O’Shea Robertson has a presence about him. One that has allowed him to become one of the most recognisable faces in the fashion scene in the nine-plus years he has been modelling. The 6ft. 3inch model has worked with fashion heavyweights from Versace and Calvin Klein to Moschino and Givenchy and has graced the pages of some of the most prominent magazine titles of our time, GQ, Hunger, I-D and Wonderland. He is also one of the cover boys for this issue of Sagaboi.
Robertson was discovered at the age of 16 by a fellow model, Ash Stymest and the self-proclaimed technology addict has undoubtedly made his mark on the fashion scene which growing up between foster homes in North London did not foretell. With consistent appearances at the major fashion weeks, heavy commercial work and significant editorial features in print and online, he is certainly one of the top black male models of the now.
Q&A
Tell us a bit about your heritage/background?
OR: To be honest, I am not 100% sure. I don’t know my father, but my mother is Jamaican.
How were you discovered?
OR: I was discovered on a 119 bus while travelling from high school in Croydon, South London. But it almost didn’t happen. I had just finished my art exam and my girlfriend at the time, Chloe, wanted to go shopping, and my mates wanted to go to the park. As Chloe was with her friends already, I sided with my boys. There were two buses, the 119 and 198. The 119 went to the park. Had I decided to go shopping, I may not have been here right now.
Funniest moment on the job?
OR: Probably when DSquared2 did an all-black show, and we had a party backstage OR Opening Givenchy and closing behind Naomi Campbell and watching all the phones in the audience DISAPPEAR once she had walked past.
What do you want to see change in the fashion industry?
OR: I would like to see more diversity, obviously. I would also like to see hair stylists that can do black hair and makeup artists that can do black skin. PLEASE don’t call yourself either of the above if you can’t do everything. If you can only do “western” hair or makeup, please change your title with the additional prefix.
What would you change about the world?
OR: I would like to change the way that we waste produce. It’s so ghastly to think that while half the world is dying from starvation, the other half is trying to lose weight/throw away buckets of food weekly.”
What do you see yourself doing after modelling?
OR: That is the question, most likely something to do with technology/computer software.
If you can chill with anyone, dead or alive, who would that be?
It would probably have to be Barack Obama. I would love to hear the hardships he had to deal with to become America’s first African-American president.
Who would you like to meet and why?
OR: I would like to meet Donald Trump just to ask him: WHY?!
Greatest accomplishment?
OR: My greatest accomplishment!! I haven’t accomplished it yet.
So, what inspires O’Shea?
OR: The idea that we haven’t figured out our universe & knowing that there is so much more to discover. That inspires me.
Best advice you’ve received?
OR: The best piece of advice I have ever been given is probably from my mum. “Manners & respect will carry you through this world.”
What do you want people to know about you?
OR: I would like people to know that I am just a super chill dude. I have no ego and I like to think that I treat people equally. From a homeless person to the Queen. Same treatment. Both are human.
