How Rich Rocket Turned Self-Expression Into a Thriving Creative Career

Rich Rocket is a creative force and self-made visionary, turning his life into a stage of success. From barefoot days in a small town where creativity often clashes with conformity, Rich Rocket crafts bold fashion statements, embodying creative freedom with an edgy flair.

“I grew up, very country-like, back with no shoes and running around being chased by dogs, that whole kind of shebang,” Rich said. “But I always knew that wasn’t who I was always going to be.”

Rich’s journey wasn’t straightforward, but his writing began his creative evolution. In seventh grade, his reflection on 9/11, published in his local newspaper, first introduced him to storytelling and journalism. It wasn’t until college that Rich truly began experimenting with self-expression, diving into event production, hosting, journalism, graphic design, and eventually, fashion. 

While in college, Rich explored different opportunities, trying to figure out his next steps. He then became involved in several student organizations, which sparked his interest in hosting shows and creating clothes. 

“I started, you know, curating these talent exhibitions and putting myself in all these different kinds of like spotlight situations. And from there, I was like, okay, I know that what I want to do is in this realm, but I’m still figuring out what it is,” Rich said. “And I mean, to this day, I still feel like I’m figuring it out, but I found a way to make it look like I know what I’m doing.”

His break into fashion resulted in doing events and shows, where a lot of people would compliment the way that he dressed. 

“I dressed like a very fashionable grandfather, like, I just wore older clothes because I was the thrift store enthusiast. I’ve always been very much about that, Rich said. Ever since I bought my clothes. There’s always been like drugstore stuff or some kind of vintage aesthetic.” 

Shortly after, his style became more rock and roll with an edgy twist, moving him in the direction of vintage resale, showing up in pieces that he would make for himself, and Vintage Thrivals was born. For Rich, fashion isn’t just about clothes, it’s a tool for storytelling, creativity, and liberation. 

“For me, being unleashed as a creative person no longer means finding myself by like the conceptions or preconceived notions of what people will think about, Rich said.” 

Rich not only found his style, but he also found a love for hosting. “I would have to, like, fill in any space that we would have to fill. So we would throw these like events and student organization and talent showcases, whatever Rich said. And then no one would be hosting. So I’d be like, well, I just got to do it.” 

He started hosting events for the organizations he joined in college and discovered the beauty of hosting. “It’s the perfect in-between‌ like being a performer and like being a stand-up comedian. See, when a host comes on the stage, the only expectation you have of them is to be charismatic, Rich said. They don’t need to be anything but bright and shiny.”

Rich developed an aspiration for a bigger stage and audience, so he started working with the Raw Artist showcase while doing his open mic.

 “I really learned who I was as a host, like I gathered who I really was on the mic from those experiences, because like I said, it was never the same show, Rich said.” 

From hosting open mics to taking the stage at Afropunk, Rich’s charisma helped build his platform. The mindset behind his work is to prioritize how you look because it translates into how you feel. 

“I think the way that you feel usually is based on how you look. So if you look good, you feel good, you’re going to treat people good, Rich said. I always make sure that before I leave, before I step out of my house, that I look my best and I feel my best because I feel like that’s going to translate into everything that happens outside the door.” 

Rich shared how he romanticized the process of getting dressed and put emphasis on making sure that when he steps outside, he feels good. Rich then went into more detail about his success story and how it can inspire people who want to break into their careers and fall in love with the process.

“When I first started doing things or getting in the field, I always made sure to never ask people, How did you do it?” Rich said.

“If I had a question, I would specifically say, well, how did you get over this part? How did you get past this hurdle? But I would never just be like, How did you do it? How did it happen for you? Because I knew it wouldn’t happen to me that way.” 

He followed with not worrying about being perfect and staying authentic to what you present to your audience. 

“Be true about what you want out of what you create and the people who will authenticate it or will respect it, Rich said.” 

I asked Rich if he had any seeds he planted that he sees growing currently in his career, and he shared with me, “ I just ran into this lady at the airport, the singer from this band, and she just placed an order for a bunch of journals. And I was like, oh, that’s crazy. But she said, I think she would look cool in one of your jackets, Rich said.”

He then had to source a jacket because he only works with sustainable materials. This is without having any measurements provided by his client. “But anyway, find a jacket, make the jacket, get it to her. Yesterday, I woke up to her posting a video of her wearing the jacket at a performance for a Super Bowl event. And so that was just like, really cool to see an artist that has given me so much inspiration wear something that she inspired that I made, Rich said.” 

Today, Rich Rocket’s impact spans from fashion festivals across the U.S. to traveling across London, taking part in the House of Sedulo Nomadic Artist Residency. His mission remains to inspire others to break free from limiting narratives and embrace their full creative power. “Just keep an eye on Vintage Thrivals because we have a lot of work that we’re doing,” Rich said.