU GO-TO SONG RIGHT NOW (OF 2022)?

Miss The Rage (feat. Playboi Carti) – Trippie Redd.

// WHAT’S A MOMENT OR PIECE OF WORK YOU’RE MOST PROUD OF?

I‘m proud of the job I styled for the Nike x Thiiird Magazine. Styling a Nike campaign is like unlocking a new level in a game as a stylist. It was something that was on my bucket list since the beginning of my career. Aside from that, the project was very special too. Styling outside of the entertainment industry is always a felt good feeling especially if it within the community as it feels very grassrootsish similar to the spirit of giving back.

// HOW HAVE YOU SPOILED YOURSELF THIS YEAR?

No 🙁 I haven’t spoiled myself although I am away most of September. That’s this year’s treat to myself.

// YOU’VE BEEN INVITED TO THE MET GALA 2023…WHAT YOU WEARING?

Invited to the Met Gala 2023? Lol I’m probably going to say Diesel (although costume made), it’s my favourite brand right now!

// IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANY BRAND OF YOUR CHOICE, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

If I could collaborate with any brand or person right now? I’m a big fan of Steven Klein’’s photographer work. Would love to work with him on something maybe, one day.

// WHAT’S RECENTLY CAUGHT YOUR ATTENTION ON INSTAGRAM / TIKTOK?

@_ikeuchi – I came across the Japanese artist, designer and model on Instagram from a Metal Magazine editorial. His works are really fascinating to me! Research says he is globally renowned for his high-tech futuristic designs, modern accessories and robotic figures that shake our rudimentary grasp of electronic or computerized gadgets.

// WHAT EXCITING PLANS OR THINGS ARE ON JERMAINE’S 2022/23 BUCKET LIST?

Haha I can’t tell you that. You’ll have to see once they are manifested.

// WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO CONTINUE IN YOUR CRAFT?

It’s the desire to continue going, being a freelancer is no joke however September I will be approaching three years as a stylist and creative consultant that alone will have me going further, it’s more the long term win that continues to keep me motivated.

FOLLOW JERMAINE’S JOURNEY

Instagram: @jermainerrobinson

TikTok @jermainericardorobinson

Website: www.cargocollective.com/jermainerobinson

Next on our BLUP 50 list is London’s Riya Hollings, but a Berlin-based director and photographer. Coming from a fashion editorial background, her style of photography is seductive and surreal. Moving fluidly through genres, she is able to build visual narratives and unique concepts for commercials and clients which include Revolut, Sony, Warner Music. Universal and Atlantic Records.

We delved into Riya’s story to discover her stimulative aesthetic which fuses film and digital to create a kaleidoscope of thought provoking imagery, blending lucid colour and dynamic movement with an atmospheric feel.

// DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN ONE WORD

Driven.

// TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT YOURSELF

My background is in fashion where I completed a design degree at the University of Leeds and then decided to move to London to ‘find myself’. I started interning for a few major fashion players, working on editorials for the likes of POP, LOVE, iD, DAZED, PONYSTEP to name a few. While I was keen to pursue my career in fashion, the underground club photography I had been doing through university had started to lead onto bigger things. I soon decided that I wanted to merge this gap and start shooting the music artists I was working with in a more editorial way. I still continued with my styling alongside the photography and integrated a lot of it into my current portfolio.

Since the end of 2020 I moved to Berlin to write and direct my first short film ‘CHOKE’ which is currently in post production. Alongside directing music videos for Universal Berlin, I have now decided to focus my energy on directing, alongside my photography, and I’m currently in discussions with a few creative representatives for this.

// HOW DID YOU BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY IN PHOTOGRAPHY AND WHAT HELPED GROW YOUR PASSION FOR IT?

I worked in nightclubs for over a decade, capturing the dark atmosphere and energy of the people within it. It felt as though I existed only at night. I was drawn to the lifestyle of working in clubs, it was addictive. The coloured lighting, lasers, strobes, smoke, the sweat on peoples skin, it felt strangely like home. I carry a lot of this energy into my work today and will always be the root of my inspiration. My passion for visual art is never ending, it is a constant evolution. Its multifaceted nature keeps me constantly engaged, it’s like a drug you want to keep on chasing.

// BEING ON YOUR CREATIVE JOURNEY SO FAR, WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WOULD TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

Leeds was a great university and I really got to know a lot about myself there. However if you know that this type of career is really what you want to do, try and get yourself into a London school from the get go. The connections you will make through schools such as CSM or LCF could be invaluable to your career as an artist. If university is not the path for you, going straight into an internship is also an amazing thing to do.

// WHAT’S YOU GO-TO SONG RIGHT NOW (OF 2022)?

That is a super hard question aha – currently listening to FKA twigs’ Caprisongs, Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, and Kia Ora 10’s Spellspellspell.

// WHAT’S A MOMENT OR PIECE OF WORK YOU’RE MOST PROUD OF?

My short film CHOKE. CHOKE is a  prospective dream of eventuality. A short film set in Berlin 2222. This is a story of perpetual escapism and enlightenment, blurring the lines between a conscious reality and simulated fantasy. ‘Life perpetuates itself through diversity. Neither modern science or philosophy can explain what life is. DNA is just a program designed to preserve itself.’ This is the new age of consciousness.   

I wanted to make a film with homage to my favourite old sci-fi movies. When I was 6 years old I stole my dad’s VHS copy of Blade Runner. I watched it repeatedly in secret, it felt so bad, I was obsessed with it.

When I moved to Berlin at the end of 2020 I was completely lost and felt like I didn’t belong anywhere. I spent months during lockdown alone in my flat, a new existence that felt so foreign to the one I had before. The brutalist nature of the city, its wild weather and unpredictable terrain, it changed something in me. It gave me the clarity I needed to push forward. Inspired by this stark and bleak environment, it was the visual direction I had been searching for. I feel like at the time, the film was an honest expression of my past and present realities combined. I am looking forward to sharing more about it with everyone soon!

// IF YOU COULD SPEND A DAY & ENJOY DINNER WITH ANY PERSON IN YOUR INDUSTRY TO PICK THEIR BRAINS, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

Probably Tarantino.

// WHAT’S THE NEXT ITEM ON YOUR WISHLIST?

I actually just bought a Sony Handycam DCR-TRV265E Digital 8 to replace my older model. Something that had been on my wish list for a while.

// IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANY BRAND OF YOUR CHOICE, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

Difficult question. I really want to get into making car adverts so I guess Tesler would be a good fit with the current climate.

// WHAT’S RECENTLY CAUGHT YOUR ATTENTION ON INSTAGRAM / TIKTOK?

I try and stay away from social media as much as possible but of course it is part of the gig to stay relevant. I do however enjoy the profiles of @diet_prada & @iamfuckingmagic

// LOVED YOUR RECENT WORK WITH REVOLUT AND SAMSUNG…SO WE’D LOVE TO KNOW WHAT ELSE HAS PERSONALLY CAUGHT YOUR ATTENTION IN THE TECH SPACE SO FAR THIS YEAR?

I am really inspired by brands who are utilising sustainable energy as part of their ethos and product direction. This is something I would like to be more involved in. Creating narratives with ideas of a greener future, and how by using technology we can open our minds to the endless resources and possibilities available to us.

// DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING EXCITING IN THE MAKING FOR 2022/2023 THAT WE SHOULD KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR?

My new film CHOKE – Watch this space.

// WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO CONTINUE IN YOUR CRAFT?

Like most things, if you are addicted to it, you keep doing it. I think this is a healthy thing though aha.

FOLLOW RIYA’S JOURNEY

Instagram: @riyahollings

Website: www.riyahollings.com

We’re finally back with another BLUP50 feature, this time with London-based DJ, broadcaster, and creative producer Vanessa Maria. She continues to advocate mental health through music with a variety of projects, including the “Don’t Keep Hush” initiative, which she has helped grow over the past few years.

We delve deeper into her early experiences in radio, her big plans for this year, such as podcasting, and the challenges she has to work through in order to thrive in her multifaceted career. With these wins, it is evident that Vanessa Maria is a trailblazer who has built a reputation for herself in her industry by working hard and consistently pushing the boundaries. Read on as she shares her sources of creative inspiration while also imparting some life lessons for all of us to remember.

// DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN ONE WORD.

Introspective or silly – but I’ll go with introspective!

// YOU’RE DEFINITELY A MULTIDISCIPLINARY CREATIVE WHO DOES MANY THINGS, WAS DJING THE FIRST THING YOU BEGAN WITH? 

I actually started off doing radio. I would break down my psychology lectures on the show, bringing in topics that were the typical ‘entertainment’ topics like love and attachment theories. It actually helped me solidify ideas in my studies – I thought it was a sick concept at the time.

I learned to DJ the year after I graduated university, I was a student officer at my university. The janitor (big up Andrew) would help me set up decks during my lunch break from the DJ society. That was really the start.

// WAS THERE A BIG MOMENT WHERE EVERYTHING JUST CHANGED FOR YOU? 

I don’t think there were any ‘big moments’ but there were more consistent ‘smaller’ moments. I won a foundation FM DJ competition, so I then DJ’ed at Wireless, which was an introduction to the music world [for me].

// YOU RECENTLY SHARED ON INSTAGRAM HOW IT CAN BE LONELY AS A DJ. TALK A BIT MORE ABOUT HOW ‘DON’T KEEP HUSH’ PROJECT CAME ABOUT.

With that post, I didn’t realise how many people felt the same. It’s sad, but I also found it ironic and kind of funny because we’re all feeling the same way. I also have performance anxiety so it can really affect me, whether it’s a new place, new city, or even home events.

Don’t Keep Hush is a collaboration with Fred, founder of Keep Hush, an underground music community. We’ve been a bit quiet this year but we’ve done fundraising events, sold T-shirt merch, panels, and hosted a night to support Black Minds Matter. The next objective is to start a monthly supper club which will be called ‘Spinning Plates’. We want to have a community focused space outside of the parties so we’ll have open decks, people cooking and we’ll eat together and talk about whatever’s on our minds.

// DO YOU HAVE A GO TO STYLE OR FAVOURITE FASHION BRAND YOU LIKE WEARING?

I thought about this – I don’t think I have a favourite fashion brand. I live in tracksuits.

For next year, I really wanna start getting more into thrifting and wearing secondhand clothing. I hosted a panel for Depop and it really made me think more about circular fashion and also sustainability so I’m trying to think about how I can purchase and keep it sustainable.

When it comes to occasions like Halloween, I know exactly how I would want to look. It wouldn’t matter where the items are from – could be from Prada, could be from Primark! But Zendaya is a style icon for me, she never misses!

// HOW DO YOU SWITCH OFF?

I think this year I’ve definitely learned how to do that. If you’re going through life fast ahead and you don’t care about your health, you won’t stop until you have a problem with your health – that will humble you. I have pre premenstrual dysphoric disorder so that was humbling for me because I have to focus on my wellbeing and energy – that’s helped me switch off. Also exercising, reconnecting with friends and family is always a nice way to switch off.

// HOW DID BEGIN YOUR AWARD WINNING DOC, ‘WHEN WELLBEING IS WHITE’? 

At the time I didn’t know anything about film & documentary, so I just tweeted about my idea and then from the tweet, I built a team. I didn’t have any budget, it was just a passion project but I was lucky enough that people wanted to get involved.

A lot of the freelancers, even from BBC, were helping me through the process of how to basically produce documentaries. We’d write a script, find narratives and find the talent who would be involved. I was doing a lot of it in my spare time.

// FOR MULTIFACETED AMBITIOUS CREATIVES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE ON HOW TO BALANCE THINGS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE’S SO MANY THINGS WE CAN DO ?

I would ask yourself what season you’re in at the moment, what is bringing you joy and where your interests lie. Focus on what is that fire in your belly.

I think a lot of the time, especially as young people, we see one thing and we’re like “that’s what I’m gonna do for the rest of my life”. But that one thing can open doors to a lot of other things. If you don’t know exactly what you want to do, just give things a go and something will stick more than something else. It’s easier to say you don’t like something than liking it – that’s what I did when I started. It doesn’t feel like you are progressing, but you are because you already know what you don’t wanna do – which is great.

// GO TO SONG OF THE YEAR (2022)? 

Sticky – Drake and also Slizzy Like – Cash Cobain

// WHAT’S RECENTLY SOMETHING THAT’S CAUGHT YOUR ATTENTION ON TIKTOK/INSTAGRAM?

A platform and magazine called New Currency, ran by an amazing creative and all around visionary called Kazeem. He’s from Toronto, and he came down and connected with almost the whole of London in like a week! He brought his magazine down to London and held a 2 day festival at 180 Strand – full of workshops, art, music. That really inspired me because I know how hard he works on that.

I’ve also started hopping on TikTok which has really inspired me as a platform recently. I used to think it wasn’t for me but then I realised it’s an amazing place to share as a creative. It’s nice to see it used in a different way – the way they use TikTok in a way that’s subversive is amazing.

I also love the work GUAP is doing and all the work they’re doing to support and uplift other creatives, as well as Shannie Mears FSRA at the Elephant Room.

// WHAT IS A COLLABORATION THAT MEANT THE MOST TO YOU?

The RA x Black Minds Matter podcast. It was just amazing to have the focus on music and mental health as the underlying driver and theme throughout the series. We then turned that into a short documentary with Fauzia and Damn Shaq which was a great experience.

// WHICH BRANDS WOULD YOU LOVE TO COLLABORATE WITH?

When it comes to brands, I like thinking out of the box. I’d love to do a project or DJ on top of a train for national rail, dj under a waterwall for a national park, or collab with some skincare brands to tailormake some products for the clurb.

I would also love to work with Nike, Carhartt and Converse.

// IS THE ‘NOTION X NO BOUNDARIES’ SERIES COMING BACK?

Yes, me and my friend, Stacey Olika are bringing it back for 2023. The focus is on Bristol as the project is to support up and coming creatives outside of London. Everything is so London centric and there isn’t really a base or spot for people doing things outside.

// DO YOU LISTEN TO PODCASTS ?

I do but I listen to ones that many people would not expect me to listen to! The main one is Andy Huberman – it’ll cover things like gut health or he’ll break down depression or the science of love / relationships from a biological perspective. But he won’t just talk about the topics, he’ll have fresh research that came out like from last week. Then on the opposite scale, I love the Receipts Podcast! I also like the Party of One Podcast which is more self help/motivation – I love the way she breaks down concepts on TikTok.

// WHAT’S NEXT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST? 

I’m most looking forward to starting a podcast and more festivals, international bookings, gigs, more amazing guests lined up for radio. I also wanna train as a therapist on the side.

// WHAT’S BEEN YOUR BIGGEST LESSON YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE? 

When thinking about where you are at, eliminate the word ‘should’. ‘Should’ holds you back and feeds into your deepest insecurities. When people say stuff like, oh, “I should have done this, or I should have done this by this age…”  This can turn into such a barrier to the point where some people actually just give up or they stop.

You are where you need to be and there’s nothing to say that you can’t get to where you wanna go. It’s just a matter of opportunities, time, effort and consistency.

I’ve seen that the year is always bigger than you – I’m grateful for every opportunity.  You are a moving part in someone else’s story and also in someone else’s moment of glory, so it’s amazing to find gratitude in that as well.

FOLLOW VANESSA MARIA’S JOURNEY 

Instagram: @nessamariaw

Portfolio / Site: www.vanessamariawilson.com

Don’t Keep Hush: @dontkeephush