Escaping definitions and usual conventions is something Shaun Ross has been doing since he was a teenager. If the multifaceted American is known within fashion circles as a successful model challenging traditional notions of beauty, Ross is also a talented musician, actor and singer.

Last month, he released his debut album entitled ‘Shift’, a surprising RECORD with a soulful and dreamy quality. Ross does in fact quote Soul as one of his key musical influences, which he seamlessly pairs with electronic elements.

In this exclusive interview, Ross evokes one of his best fashion memories, developing as an artist and why the ALBUM freed him creatively.

Where are you right now?

My boyfriend surprised me with a trip to New York, my hometown, for my 30th birthday. I thought I was just coming here to visit my family, particularly my mother whom I hadn’t seen for months, but he had been planning this surprise thing all along with some of my friends.

“I feel liberated, because my entire mission with this album was to have something people could resonate with.”

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‘Shift’ is a beautiful album and an achievement as well. Can you tell me more about your creative process?

I’ve been doing music for the past 5 years now and the idea you usually start with for a song keeps changing and evolving until you actually get there. Putting this album together and working with different people felt really exciting and fun. I learned what my style was and how to behave in the studio, too. Coming from fashion, I had to learn what certain things were and how to talk to people within that context.

Is the learning part as stimulating as the creative act itself?

Definitely. When the pandemic started last year, I decided to learn how to play the piano by myself, which was also new for me.

Left Suit and shirt VALENTINORight Jumper and jacket BALENCIAGA — Left Suit and shirt VALENTINO
Right Jumper and jacket BALENCIAGA

Which similarities do you see between fashion and music?

Fashion and music are quite similar. A form of yourself goes out there within both disciplines so you have to make sure you are comfortable with whatever that form may be, meaning that execution’s a big thing. Designers put collections together, but an album is also a collection of sounds. The process behind perfecting a garment until it’s finally complete is very much the same as refining or tweaking a song. You may add different textures to it, or take some of those layers away. Once your music is out in the world, people will judge it, too, the same way critics judge designers.

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Right Full look BALENCIAGA

It does feel like you’ve put yourself out there. Is that scary or liberating?

I feel liberated, because my entire mission with this album was to have something people could resonate with. That’s also a statement about my identity. It says who I am.

Sounds pretty empowering. As a model, what are your best memories of this industry?

God, there are so many… I mean I’m 30 now, which isn’t old at all, but I was already traveling the world as a teenager. I got to experience so many different cities and cultures, which is something I’m very grateful for. Being older, I’m more conscious of this and appreciate it even more. I have a great memory of one Life Ball in Vienna, which was just incredible. I think it was in 2014 and Franca Sozzani’s last time doing the ball. She was such a warm and sweet woman, and I remember meeting Jean Paul Gaultier there and partying with David LaChapelle, Natalia Kills and Naomi Campbell afterwards.

Shaun_Roos_BTBOnline_BehindTheBlindsMagazine_extra2.jpg — “My own style is still developing, which I’m excited about.”

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Tunic SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO, pants FERRAGAMO and shoes PRADA

Did you enjoy modeling as a career or was it challenging?

Honestly, I enjoyed all of it. I can remember my start like it was yesterday, my first test shoot, first runway show or first time in Paris when all my freaking luggage got lost…

That is the ultimate Fashion Week nightmare.

I was so annoyed, didn’t speak any French and had no money either. It was a complete culture shock. My mom cheered me up and I started to embrace Paris, which I’ve loved to this day.