“Camcored” with Conrad Roselt

At only 24 years old the freelance stylist Conrad Roselt has quite some stories to tell with an impressive resume to go alongside. Departing home soil in pursuit of a career in fashion, Roselt relocated to New York in 2010 accompanied with a fashion degree.

Photo: Tim Hulme

The move ensured Roselt the chance of working with avant-garde stylist Nicola Formichetti, the Creative Director for Mugler and Lady Gaga. Igniting his fashion career is a vital step in moving up the industry ladder – and, so far, it seems this young Joburg-based creative seems to be climbing in style. Roselt‘s latest work sees him filming a raunchy fashion shoot on an iPhone. Kurt Mullins caught up with Conrad for some insight.

Where and how do you find inspiration for your work?

I wouldn’t necessarily say that I need inspiration for all my work, it’s sometimes just a thought process or idea that I have but I do find inspiration in music, interesting people and online.

Your style seen in your new fashion video – Camcorded – is reminiscent of the Noir medium.

I wanted to do something dark and sexy, I wanted the film to be effortless and I basically let the clothes and styling set the mood for the film.

When it comes to fashion capitals – New York, Milan, Paris, Tokyo and London are undoubtedly high on the list. What drew you to the Big Apple instead all of the others?

In New York is Nicola Formichetti’s studio, which is where I worked, and it is also the media capital of the world. NYC is the one place with endless possibilities and opportunities. I’m also happy that I went to NY because I got to attend the New York Fashion week.

The Fashion film I did was a personal project and to expand my portfolio and explore new media like fashion film. the whole video was shot with a handheld camera.

Photo : Tim Hulme

Carrying the awareness of both the local and the American fashion scenes, what would you say is the one aspect that sets South Africa apart?

I think that South Africans have so much ambition and have to work much harder to get somewhere because the industry is so small and opportunities run low. Because SA has such a small fashion scene, it is necessary to cater to everyone and that I think holds us back.

What have you learnt and taken from working with a name force as Nicola Formichetti?

I’ve learnt that you need to listen to your own voice and stay true to your signature/style. Also to eat, sleep and drink – in whatever industry you’re in – in order to be successful.

Photo : Tim Hulme

Who would you consider working with next?

Locally I am still on the lookout for someone interesting and original but I would really love to style Iggy Azalea.

Fashion has recently been circling around trends like ‘New Prep’ and also ’Urban Jungle’ – what are some trends that you would like to be see for our 2012 Spring/Summer?

I love the new kind of trashy chic look that is going around, finding inspiration in African American woman and Latina culture in the Bronx / Brooklyn. Steven Meisel did a shoot called Haute Mess for Vogue Italia that explains it all.

The South African fashion industry boasts a few big names in contrast to its size, any tips for the young and upcoming?

Put yourself out there, do something no-one else is doing. Digital is the way to go and never stop doing what you love.

Photo : Tim Hulme

I would like to work with emerging young designers and push the boundaries of what south africa see/perceive as Fashion and to start up my own label in the near future.

Words: Kurt Mullins

Images : Tim Hulme