JACOPO OLMO
Jacopo Olmo is a 32-year-old photographer, model and creative from Rome.
Identity.
“I define myself as an 'ANTI' person. I tend to go against everything that is in fashion and do whatever the hell I want. I don't care about what people think; that stopped interesting me a long time ago. I've always had my own opinions about things and have never compromised, even if it meant scorched earth around me. I can't bend to fake things or to rules that have no real essence. I seek out and create real experiences. I grew up between the city center of Rome and Ostia, where everyone had to be categorized and reflect the aesthetics and behaviors of everyone else. Even as a teenager, I was the odd one out. I was teased and called names, but I pursued my ideas and, over time, took my revenge. In Rome, I also learned to navigate between the world above and the world below. I can navigate the streets and understand their dynamics.”
London.
“I love Rome, but I have never felt Roman. I feel cosmopolitan. After high school, I left for London and lived there for a few years. I started traveling early, doing my own thing, and no one gave me anything. I always supported myself; I was never a kiss-ass. I arrived in London without knowing the English language. I worked in restaurants and clubs, including in the Soho area, where I came into contact with many musical and artistic subcultures. I saw a DJ set by Virgil Abloh, crossed paths with key figures in the rock scene, and collaborated with different artists. Every now and then, I find myself reflecting on my relationship with music. I regret not learning to play an instrument when I was young; I would have loved it. Maybe I’ll pick it up in the future…”
Style.
“My mother works in the hotel business, which allowed me to move around a lot and broaden my perspectives on the world. Since I was a child, I came into contact with different places and cultures, shaping my own taste and culture. It was a fundamental formative process. Wherever I was, I always tried to observe and draw from what was around me, reimagining it through my own essence. I still do that today. I am well aware that individual change and evolution are non-stop processes, especially in terms of personal expression, including clothing. I went through various phases, from hip-hop—when I was a 'Slim Shady guy'—to a disco-house period and British punk. Now I'm a mixture of all that, with some techno nuances.”
World.
“I have worked as a model in the U.S., traveling to New York, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, and L.A. I also worked frequently in Japan, where I fell in love with the country and its 'Kill Bill culture.' I have two katanas at home, I’m an avid manga and anime fan, and I even recently bought myself some Beyblades. I also love Mexico, where I've had the opportunity to spend time. In this case, the connection is for other reasons, such as tequila, because in my spare time, I’m also a bartender. In my life, I've always tried to do things that connect me with people—real people—and I’ve always been open to different opportunities. That's why Italy feels a bit too slow and complicated for me. And that’s why I’m leaving again soon to go back overseas.”
Self-expression.
“Modeling has always been a form of personal expression for me, and it naturally evolved in my 30s as I moved behind the lens. Photography is a way to convey who I am and what I see. I love to combine street and fashion vibes, drawing inspiration from two fundamental aspects of my imagery. I try to mix the aesthetics of 90s Tokyo with chic elements. Juergen Teller is definitely a source of inspiration for me, as his images capture the truths of the street. In general, I look for the action of the moment; I don’t like to rework reality. I don’t want to change or bend reality to suit my will; I want to avoid fiction in my shots.”
Anarchy and punk.
“I’m quite an anarchist. It means following my own instincts, not being stopped or conditioned by others, being impulsive, and constantly proving something to myself as well as to the world. Personally, I want to show that I have something inside me to express—and that I can do it without necessarily bending to certain logics or playing the game imposed by specific environments and conventions. It is complicated, but I remain true to myself. Being an anarchist means not selling your soul. It means being consistent, even at the cost of not being understood. These concepts inevitably intersect with punk. In London, I developed my punk attitude and a fascination for this subculture. Over the years, I have figured out how to express my essence; I have slightly blunted it, or rather, directed it, making it somewhat functional. At 32, I can manage myself; at 22 or 23, I wouldn’t have known how to do it. Then, every night I play Cyberpunk; it’s my favorite video game. When I think of punk, I can’t help but consider this atypical connection as well.”