Not the Most Interesting Bunch
Rocco Richie openly acknowledged that he grapples with the implications of being a “nepotism kid,” candidly expressing his thoughts on other famous offspring, the influence of privilege, and the questionable sense of style among many men.
24-year-old artist, who is the son of pop icon Madonna and film director Guy Ritchie, has already showcased his work in six exhibitions so far, with the latest one being in Paris, backed by Giorgio Armani. Notable personalities like Stella McCartney and Donatella Versace are among his prestigious collectors.
By technicality, Rocco can be labeled as a “nepotism baby.” However, he has made it evident that he doesn’t identify with this term, referring to it as ‘they’ instead of ‘us.’
In a recent interview with Fantastic Man magazine, he expressed his doubts about being categorized within the “nepotism baby” group since, even though his parents are well-known figures, he’s actively forging his own career trajectory.
With great determination to establish himself in the artistic sphere, he initially hid his true professional identity, adopting the pseudonym ‘Rhed’.
However, in 2022, he abandoned his pen name, and the subsequent year, he showcased an exhibition in London that was curated by David Dawson, who previously managed Lucian Freud’s studio.
He mentioned: ‘It’s amusing to reflect on the past, where families spanning multiple generations were responsible for constructing some of the most breathtaking cathedrals that have ever been built.’
Now, if your background includes being born into a family, it often leads to focusing on the ‘nepotism kids,’ but let’s be honest, aren’t they less captivating?
Besides striving to shun the “nepotism baby” tag, Rocco openly shared his discomfort mingling among the elite social groups during his childhood – instead opting to spend time with skateboard enthusiasts at London’s South Bank.
Immediately, he exclaimed, “This feels like home; it’s where I want to spend the best years of my life.” But then he added, “To be honest, I don’t find the high society all that entertaining…
In my journey as an aspiring artist, I chose to depart from Central Saint Martins, the esteemed art institution in London, following a single year of enrollment. During my time there, a mentor offered constructive criticism on my work, remarking that my paintings were perceived as overly masculine. This feedback, though challenging at the time, served as a catalyst for me to explore new artistic avenues and develop my unique style.
‘I think he was trying to say it was vulgar. And I didn’t think it was vulgar,’ he reflected.
At the age of eighteen, I was creating rather unpolished abstract art; at that point, my work wasn’t advanced enough for others to form opinions about it.
He transferred to the Royal Drawing School in Shoreditch, where he finally felt at home.
In his own words: ‘That place made all my dreams a reality. What I needed was a school where I could learn to sketch and paint. I enrolled, walked in, and spent approximately 1.5 years, seven hours every day, merely drawing. No homework was required; they simply told me to focus on drawing.’
Distinctive in his fashion choices, Rocco, who has a fondness for tweed and three-piece suits, much like his father, has been vocal about his critical opinion on contemporary men’s fashion trends.
As a lifestyle connoisseur, let me rephrase that in a more contemporary context: ‘Men’s fashion… I find myself shying away from the weight this term carries. It’s transformed significantly over time. On social media platforms like Instagram, there are numerous individuals who proudly share their ensembles, saying, “This is what I’m wearing today!
It seems people are quite keen on displaying their purchases and fashion choices. frankly, it doesn’t faze me either way. However, it feels a bit unnecessary, if you ask me.”
This version is more polite and less confrontational while still conveying the original message.
It’s different from just entering a room and exclaiming, ‘Wow, check out that self-assured individual!’ Or walking into a room and asking, ‘What on earth are you wearing?’
As a dedicated admirer, let me express that the boundary between fashionable and underdressed seems almost indistinguishable at times. It’s not to brag or boast, but it seems many men might need a gentle nudge in the right sartorial direction.
He comments: ‘I believe Savile Row is facing a decline. Selling there nowadays can be quite challenging. It’s costly and the process involves numerous fittings over an extended period, with the final product ready after a year. Isn’t it questionable whether you’d want to invest £5,000 in a suit under such conditions?’
In 1999, Madonna, who is now 66 years old, began dating Guy Ritchie, aged 56 at the time. The two crossed paths at a gathering thrown by their mutual friends Sting and Trudie Styler.
In the year 2000, they exchanged wedding vows, but they parted ways after eight years. Moreover, they are parents to David Banda, who is now 19 years old and was adopted by them from an orphanage in Malawi back in 2006.
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2025-04-25 15:03