In our newest interview series, we introduce you to the people who inspire us most: creatives, educators, activists, community leaders and the everyday super-humans who keep us on our toes. We’ll take you inside their day-to-day lives, homes and workspaces. We’ll talk motivation and inspiration and of course, all things style.
Meet our January Monthly Muse, Jerrod La Rue—a Silver Lake-based photographer, model and professional plant parent (yes, it’s a thing!). Born in Palmdale, California, this once introspective outcast spent his high school days lost in the fantasy of internet gaming. Now, he rules his worlds online and off, exploring his artistic expression through word and photo, caring for 111 plants of his own and guiding those less naturally inclined through the ins and outs of flora care. All the while, serving major looks that inspire even the most stylistically stunted. Read on to learn more about Jerrod in his own words.
Photographer, model and…plant consultant. Tell us a bit about the latter.
I grew up around plants. My mom loved her plants—possibly more than us. Having the exposure to her garden growing up created a familiarity and respect between me and nature which I didn’t really think about until I started working in interior design.
One designer I worked with was big on sourcing tropical plants from Brazil...but didn't really know how to take care of them. I knew how to take care of the plants, because of my mom obviously, so I just jumped in and from there, I started learning more and more. Now I’m officially an interior landscaper, so I do a lot of plant consulting, plant curating, bringing plants into spaces and knowing what's best for them. Knowing all this stuff about plants is really beautiful.
There's nothing wrong with working your way up the scale of experience.
Any advice for new plant parents?
Don't try to buy the most expensive plant just because you saw it on Instagram. There are so many really, really pretty and really, really expensive plants out there—and they're all extremely hard to take care of. I know what it’s like: You’re excited. But then it dies. And there went hundreds of dollars. There's nothing wrong with working your way up the scale of experience. Try starting off with a pothos and work your way up from there.
Where does photography fit into your world?
Photography is my number one passion and my first love, always. I'll never not be passionate about that process. For me, photography is expressing and creating. When I shoot, the process of it all is like I'm writing down my emotions. It's a really beautiful sync of my eye with my mood. Plants and modeling come after.
Modeling I love because it teaches me how to be more extroverted. My entire life, I’d been an introvert. I used to stay home playing World of Warcraft. I was in one of the best guilds in all of the United States. Now, I’m in a place where I'm walking runways. Modeling has been really important for my personal development, but it's a different kind of love from photography for sure.
I went and found space where I could be the person I actually wanted to be.
You’ve touched on your struggle with identity and self-acceptance. How’d you make the mental leap to where you are today?
I had to find out who I actually was. Living in a suburban desert town like Palmdale, where everything’s an hour’s drive away, instilled a wanting in me. Knowing there was more out there pushed me to explore outside of my comfort zone. In high school, I just wanted to fit in. But once that was over, I didn't have any more peers to impress and finally started paying attention to what makes me happy. I went and found space where I could be the person I actually wanted to be.
I see myself as a Black anime character who loves plants, drinking water and expressing my emotions.
How does your identity influence your style?
I see myself as a Black anime character who loves plants, drinking water and expressing my emotions. I say anime because the outfits are so ridiculous—nothing makes sense. Like wearing a giant shirt that’s cut tight but still hanging. The process of putting outfits together is extremely fun which adds an element of play, like with anime.
If I had to define my style, it’d be hard to pick one genre. I love ’50s for its zoot suit movement: three-piece oversized gangster suits with a tie and overcoat. Outfit sets are really fun and easy. And then, ’70s men's funk fashion for its extremely tight shirts and really high-waisted long bell-bottom pants. And even the late 1800s, early 1900s for all their workwear silhouettes. My style is all of these things clashing together.
Who or what is your biggest muse?
My biggest muse is the ocean. Going to the beach at different times of day is the most inspirational thing for me. I probably go 10 times a month or even more depending on how I feel. There’s something about being there that reduces me. It brings me back to the feelings of my five-year-old self. I find the raw emotions inspiring and of course, the sunsets.
Also, my monstera. I bought her in 2016 when I was really, really broke. I think I had $30 to last me the whole week. But I went to this plant store and saw her hanging in the back, totally ignored and getting very little light, all wrapped up on herself. It was a plant I wanted for a long time and it cost $16. So the internal debate starts: Do I eat this week or do I get this plant? I ended up buying the plant and it was the best decision ever. A few days later I was able to sell a print which made it possible to keep my plant and eat dinner. She’s shown me so much love. I’ve made so many cuttings and given them to so many people. And she’s still doing so amazingly.
